CO Guided Recommendation

cheeseheadinOHIO · Feb 21, 2011

Last minute thing here... Can anyone recommend a guide for a 2011 CO elk hunt? I don't have any points and it's last minute thing. I have a couple guys to come along. We were considering Four Mile Ranch for Ranching for Wildlife but don't think that's gonna happen. Any advise or referrals appreciated.
Thanks.
Cheese

elkhunter49 · Feb 21, 2011

If you are a Cheesehead or from Ohio then RFW is not gonna work because you have to be a Colorado Resident. Good Luck with choice of Outfitters.

zekers · Feb 21, 2011

You cant apply for a tag on a RFW, but you can book a hunt with them. They are outfitters.

Sparky27 · Feb 22, 2011

My recommendation would be Winterhawk Outfitters. I've had great experiences. It's a true, wilderness elk hunt and they are very good at what they do. No points needed for archery, 2nd rifle or 3rd rifle. Larry and Laura Amos are the owners...give them a call and they'll give you very honest info. Their website is http://www.winterhawk.com

jims · Feb 22, 2011

You might give Scott Limmer a call at Comanche Wilderness Outfitters.

NVHUNTER1 · Mar 6, 2011

Barnes Outfitters- Hayden Colorado
B & T outfitters Hayden, Colorado

Both these outfitters provide excellent hunts, some of the best Elk and Mule deer hunting around, and the price is right!

B & T has several groups from Wisconsin every year. They have been coming for probaly 10-11 years..

traf1er · Mar 7, 2011

Sent you an email with my contact info.

The Elk Ranch

ourtaxguy · Mar 8, 2011

Full Disclosure...Steve Chappell is a friend...But check out Extreme Bulls DVD's. EB 6 is advertised on this page. Watch Trailer then give him a call him or go to http://www.chappellguideservice.com/

He guides in AZ and CO.

3bigelkid · Mar 8, 2011

westelkoutfitters.com

jseamless · Mar 18, 2011

I totally agree with Sparky27. Winterhawk is an awesome outfitter for true wilderness/horseback hunts.

WVHUNTER · Mar 19, 2011

As a non-resident you can't draw a tag to hunt on your own on a RFW but you can do an outfitted hunt there and they provide the tags. Probably $5K for a low end one and over $10K for a high end one.

For the over the counter units in Colorado I would put them in two separate categories. Public land and private land. Quality of bulls for either will be a 4X4 or 5X5.

Public land hunts are usually 15% to 20% successful for bull elk. Outfitters share these areas with DIY hunters so there are a lot of hunters. I went on one of these once and would never consider going again. You are just paying to hunt where everyone else is hunting for free.

Good private land hunts are 60% to 80% successful. Private land tags are in a different drawing pool so you could usually draw first season without any points and second and third OTC. These are a little more expensive than public land but not a lot more. They are in the $4K to $5K range. Went on one of these also and 15 hunters killed 12 bulls and 2 cows.

I don't think the outfitter I hunted with is still in business but I think his brother has the same ranches. Try High Country Connections near Cortez/Delores.