Western US Guided Elk - Without Preference Points - Recommendations?

[Heeler75]

A New Mexico outfitter that can get landowner tags is your best bet. And the good outfitters are probably 3 years out for openings.

Draw odds suck everywhere right now - even New Mexico using an outfitter. High demand areas are well under 50%. In addition, some New Mexico outfitters are allowing DIYs to apply using their outfitter number in hopes of increasing odds. But in reality, it's diminishing chances.

Wyoming 2024 took 5 points to draw a general license. I went to Wyoming in 2023 - I had 4 points going into the special draw for a general license. I drew with 33% odds - the year before was 100%. Point being (pun intended) is that the point creep in Wyoming is only going to get worse. Not to mention guys who have 10 plus points hoping to draw a LQ unit are realizing they'll never draw in that and are going to say heck with it and go for a general license.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Your options are

1) Apply and hunt Random Draw state (ID, NM) where there are no points and risk part of your group not drawing

2) Hunt OTC Colorado where they’re slashing back OTC permits, BUT yall can get a point each year for the next year or two before you go to draw something

3) Purchase a land owner voucher in NM, UT (CWMU), CO (RFW) from one of the many guides & outfitters. A decent hunt in a unit that produces 270-300” bull will likely be right in-line with your $12-15k budget at current pricing

4) Hunt some of the guaranteed outfitter tags in Idaho. Since outfitters own their concession areas they still have OTC elk tags for hunters booked with them. You can hunt some of the famed wilderness areas like Frank Church, Hells Canyon, and Gospel Hump OTC by booking with the outfitter who holds that concession

5) build a couple points in Wyoming to try and hunt there in a couple years. You can also try to find someone with a lot of points who doesn’t care about the unit and get them to apply with you so it averages out.

6) draw a general permit in Montana or Wyoming that can sometimes be drawn with no points


A lot of outfitters offer horseback hunts but from my experience they’re much more common in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming with most every outfitter hunting a wilderness area using horse & mules.

 

[cpr0312]

Colorado and Idaho

 

[YancyW]

Check CWO

About Us - Comanche Wilderness Outfitters

About Us How It Started Scott Limmer, manager of Comanche Wilderness Outfitters (CWO), started the business in 1991. Growing up in South Dakota on family property bordering the Black Hills National Forest, Scott developed a love for the outdoors through hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing...

comanchewildernessoutfitters.com

This is where I would start also for a CO hunt, Scott is a very good guy, took a bunch of time to help me talk through CO hunting options. For Elk or Mulie, I would at least give him a ring and chat.

 

[Sheldor]

could definitely do it in montana for 10k all in. archery or rifle, but the rifle permit would be a tough draw. archery almost garunteed. 280-320 class bulls, i know people personally who hunt the same outfitter every year archery and have harvested 3 of 5 years and one of those years they lost the animal and the other he missed the only shot. so 100% shot opportunity over 5 years.

 

[dhoover]

I've had good luck in the Frank Church with a couple different outfitters and also with CWMU tags in Utah. They are very different hunts, however. Idaho is the classic pack trip, and you will most likely want to shoot the first bull you see, if you want elk meat for the winter. In Utah CWMU you should see a lot of bulls and in theory the hunt will be not as rugged. Both hunts are great, just different.

 

[DJStang]

I've hunted the Frank Church in Idaho back in 2016, and CMWU tag in Utah the following year. Struck out in Idaho (going back this fall though), but got a 326 inch 6x6 bull in Utah. My buddy hunts Colorado OTC every year, but as most people have stated it's over hunted and has smaller bulls. I looked into New Mexico and there are some good places to hunt, but costlier. All of these options should be within your budget.

 

[WAB]

Have you looked into the Alaskan islands with resident elk herds. When I lived up there some of my buddies hunted raspberry island every year and were very successful.

 

[jimbo1972]

Call Worldwide Trophy Adventures. It’s Cabelas booking service. I always use Dino as he is a guide and hunter. He can give you dozens of options in that price range, plus you have them as leverage with outfitters vs a single client. I have priced hunts using a booking service like WTA and without and don’t see a cost difference.

https://worldwidetrophyadventures.com/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADRSBRoEbgfYAA6rMI_XbdeQi6F8f&gclid=CjwKCAjwodC2BhAHEiwAE67hJEm2DG8SEsdSZsJtk-id64jFyZymnAgGXWstOprYs7ZshtjkluptjBoC_l8QAvD_BwE

 

[Doug3006]

A lot of outfitters in New Mexico offer private land hunts. They have landowner tags you can purchase. Not cheap, but if you can swing it, you’ll for sure go hunting.