Need a recommendation please

scpaisley · Oct 16, 2009

Ok, first off a little back history here. My father in law that I have been going hunting with for the past 7yrs was in a bad accident back in August. Long story short, the front bucket of a backhoe came down on his head and pinned him to a 2 ton concrete block. Thankfully he survived that and has since recovered to the point where he wants to hunt now. Big guy missed the archery season with me, totally bummed him out.

What I need is a recommendation on an Elk hunt, one of those guided, lodging, meals, tag, and all that are provided. He would like to go after a monster bull. Seeing as this will probably be the only time either of us could afford such a hunt, he wants to make it worth it with a nice wall hanger. So I need some help in finding something that fits the bill. I don't mind if its here in CO or UT, NV, NM, MT, WY, wherever the majority of you recommend. I would appreciate it greatly, thank you.

"I'll have the elk steak with a side of Jack Daniels please"

txhunter58 · Oct 16, 2009

Need more info:

This year or next? Budget? Physical limitations?

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

nmwapiti · Oct 16, 2009

It aint cheap, but I recommend Vermejo Park Ranch in New Mexico. It is 600,000 acres of the most beautiful elk country you will ever see. No high fences here! In fact, almost no fences at all! You will see more elk than you could ever imagine. Average bulls are 320+. Food and lodging is 1st class all the way. If its a once in a lifetime deal, I would go there!! The hunt can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it.

scpaisley · Oct 16, 2009

This year would be preferrable. Budget isn't a huge issue, something around 4k or so per hunter, not real sure on that, neither of us have been on a hunt like that before so not sure how much it might cost. The only real physical limitation would be a need to take a break every once in a while if he has to walk a good distance.

We also don't want to do any of those hunts with the 10 or 12 foot high fences. Never been a fan of those, not really a hunt in my opinion. Horseback is fine as well. We are looking at this as a once in a lifetime deal.

We have never had the funds to make something like this happen before and I'm not banking on those lotto tickets every hittin the right combo haha. So its a one time thing for us and I want to make it as good as possible for him. Thanks again for all the help!

"I'll have the elk steak with a side of Jack Daniels please"

txhunter58 · Oct 16, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Oct-17-09 AT 06:00AM (MST)[p]Sad to say, but $4000 probably won't get near a true high success trophy hunt. For that price you are probably looking at a decent hunt with 40-50% odds at a decent 5x5 raghorn bull. The one mentioned about is about $12,000 and I think they have a couple of years waiting list. The best chance for a trophy is during the rut, and you already missed that this year.

I would research New Mexico landowner tags and see what you can find. Might find a good hunt in Montana (but would also have to pay extra for the landowner tag as well).

Bottom line is it is kind of late to find a quality hunt for this year. You might conisder planning for next fall if that is a possibility. Delayed gratification can be sweet! Then you and him have a whole year to research, plan, and dream. That is half the fun.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

WVHUNTER · Oct 17, 2009

+1 to everything txhunter said. Vermejo Park is high end in accomodations, name, etc but if you start looking now you should be able to find a NM private land hunt for next year for about $8,000. You can hunt the Jicarilla Apache Reservation for about that.

Many of the elk hunts for this year are in progress or already completed.

There are some late season hunts in NM on winter range. Would be $10,000 if there are any left. Elite Outfitters lists some of these.

JWRC that advertises on this site would be a good one to talk to about NM hunts.

If you don't already have preference points in WY you aren't going to draw a license there next year and no landowner tags.

Good Ranching for Wildlife ranches in Colorado will be $8,000 to $10,000 also.

Good luck with search.

scpaisley · Oct 17, 2009

8-12k sounds fair. I guess it isn't a good time to try and get one done this season. We will shoot for 2010 then.

So wheres the best chance for bulls over 360? Keep coming with the recommendations. I appreciate it greatly!

"I'll have the elk steak with a side of Jack Daniels please"

WVHUNTER · Oct 17, 2009

$8,000 to $12,000 is for hunts where bulls may average 300 to 320. Although many of the NM ranches will harvest some 350 or larger bulls it will be the exception not the norm.

When you are looking for larger than 350 you are stepping up into another class of hunt. These would be $15K to $20K or more.

Some of these places would be:

White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona

Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico

CWMUs in Utah

There may be a few more, maybe a few ranches in NM, landowner tag in unit, 2,201,10 in Colorado.

When you look for plus 350 the number of places to go is greatly reduced, just an indication of what a great trophy a 350 bull is.

mtdream · Oct 17, 2009

Well, I hate to disagre with the general concensus, but there are PLENTY of outfitters that you can work with that will get you int he 4-6K range and a very good chance at a very nice bull...

will it be guaranteed 360+ no, but then if you wanted guarantee you would go high fence...

