Winterhawk Outfitters

Hunt4more · Apr 24, 2014

Considering an archery hunt with these folks After speaking with Larry and Laura and reading some reviews online, I am close to booking a hunt. Has anyone hunted with Winterhawk and willing to share their experience? They have quite a few camps. Any better than others? Thanks...

WapitiBob · Apr 24, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Apr-25-14 AT 03:10AM (MST)[p]As on archery talk, western hunting forum. I wouldn't book with them.

DnkyPunch · Apr 25, 2014

I didn't hear anything positive from the locals when I was in that area last year. Lots of avg bulls in that area and tons of hunters. Access roads into the area where they camp and everyone else camps are HORRIBLE btw. A lot of guys say they try to claim areas of public ground as theirs and try to run people off.

If it were me, I'd look for someone to set me up with a drop camp. Lots of info out there on where to find the elk in the Flattops.

Hunt4more · Apr 25, 2014

DnkyPuch - was considering the drop camp with them. The more I hear from others the more i'm skeptical. Their references I speak to all talk highly of the owners and their operations. I'm sure the references are screened but I did ask specifically for drop camp archery hunters. I am little concerned about any legal bull being something you shouldnt pass up. Then again a couple guys last year shot 280"-320" bulls. That would be more than okay with me... On the fence here.

WapitiBob · Apr 25, 2014

The thread mentioned above has since been deleted but here is one from the same guy:

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-2204698.html

My suggestion would be a few pm's to get enough of the story that you can get a read on the outfit.

bigfoot llamas · Apr 25, 2014

I had a great hunt with them. Link to my review, story snd pic.

http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/OUTFITTERREPORTS/detail.cfm?reportid=4869

Hunt4more · Apr 25, 2014

Meatinthepot, I believe I spoke to you the other day regarding your great experience... More digging online surfaced a lot more questions... It seems hunters either had an awesome adventure or were pretty down on the outfit. The volatility creates doubt and added risk in my opinon. I understand if you operate a lot of camps your not going to please everyone and some hunters may go into the drop camp with the wrong expecations.... I'm looking for a wilderness experience for a decent (300" potential) 6x6, without a lot of hunter competition, a fully set up camp in elk country so I can focus on chasing elk... A lot of the complaints come from too many hunters, excessively pressured bulls and not enough game... I have heard great things about the owners and I realize this is a drop camp, not a fully guided hunt.

Hunt4more · Apr 25, 2014

WapatiBob thanks for that and good idea. I'll follow up.

bigfoot llamas · Apr 25, 2014

I wondered if it was you. I have a short video of the shot and some of the country if you want to message or text me your email.

DnkyPunch · Apr 26, 2014

Sounds like your expectations are about right. Lots of hunters in the Flattops and lots who will hike in there after bulls. I'd ask a few more guys who've hunted with them before deciding.

WVHUNTER · Apr 27, 2014

I wouldn't think any Colorado OTC unit would hold many 300 class elk, probably less than 1% of all bulls taken. The phrases "300 bull elk" and "over the counter license" usually aren't used in the same sentence. Although the bull killed by meatinthepot was a really nice bull, probably an exceptional bull for the area.

I would think that Wyoming General areas that you can draw every year would hold more 300 inch bulls than Colorado over the counter units. But if you are wanting to go this year it's too late for the draw.

Somewhere like New Mexico Unit 51 would also probably have more 300 bulls than OTC Colorado. You could get a unit wide landowner tag for about the same money as a drop camp, maybe less. But it wouldn't be a wilderness hunt. You would be setting your own camp up at a trailhead or maybe a motel.

I usually think where you go is more important than the outfitter you use. Outfitters certainly have camps that are more productive than others but these are usually reserved for the guided hunters and repeat hunters. As a first time drop camper you are probably going to get what's left over.

If you decide on Colorado remember the Muzzle Loader and Archery seasons overlap for part of the archery season and there are more hunters and the elk are even more spooked for that period.

About 15 years ago I went on a private land elk hunt in Southwest Colorado and the outfitter had a lot of land and killed about 50 bulls a year. I asked my guide how many 300 bulls he had seen and he said he had been there five years and he had seen one. I guess I formed my opinion then on the size of elk in over the counter units.

kykiller · Apr 28, 2014

Bad outfit,use to live in silt colorado,would'nt trust him father than i could throw him.

coloarcher · Apr 28, 2014

I did a rifle drop camp with them and had a great experience. Saw a lot of game, and at the time, his staff was excellent. Good luck.

Buckshot2 · May 30, 2014

Here are the reviews from bowsite http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/OUTFITTERREPORTS/outfitter2.cfm

migolito · May 30, 2014

I have zero experience with Winterhawk. However, I have hunted the exact same area they outfit. Yes, there are a ton of people in that unit, but, there are also a bunch of Elk. You'll be hunting mostly 5x5 and a few small 6x6 sized elk. It gets hit really hard due to the easy access. Although it is in a wilderness area you will be far from alone. Lot's of camps in the wilderness and at all the trailheads. Once the parade starts the Elk beat feet down to the private lands. The best hunting is to intercept them enroute-so, not really a decent Archery type hunt. I don't hunt Colorado anymore, but if I did, I'd find another area and another drop camp outfitter.
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