Who has experience with elk outfitters and how did it go?

[buckeye_hunter]

Let's try this again!


I did a search and found a few threads, but I was wondering if anyone could give me info about an outfitter that they have hunted elk with and how it all went.

Appreciate any info,
-Charlie

[Terry Green]

Yes Sir!!!...You bet...ANYTIME !!!     :D

[The Whittler]

What Terry said :-)

[Pete McMiller]

For all but one year out of 20 I have done a DIY hunt for elk.  The one time was a drop camp in Idaho.  Camp, horses/mules to spike camp - 35 miles in was great.  It wasn't their fault that all the elk had been busted out of the area the week before by a non-outfitter camp.  Not much help I guess.  

[widow sax]

Blue Mountain Outfitters in  New Mexico I highly recommend them Bob is first class and a value in New Mexico.      Widow

[lablover]

Only been on one but it was great hidden creek outfitters out of Cody Wyoming.  Bill  Perry is great and the camp was fantastic. Wonderful area, the ride in alone was worth the trip.

[Homebru]

Talk to Whip about his Bison hunt.  That guide will guide elk, bear, sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, etc..  In my experience, he's a good guide.
homebru

[elkken]

I have used elk outfitters twice that where NOT recommended by some one who had hunted with them. One turned out great, I found them after reading an article in a magazine. That was a long time ago in 1984 and I had the hunt of a life time near Gardner MT. We saw elk and mule deer every day and I shot a big 6x6 at eight yards...

The other hunt was with an outfitter a friend had met at a sportsman show. The hunt was also in MT in the mid 1990's. The hunt was a horse pack in, the country was beautiful. The outfitter had told us we would be the first group in that area, that turned out not to be true. We where the third group and the elk had been pretty much blown out of the area. Elk sign was every where but no elk. Still had a great time and the 27 mile horse ride was an adventure in it self.

I have gone on many other hunts with outfitters for other critters and my advice to you would be to go with an outfitter that has been recommended by some one you trust. I have used Bowhunter Safari Consultants several times and would recommend contacing them, they know what they are doing.

According to BSC elk hunts have the lowest percentage of success of any species they book. All the more reason to work hard on getting a good outfitter if that's the way you want to do your hunt.

Good luck to ya, Ken

[buckeye_hunter]

I have a guy now helping me with a DIY. Hopefully I can get some good experience and be able to put together more hunts instead of it being a one time deal.

[damascusdave]

I work for an elk outfitter sometimes...elk are a puzzle that needs to be worked out over time...I have still not put in enough time

DDave

[Whip]

My bison outfitter that homebru mentioned was Tom Dowland from Utah. He is the real deal and I'd love to hunt with him again.  Drawing a tag in his area is the hard part, but he does have access to landowner tags if you can afford the entry fee.  Some of the best elk hunting around all on private land and if I could afford it I'd hunt with him every year.

The only other guided elk hunt I've done was a draw hunt in CO. The outfitter was good,  but didn't believe in hunting in the afternoons.  I didn't care for that - cut the hunt in half in my mind.  He did let us hunt on our own in the afternoons though,  so that was ok.

I have a relatively inexpensive guided hunt in CO booked for this year but will have to wait to report on that.

[buckeye_hunter]

What is his cost to hunt private land?

[Homebru]

Originally posted by Whip:
My bison outfitter that homebru mentioned was Tom Dowland from Utah. He is the real deal and I'd love to hunt with him again.  Drawing a tag in his area is the hard part, but he does have access to landowner tags if you can afford the entry fee.  Some of the best elk hunting around all on private land and if I could afford it I'd hunt with him every year.

Tags for "the spot"......oh, man would I love to be able to afford just one of those.  The videotapes from last year watching the bulls come to wallow were unbelievable. One after the other, after the other, after the other.....you wouldn't believe it if you haven't seen it.
homebru

[Jack Hoyt 75]

There is a Trad Ganger on here that goes by Elk Whisperer I believe from New Mexico that guide for elk.  Seen him cruising the Tradbow forum lately.  Talk to him once about a vintage bow and elk came up of course!  Maybe track him down, worth a PM or call

Going on a Elk hunt is a dream of mine in a few more years.  Put in for first preference point in CO this year also.

I have heard some good things about Boulder Creek Outfitters in Idaho but big $$$ and I don't think guide a lot of Traditional archers?

If do enough research you will find lots of options for DIY western hunts but odd may be even lower than guide and a lot of work.

Just some thoughts...

[Elk whisperer]

give me a pm