Help with ideas for elk hunt for old guys

[MontanaRover]

I'm an infrequent poster here, only when I know I've got something to add, but I thought some of you might have some ideas to help me out.
My dad and a buddy come out and hunt elk with me in Montana about every other year when they draw. They've shot a couple of elk over ten years or so but their getting too old to get into the places I usually hunt, they're in there mid 70's and all the the usual age issues are catching up with them. All of our hunts have been self guided. So, I'm looking for a guided or land owner tag hunt in an area with easier terrain, not like the Madison Gallatin ranges of Montana that I usually hunt. This will likely be a one-time deal for these guys so I'm looking for a good chance at a good bull say 320 + and fair to great odds. To start I'll say in the $5000-$7000 range. Any ideas? Thanks for the help.

 

[Coyote_chaser]

Does it need to be in MT? Or is NM a possibility?

 

[Super77]

I would look at the Jicarilla Indian Res. in New Mexico. www.jicarillahunt.com. Mild terrain, mild weather, very high success (prob. over 90%). I would say the average bull scores around 300".

 

[CAelknuts]

The Jicarilla would be an excellent hunt, and a heck of a lot easier than anything in the Madison or Gallatin Ranges.

Also, aren't there some awful good private land hunts over near White Sulphur Springs that are quite a bit easier? I've got some friends who hunted on a ranch called the climging arrow, that I believe is in that area, and they've killed some beautiful bulls. They're in their 60s/70s and his wife hunts with him, so I'm guessing it isn't real physical. Another option would be to book with the guy that runs the elk hunts on the Jumping Horse ranch, outside of Ennis. I have a buddy who hunts right above the Jumping Horse, and he tells me the hunts down on the ranch seem to be very successful. I'm pretty sure they're hunting elk as they come up out of hayfields on the ranch. Should be an easy hunt for an older fellow. I don't know who the outfitter is, but it should be pretty easy to find out if you check around Ennis a bit.

 

[MontanaRover]

Thanks for the replies guys. Coyote_chaser, NM would be great. I should have said this before, but I'd really prefer a hunt out of Montana, then I can still do my own Montana hunt independent of this one. Super 77 thanks for the tip on the Jicarilla. Any idea on pricing with them? I didn't see anything on their web site. CAelknuts-thanks for the leads. If we decide to do a Montana hunt I'll see what I can find out about the Climbing Arrow and the Jumping Horse. I really appreciate the help from all of you guys!

 

[missalot]

I used to hunt all of the land above the Jumping Horse ranch. All of the elk move in there from Yellowstone. With that said your hunts have to be late in the season to give the elk a chance to get there. Really easy terrain though, Probably not more than a thousand feet of elevation change on the whole place. Don't know if you would find a huge bull there either, as the elk move on and off of there into a general zone.

 

[utah450]

Quite a few of the CWMU units in Utah would fit the bill.

 

[MontanaRover]

Utah 450-

Would you happen to have any ideas on who you call about one the CWMU units in Utah? Thanks.

 

[tex270]

If you will look in the 2008 Utah hunting proclomation, quite a ways back it gives the CMMU's, contact name, and phone numbers. They are good hunts, but the ones I checked were a little over the price range you mentioned. Sure wouldn't hurt to check though. good luck

 

[Smokepole]

Montana

If your willing to go $7,500 I'll guide you on the Coldwater Ranch. It's a Utah CWMU in Northern Utah. I think this hunt could fit what your looking for. I've attached their website.
http://devilsgateoutfitters.com/index.htm

PM if you need more information.

Smokepole

 

[MontanaRover]

Smokepole-
Thanks for the offer. I'll talk it over with my buddies and see if they want to go that route.

 

[WVHUNTER]

The Jicarilla Web site listed above will have the pricing info and drawing application available by April for a May drawing.

Last year the hunts (including tag, guide, motel room and food)were $7,000 to $8,500 Depending on which week you hunted. Like all hunts and tags I wouldn't be suprised to see an increase this year.

 

[CAelknuts]

missalot, you from around the Ennis area? If so, you'll know my buddies who hunt above the Jumping Horse.

 

[Super77]

It depends on what hunt you put in for. Click on the hunt proclamation and it list all the hunts an their prices. I think the tag was $5000.00 for the 3rd hunt in October that I went on, plus guide fee which is variable, motel, food. I killed a 310" the first morning by 8:30 am. We worked in on probably 6 bulls bugling chasing doing the whole rut thing. I could have waited to try for a bigger bull, but I didn't like the prosect of warmer weather as the week rolled on. They have fair chase hunts and they have a 16000 acre enclosure they have hunts in also. I don't think the 2nd or 3rd Oct. hunts are any different than the first one as quality goes and are cheaper. The elk just aren't pressured because their on 900,000 acres. The December hunts always have tags left over and are almost a guarantee to draw if you put in for those. You can see more bulls on those hunts because they are grouped together. They just aren't as exciting as the rut hunts.

 

[Bambistew]

I don't think the Jumping Horse has outfitted hunts on it anymore... I believe its leased to a private individual now and is hunted by him and his buddies.

 

[littlejoe]

I would contact Gary Stringham, Little Red Creek CWMU in Utah. Tremendous CWMU and his lodge is amazing. 15 Star on a scale of 1-10. My 82 year old grandpa drew one of the draw tags for Mule Deer last year and we had an amazing time. Grandpa could not walk 50 yards and we still harvested a 170 class 4pt. The country is beautiful and I know he has some tremendous elk on there as well. I have his contact info if you would like it.