Wilderness Hunt

goldhunter · Jan 20, 2017

Starting to plan a wilderness horseback type hunt, leaning toward Wyoming. On my bucket list. Probably a few years out, two or three.

I have plenty of experience hunting elk, but mostly back pack type hunts. So looking for an area and an outfitter where there is a chance at a great bull and a high probability of a great hunt whether we tag out or not. Probably rut dates. We have zero points right now so thinking one of the general units around the Park.

Wondering if there would be any suggestions for units and outfitters that I could start researching?

Thanks

crcountry · Jan 21, 2017

Several outfitters are in the Thoroughfare. Hawks Rest area is pretty country if your butt can handle a saddle for 20+ miles. Go with a bow and have the place to yourself in early Sept. There are plenty of non-wilderness areas that are in general hunt units south and east of Jackson where horseback/wall tent hunting is utilized. Bob Barlow, Trefren, Livingston, Triangle X, Boulder Basin and numerous others put a lot of work into making everyones hunt successful. And for the price ($6-7k) you get a lot of effort, great horses, good guides, good food, and a true high country experience. Call references and keep your monster bull expectations in check. You can go pay $6k for a CO hunt and never see a 280" bull. I think the horse ride and hearing bugling elk every morning (& evening) is worth $6k these days. Harvesting isn't 100%. Heck, it may only be 50-60% and less with a bow, but at least your into elk and may never see another hunter. Funny how everyone wants to be successful, but when you add up all the misses and wounded animals, most of these outfitters would probably be 90++%. They def dont want folks going home without a solid chance (or two) at a nice representative bull. They want you to go home and tell all of your friends about the awesome experience you had.

goldhunter · Jan 21, 2017

Thanks, I'll check out these outfitters. Sounds like they have the type of hunt and area I'm looking for. And yes I'll have to do some riding to condition my bottom and knees. Had my one and only guided hunt a few years ago with Boulder Basin on a late hunt. One day of riding just about did me in.

Although I'm a bow hunter, I might go with my brother and he is not. He has not had much experience hunting elk. So really looking for him to have a great experience and get a good opportunity.

As far as myself, mostly looking for the experience. But also like to hunt areas that have the potential for a great bull, maybe 350+. If this area is no better than some of the Montana and Idaho wilderness areas for trophy potential, I probably need to expand my potential search area and of outfitters.

thanks again

PleaseDear · Jan 21, 2017

You could go with a General Elk tag and hunt the Wilderness in September Rut with a Bow then roll into Rifle the same 7-10 day hunt.

Plenty of Outfitters do this out of Jackson----

The very best of luck to ya man.

Robb

TOPGUN · Jan 21, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-17 AT 03:17PM (MST)[p]It's funny how many guys come on sites and want to hunt an area that has potential for a 350" bull, although the OP just said "great bull"! Most will never see a 350" bull in their lifetime, which to me is getting into the "great bull" size, especially with how few there are in most areas out west. That's not saying they aren't there, but they didn't get that big by being stupid and their percentage of overall bulls is probably less than one in several hundred and that is probably even stretching it! Wishing the OP the best for his intended hunt!

crcountry · Jan 21, 2017

I couldn't agree more TG. A 350" bull is tough to find, and kill, unless your:
A.) on a (rare) late hunt with an outfitter that has the right tools, access points, tons of knowledge, and confidence to pass up 330" bulls.
B.) Uber wealthy and pay high dollar land owner tags in NV or UT or go on indian reservation hunts.
C.) Continually draw great hunts or pay landowner vouchers in NM/CO on the states best units ($10k+)
C.) Your a Hard core local that is constantly scouting and tore up about trophy hunting

Even in the Gila on public land...a 350" is a giant to find first and then actually harvest it. A 330" 6x6, that's unbroken, is a beautiful shoulder mount on any wall, from any state. My buddy has been on 17 straight high dollar Sept hunts on the turner ranch and S. Colorado with Bow and MZ....his long term average is 335" with 16 out of 17 kills. Biggest bull was 360". That's a high harvest percentage with mainly bow hunts, but he's not actually being guided...his guide is merely his partner and caller. Those hunts are $9-10k. If you hit the right weather, the right location, and the right time of the rut/migration, then you may have the luxury of passing up a couple 330" bulls in search of a big one. But then again guys pass up 330"-350" bulls and go home empty handed too. I'd rather come home with a 330" bull and meat than nothing.

