Elk for aging Dad via Landowner/Guide

BPKHunter · Feb 6, 2015

My dad finally retired at 70. Has had 3 heart attacks, nothing close to recent thank god. Given his restrictions our OTC elk hunts here don't offer much realistic opportunity. We don't even have any cow hunts that will.

I am thinking landowner tag in Colo or New Mexico, or a simple guided cow hunt in Wy or Utah.

My budget is about $1500, but could go to $2500 maybe for a chance at a bull, and would be tickled with anything with horns.

Any ideas? I tried to research the Landowner tags, but most info does not include prices or real feedback, mostly brokers making sales pitches.

PM or email at [email protected] as well.

Elkduds · Feb 6, 2015

What altitude is a limiting factor for your dad or you? CO's lower elevation private lands will be around 8K when you step off the porch, a little lower in the Craig/northwest area.

hank4elk · Feb 6, 2015

Was just going to ask.
I'm @ 7500' and I'm in the mid mesa country of NM.

WoodsD9 · Feb 7, 2015

Landowner tags in colorado are going to be a little harder to find this year as I have heard that colorado will no long allow tags to be resold online(places like huntinfool). I believe you must get the tag directly from the landowner.

tailchasers · Feb 8, 2015

>Landowner tags in colorado are going
>to be a little harder
>to find this year as
>I have heard that colorado
>will no long allow tags
>to be resold online(places like
>huntinfool). I believe you
>must get the tag directly
>from the landowner.

I hope you're right but I have my doubts how factual this is.

"Couage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."

WoodsD9 · Feb 8, 2015

I have my doubts as well but I checked on the DOW website and this year there are actually penalties if caught. If you do not buy the tag directly from the landowner/ranch manager the tag is void. On top of that if a tag is discovered being brokered the landowner can not apply for landowner tags for up to 5 years. Who knows how it will all work out but personally I am glad to at least see an effort to change from the DOW.

BPKHunter · Feb 9, 2015

Not sure if this is good or bad news for those of us trying to get connected with a landowner, as I don't see many sources to connect through, if you don't live or visit often enough to do face to face research.

Seems like there are quite a few fairly reasonable Guided cow hunts, wouldn't the landowners simply connect with a guide and then sell the tag as part of that process after a simple referral from guide to landowner.

Here in Idaho it is not allowed to sell the tags at all, not matter if brokered, but still the landowner simply sells the access and gives away the tag. I say this based on a lot of hearsay, as I have never bought a tag or access.

Again, if anyone is reading this who has used reasonably priced landowner tags(cows or maybe management bulls) or guided(cows) and can refer me to landowner/guide, I would love to get that referral. Ideally not looking to spend over $1500 for cow or $2500 for bull, but terrain can't be too difficult. Walking a mile or 3 of flat ground and maybe a few hundred feet of elevation is possible, but not daily for a week.

PS The comments above regarding altitude are something to think about, but mostly as it goes to conditioning. I can certainly access areas of 7000'-8000' for aclimating my Dad.

DW · Feb 9, 2015

Bpk just wanna wish u luck! I got my dad his first elk, a young bull, last fall at 67. It was a great experience I'll always have! Hope your hunt goes as well!