Meeker Colo. Packing Service

FamilyMan · Apr 3, 2006

While hunting, I sometimes wander further from the trailhead then I am equipped to pack an elk back out of. Does anyone know about what one should expect to pay for a packing service to come in and pack an elk out for you? Any references for packing service in Meeker, Colorado?

Thanks.

Mark

Flatlandr · Apr 3, 2006

FamilyMan,

Last season in GMU4 I was quoted $225.00 from one outfitter and ended up using the services of a different outfitter who charged me $250.00. Both of those outfitters were up on the mountain in the same general area that we were at.

I do not know about the Meeker area but if you contact the Ranger office for the GMU that you are hunting in they can give you a list of permitted outfitters. As I understand it, (those here on MM who may know otherwise feel free to correct me on this) whomever packs out your Game in Colorado must be a permitted outfitter for the unit you are in or you as well as the outfitter are in violation of the law.

Hope this helps.

Mark

Elkcrzy1 · Apr 3, 2006

You mean I cant have a friend come pack out an animal for me then ? Im not sure thats right at all. Gary

WVHUNTER · Apr 3, 2006

That would my opinion also. When an outfitter has a USFS permit for an area he has exclusive rights to that area. Although sometimes the areas of different outfitters may overlap. This includes huting, packing, trailrides, etc.

You can have anyone pack for you as long as you don't pay them. The permit is for comercial use of USFS land.

HerbD · Apr 3, 2006

I paid $250 last year in Co unit 4.Wherever I hunt I always make arrangements in advance for that "just in case".

Herb

FamilyMan · Apr 11, 2006

What if you are hunting in an area not claimed by any outfitter. There a lots of small areas of public ground that outfitters can't make use of because they are too small and isolated. In this case are you free to hire anyone you want?

Mark

WVHUNTER · Apr 11, 2006

I don't know about BLM or state land but if you operate on USFS land for profit you are supposed to have a permit. Any comercial use of their property. Excuse me, I mean our property that they manage for us.

In the East very little of the National Forest has outfitters on it(there isn't anything on it that anyone would pay to hunt for). A fellow that works for me used to have a business using mules to pack trout fisherman into a wilderness area and he had to have a permit.

A permit would require a permit fee, liability insurance and in most states a state outfitters liscense.

You could rent horses, there is a place between Meeker and Craig that does that. They can deliver the horses to the trailhead and they aren't actually operating on USFS land so they don't have to have a permit for the area. I think they still have a Colorado outfitters liscense.

Flatlandr · Apr 11, 2006

WVHUNTER-I believe that would be Sombrero Ranches.

WVHUNTER · Apr 11, 2006

Yes, That's the place. I hunted near there with an outfitter in 2004 and they rented horses from them. I thik it was $80.00 per day but I don't know if you could rent them for one day or not. They have a web site.

They said these horses were used to being together so they wouldn't tie them up by themselves, they didn't want to be left alone.

MeekerDoc · Apr 12, 2006

Just moved here to Meeker and have not looked into that yet. However, you could write me if you want. I have horses and hope to be packing out a few of my own this year.

ELKMASTER101 · Apr 12, 2006

TYPICALY ANY RANCHER AROUND THERE WIL GO IN.
i PAID 60 BUCKS LAST YEAR AND IT WAS IN 5 MILES.
whats this crap, about being licenesed. that is not true,
go into the nearest town sit down at the watering hole(coffee shop) you'll find someone there just about any time of the day.
or they will direct you to someone on a phone call.

ELKMASTER101 · Apr 12, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Apr-12-06 AT 01:35PM (MST)[p]just want to mention also that on public land an outfitter has no more right to an area then you.
its not on who gets there first either.
this also holds true on b.l.m. land.
so don't let them try to bluff you out.

bowhuntinnut · Apr 12, 2006

If you cannot find anybody let me know, I can give ya phone numbers all day long until you do find one. I was born and raised and still live in Meeker, There are quite a few little guys that do this type of thing that you won't ever find in the phone books. Let me know what area you intend to hunt and that will help find the closest guys to get the meat out faster.

FamilyMan · Apr 13, 2006

Thanks for the offer. You have mail.

Mark

bwortman · Apr 20, 2006

Does anyone know of a pack service on the southern edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness?

Wes · Apr 22, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Apr-22-06 AT 01:43PM (MST)[p]Anyone can pack your elk out for FREE, but if they charge you anything they must be permitted by the forest srevice or BLM or they're violating the law. A lot of these "Little Guys" are charging to pack out game and as it was said in an ealier post if you hire one of these unlicensed and unpermitted packers both you and the packer can be cited
Wes