Here's my last point: Why pay $6k every year to elk hunt? Go every 3rd year and just head to a AZ indian reservation and get it out of your system. Kill a 375"+ and then get back to reality.

wyohighcountry · Jan 21, 2017

Get a hold of Wilderness Trails Inc.
They have killed several big bulls in the last few years

goldhunter · Jan 21, 2017

First, I didn't say I was only after a 350+ bull. I said I would like to hunt an area with that potential. The fact is I will likely be very happy with a 330 type bull or even a 300. I am not a true trophy hunter. And yes I would rather hunt every year DIY vs. a once in a decade high dollar hunt via private ranch, reservation and/or voucher, conservation tag.

Second, I want a true horse back, wall tent wilderness hunt. Not a reservation or ranch hunt. The reason I would go with an outfitter is the logistics of pulling that off and in the case of Wyoming - required by law. The fact is I have hunted wilderness in other states many times, but at my current age that would be pretty tough to pull off on an elk hunt without stock.

Third, I don't spend $6k every year on guided hunts, I've only been on one guided hunt in my life, successful but smallish bull. I've been fairly successful DIY with a couple of 330 bulls, a 350 and a 370 as well as a dozen smaller bulls.

Fact is, I have thought about the Frank Church, the Selway and the Bob Marshall as well, but just had the impression that chances of a bigger bull were slim and none. Where as I had the impression, Wyoming had that potential.

Sorry for my presumption, I'll get back to reality now.

TOPGUN · Jan 21, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-17 AT 06:32PM (MST)[p]You left out a biggy crc---LUCK! I've been out in Wyoming hunting deer, elk, and/or antelope for 20 straight years with my best buddy who lives in Sheridan and we've hunted the same area hard and have only seen 4 or 5 bulls that would break 350" of the hundreds we've seen. Here is a 357"+ that just happened to walk in on us that John shot just as it got light opening morning in 2010. We had never seen him before and have only seen one or two since then that might have been better.

.

WVHUNTER · Jan 22, 2017

Every hunter that loves wild places should go into the Thorofare at least once in their life. It's a true wilderness adventure. It would be unusual if you didn't see bighorn sheep, wolves and grizzly.

Every outfitter that goes in there kills a 350 bull occasionally but they are the exception. A more reasonable expectation would be a 50% to 70% success on 250 to 320 type bulls.

I was rifle hunting when I was there and didn't think it would have been a good archery hunt. Rough steep country and a lot of the elk I saw were a half mile or mile away on the next mountain. Usually small herds of one to ten animals.

Elk didn't bugle much, it was thought that the elk had learned to not give their location away to all the predators. I remember the guide saying they wouldn't bugle until they couldn't stand it any longer. This was September 10th to 16th and some days we didn't hear a bugle.

There are a lot of outfitters that do this hunt, some out of Cody and some out of Jackson.

mntnguide · Jan 22, 2017

>First, I didn't say I was
>only after a 350+ bull.
> I said I would
>like to hunt an area
>with that potential. The
>fact is I will likely
>be very happy with a
>330 type bull or even
>a 300. I am
>not a true trophy hunter.
> And yes I would
>rather hunt every year DIY
>vs. a once in a
>decade high dollar hunt via
>private ranch, reservation and/or voucher,
>conservation tag.
>
>Second, I want a true horse
>back, wall tent wilderness hunt.
>Not a reservation or ranch
>hunt. The reason I
>would go with an outfitter
>is the logistics of pulling
>that off and in the
>case of Wyoming - required
>by law. The fact
>is I have hunted wilderness
>in other states many times,
>but at my current age
>that would be pretty tough
>to pull off on an
>elk hunt without stock.
>
>Third, I don't spend $6k every
>year on guided hunts, I've
>only been on one guided
>hunt in my life, successful
>but smallish bull. I've
>been fairly successful DIY with
>a couple of 330 bulls,
>a 350 and a 370
>as well as a dozen
>smaller bulls.
>
>Fact is, I have thought about
>the Frank Church, the Selway
>and the Bob Marshall as
>well, but just had the
>impression that chances of a
>bigger bull were slim and
>none. Where as I
>had the impression, Wyoming had
>that potential.
>
>Sorry for my presumption, I'll get
>back to reality now.

