Horseback elk hunt

pushin_30

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Looking for recommendations on an outfitter guided or drop camp on horseback. My daughter graduates next year and wants to do a horseback elk hunt in the backcountry. I know with NR tag allocations changes in a lot of states. Looking for OTC options as the only points she has in in Utah.
This would be for the 2026 season
Thanks
 
Check out the South Fork of the Shoshone river. JJ used to own the outfit that operated there , he sold out and then they sold out. but assuming they're a decent outfit still you wouldn't regret going in there. great hunting in the biggest roadless area in the lower 48. you could buy a preference point this year and next to assure drawing a tag. whether they are booked up or not would be your biggest obstacle to a great hunt.

The Thorofare would be another option. watch out for the mass production outfits it's probably not what a father daughter hunt would be ideally.
 
I would contact Rusty Farnsworth in Mountain Home. He is a great guy and has awesome stock. I think his business is Rusty Farnsworth outfitting.
 
Check out Flat Top Adventures in CO. He posts on Bowsite and gets great reviews. I believe he has back country horse hunts and a lodge.
 
Boulder Creek outfitters in Idaho has elk hunts on horses in the back country. I went on a bear hunt this spring with them . Definitely not for the faint of heart and a trip I’ll never forget .
 
5 points for a general tag, and more needed every year. That said, that is potential for a lot of fun.
 
A general tag is 5 points? you have to be kidding. I'll have to look I thought a couple got it. I used to draw it as a second choice.

If that's the case your options are going to be quite limited for a quality experience. you might be better off to do an elk hunt and ride horses elsewhere . most of your better easy draw hunts don't involve stock. be careful you don't get involved in one of the MT or ID hunts that are just a horse ride with an elk tag in your pocket. lots of disappointed guys on those.
 
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A general tag is 5 points? you have to be kidding. I'll have to look I thought a couple got it. I used to draw it as a second choice.

If that's the case your options are going to be quite limited for a quality experience. you might be better off to do an elk hunt and ride horses elsewhere . most of your better easy draw hunts don't involve stock. be careful you don't get involved in one of the MT or ID hunts that are just a horse ride with an elk tag in your pocket. lots of disappointed guys on those.
5 points this year but likely a 0.5+ point creep every year so it could take 10 years to have enough points to draw. You could draw random though during that time.
 
Thorafare. 30 mile ride in. Beautiful country. Plenty of horse time.

Downside expect a 300 to 330 bull. Yes there is bigger but just don't have good experienced outfitters like there use to be
 

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