In Montana, with an outfitter, your guaranteed a tag...and there are plenty of fantastic outfitters who will get you on incredibly nice bulls...but then again, most think montana only has 320-330 bulls

Also, would suggest going to a few Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Auctions, there can be some nice hunts there pretty reasonable, especially with this economy...

another thing that you might look into is some of the leftover hunting opportunities through like Eastmans and Huntin Fool...both publish online and or will notify members of hunts that have been cancelled (hunter wasnt able to make it) and there is now space available...

those are imho the best places to look...but will generally (huntin fool and eastmans) are short notice stuff, where as the RMEF auctions are planned next year things...

ISthatBig · Oct 17, 2009

Send me a PM. I have a guided hunt in Colorado for the 3rd Season still available you might enjoy. You can purchase the tags over the counter and hunt a private ranch that as of now doesn't have any other hunters on it for the 3rd season.

scpaisley · Oct 17, 2009

No need for a gurantee of a bull 360+, I think those areas might be the high fence ones. I could be wrong on that to, no experience with the outfitted hunts. More looking for a good chance at a 360+ bull.

I'm figuring that he has probably 5 more years of being able to hunt and that'll be it, so I want to make this as good as I can for him. Thanks again for all the responses.

"I'll have the elk steak with a side of Jack Daniels please"

txhunter58 · Oct 17, 2009

I think 99% of people who haven't hunted for elk would be VERY pleased with a 300+ bull. And to find a hunt with a good chance at a 300+ bull versus one that offers decent chance at 350+ bulls will cost you an additional $6-8000. If money is no object, go for it, otherwise it is not worth the extra money IMO.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

scpaisley · Oct 17, 2009

We've both been hunting elk for some time now. He has shot only one bull, a nice 6x6 back in '02. It was a good one, probably just over 300, don't know for sure as I never taped it. I've got a 5x5 and 6x6 to that as well. All the other hunts were cow hunts only. Neither of us have ever been on a guided hunt or with an outfitter at all so we're not sure where to begin.

He is wanting the guided hunt with all the trimmings and a good chance at a 350 or so bull. If it takes 6k or 8k to get to that for him then thats what we'll do. I just need to know where the best chance for that is. Like I said before, he isn't going to be hunting much longer so I think he wants to make this as memorable as possible and I want to make sure it is for him.

"I'll have the elk steak with a side of Jack Daniels please"

txhunter58 · Oct 17, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Oct-17-09 AT 02:49PM (MST)[p]My daughter isn't married yet, but may she find someone as generous as you. Good luck in your search.

I would think Utah would be your best chance at what you want. Just don't know if you can get it done for an affordable price. If I could afford it I would hunt with these guys: http://www.blacktimberoutfitters.net/

They charge $5000 for the hunt itself. Doesn't include license and landower tag. The landowner tag depends on which ranch you hunt. They have the kind of elk you are looking for.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

scpaisley · Oct 17, 2009

Thank you, I appreciate that.

I'm going to contact BTO and talk with them about it and go from there. I appreciate the recommendation. Looks like they have taken some nice bulls judging by the pictures on their site.

"I'll have the elk steak with a side of Jack Daniels please"

txhunter58 · Oct 17, 2009

Know one of the guys personally and they run a great organization. I apply for a tag in their area every year and on the 1 in 1000 chance that I get picked some day, I will be going with them. Just can't afford the landowner tag.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

scpaisley · Oct 17, 2009

I appreciate all the help txhunter. Hopefully you'll get that tag for next season and we'll meet up there.

"I'll have the elk steak with a side of Jack Daniels please"

JFWRC · Oct 17, 2009

We are hoping to secure the lease on Cross Diamond Ranch again in 2010. We cannot guarantee any bull any size but this season most every one of our clients has had opportunity at bulls 300+. Some things just didn't work out. Please click on the link below, go to the Cross Diamond tab. To see a couple of the bulls harvested so far on the place, go to the photos page and the Cross Diamond gallery. Not all of our pictures are up yet but we do have a couple that will show 300 type bulls. A couple of the better bulls dodged the bullet. We also offer a great combo deer and elk hunt that will prove to be awesome this year.Let us know if you have any questions. This years references will be provided.

www.newmexicobiggamehunting.com

JFWRC · Oct 17, 2009

Forgot to mention this ranch is located 5 miles east of Raton, NM. 30 minutes from the NRA Whittington Center and 10-15 miles from the Vermejo boundaries. Jimbo

hornsoup · Oct 17, 2009

PM sent!

birdmanreed · Oct 17, 2009

IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET A UTAH WASATCH TAG,TRY STRAWBERRY BAY OUTFITTERS. YOU GET EVERYTHING (EXCEPT LICENSE) FOR UNDER $5000. I WAS 1 OF 5 HUNTERS THIS YEAR, WE ALL TOOK OVER 350 BULLS. MINE WAS 391. IT IS JUST HARD TO GET A TAG. www.strawberrybay.com , Thanks and good luck.

scpaisley · Oct 19, 2009

I appreciate the responses I've gotten over the last couple of days. I'm still trying to weigh all the options so if anyone else has some input it would be appreciated as well.

Thanks again for all the help.

"I'll have the elk steak with a side of Jack Daniels please"