Triangle X Ranch, Yellowstone Outfitters, Wapiti Ridge Outfitters, Boulder Basin Outfitters.. Those would be my top suggestions for you to look into. . I guided for 5 years for one of them and we killed MANY bulls over 300 yearly and always took a few over 350". I never went a fall without seeing bulls over 350. Send me a PM with your quesitons, and ill be happy to be more specific. Most those outfitters book up fast for a reason. . I guided in the Frank Church as well...if you want a remote chance at even a 300" bull...the Frank is not the place to go. I believe the Teton Wilderness is the top choice if your looking for a great backcountry horseback hunt with possibility of a great bull. Im happy to help ya out as much as I can.

Thomas11 · Jan 22, 2017

I would definetely think these wilderness areas around the park offer better trophy potential than ID and MT wilderness areas as a general rule. It's sounds like u know what your doing and have killed some great elk! I see nothing wrong with asking or expecting if an area has 350 potential. Not saying you will kill one but at least u know there is that potential. I've heard/ read good things about yellowstone outfitters. I would def love to do one of these thorafare hunts but I've heard also that the bugling can be nonexistent I assume due to the predators. But I'd love to c that country!

goldhunter · Jan 22, 2017

Thank you all, I'll check these outfitters out and start looking at areas. As far as bugling I would bet you are right. I used to hunt north of the park every year through the 90's. Was actually planning on getting horses and hunting it the rest of my life. When the wolves moved in the elk shut up and you know the rest. Wyoming is lucky their areas haven't suffered as much.

As far as the Frank, my understanding is its more of an adventure rather than a hunt for nice elk. Would do that too but given a choice of the two areas I will choose the one with the higher success rates and/or a history of bigger bulls. My understanding is that Wyoming offers more of both.

nfh · Jan 22, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-22-17 AT 10:46PM (MST)[p]Check out fishhawk creek mnt. Outfitters..For therofare area look into Colby gines with wilderness adventures outfitters..

At fifishhawk a guy can get in some great fishing if ya enjoy that

nfh · Jan 22, 2017

Also stated above finding a 350" bull is tough hanf and some luck. I always set a goal to shoot over 330. Hunting 17 years in the wilderness I have been blessed 3 times getting a bull over 350. As said above a late hunt is a tag to pick and choose over big bulls. In 2014 i passed over 30 bulls in 2 hours before I picked that special bull. Every bull I saw was over 320.. but only that pleasure was on a december hunt.
Outfitters search.for that big boy. Some years the season brings Mostly rag bulls and other low class bulls. This last hunting Season one camp got 10 bulls from 330-370 along with 3 being 300-330 with archery. Thats a good year. Another got a high 370 bull and a 399 Bull. Every year is a new story to be written

Horizonhntr · Jan 23, 2017

If you are looking for an adventure, I would highly recommend Yellowstone Outfitters. Great group of guys, horses, and equipment. General Unit and they hunt 60. My wife and I splurged on our first guided elk hunt and we had an adventure, not just an "elk hunt". There were a couple 350+ killed while on our hunt. But, my wife was not disappointed with her 280 6x6, nor was I with my 330. We saw lots of elk, bull moose, grizzlies, and one wolf. It was truly an adventure with the added bonus of bulls for both of us. I could go on and on about their outfit, but it still wouldn't do the trip justice. The ONLY drawback is the ride in and out, but you can't get there any other way.

Also, it will take a couple pp's to draw the general tag. We had to put in for special draw which cost me another 1k for the both of us, because I didn't have any points.

goldhunter · Jan 24, 2017

Thanks all, I'm leaning toward unit 60, just the remoteness and the history of the area is a draw. So I'll have to check out the outfitters that are working that area first, see if there is a good fit. I am a little cautious about finding that right fit. Had a friend that hunted with one of the outfits mentioned here. From what I understand they basically road up to the park boundary and sat all day, every day waiting for bulls to cross. Definitely not my type of hunting. So although I have no doubt that these guys are good in there own way, or they wouldn't be able to sustain their businesses for the long haul, they may not all be right for my group.

But just reviewing web sights really peaks my interest, looks like wonderful country. Good thing I have a couple of years to figure it out.

crcountry · Jan 27, 2017

Read a book called: "Hawks Rest: A Season in the Remote Heart of Yellowstone"

Written by a naturalist who seems to be anti hunting in many ways, but is a hard core seasonal park ranger nonetheless. He worked for the dept of the interior, and been stationed at the hawks rest ranger station for many seasons over many decades.

Good read
Crcountry