Give me elk hunt outfitter/state recommendations !!!

[afishinman14]

After much persistence… found a guide with a great reputation on private land in Montana. That has availability for 3-4 hunters in 2022 because he had a group cancel the day before I called. Just got lucky on the timing.

100% opportunity this past season, with only one guy not taking a bull home (missed twice)

Got it booked, and we shall see how it turns out!


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[WBT]

Originally Posted by afishinman14

After much persistence… found a guide with a great reputation on private land in Montana. That he availability for 3-4 because he had a group cancel the day before I called. Just got lucky on the timing.

100% opportunity this past season, with only one guy not taking a bull home (missed twice)

Got it booked, and we shall see how it turns out!


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What part of Montana are you hunting in? And good luck!

[afishinman14]

Somewhere near Bozeman. Don’t have exact location of the lodge yet.


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[BuckSmasher]

Originally Posted by afishinman14

Good to know. I’m trying my best to get my dad on a bull ASAP. He’s getting older. Can’t really handle 3-4 years of DIY to learn the terrain and get him a bull. Willing to spend some money to get her done year 1.

Just not $15k a man…


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Man its almost like if the little guy cant go elk hunting when he is able with available tags not having to plan 6-8 years in the future...Welcome to the world of point creep and unobtainable tags. Folks that have never done this dont know what its like. Happened fast to.

I think MT general tag has 30-40% draw rate with 0 points. That would be my first attempt. Second would be to try and draw a CO first rifle tag in an otc unit.

Lastly since any bull hunt that meets your criteria will likely result in a raghorn if succesful, have you considered a cow hunt? Cows are delicious, and displaying a 3x4 rack looks awful anyway.



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[Mossback]

Originally Posted by BuckSmasher

Man its almost like if the little guy cant go elk hunting when he is able with available tags not having to plan 6-8 years in the future...Welcome to the world of point creep and unobtainable tags. Folks that have never done this dont know what its like. Happened fast to.

I think MT general tag has 30-40% draw rate with 0 points. That would be my first attempt. Second would be to try and draw a CO first rifle tag in an otc unit.

Lastly since any bull hunt that meets your criteria will likely result in a raghorn if succesful, have you considered a cow hunt? Cows are delicious, and displaying a 3x4 rack looks awful anyway.



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Lol, been quite a few years I’d have proudly displayed a 3x4. First you want tag price increases and now telling ppl what looks good or not on their hunt. Gtfo

[Bill]

Congrats. Post what area you’ll be hunting, I live 90 min from Bozeman (was there today shopping). Wherever you are in the Bzn area, there’s a chance you’ll bump into a Griz. Especially south in the Gallatin or Madison mountains towards Yellowstone. Have bear spray and a big handgun.


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[WBT]

Originally Posted by Bill

Congrats. Post what area you’ll be hunting, I live 90 min from Bozeman (was there today shopping). Wherever you are in the Bzn area, there’s a chance you’ll bump into a Griz. Especially south in the Gallatin or Madison mountains towards Yellowstone. Have bear spray and a big handgun.

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Not to derail the thread, but what town do you live nearest? I'm just curious as I'm still relatively new to the state. I'm over near Hamilton.

[Bill]

South of you in Madison County.


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[wytex]

A 3x4 would look just fine on the wall.
Good luck with your hunt !
I would be sending a pm to Bill and picking his brain on the area and what to expect.
Hope you all have a fun hunt and I'll be watching for the pics next fall.

[afishinman14]

We won’t be after 3x4’s

They had 100% opportunity on 250” and better bulls. All 5x5 or better

Montana has increased odds now if you enter the draw through an outfitter.

Last year they gave all outfitters tags for all hunters who didn’t draw. And this next year they’ll be giving everyone an extra point if you enter through an outfitter

The tag is good for a cow too, if we are unsuccessful on a bull. But again, I like my odds based on this outfitters past success rates. And again.. it’s over 40k acres of private land.


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[jaker_cc]

Originally Posted by afishinman14

We won’t be after 3x4’s

They had 100% opportunity on 250” and better bulls. All 5x5 or better

Montana has increased odds now if you enter the draw through an outfitter.

Last year they gave all outfitters tags for all hunters who didn’t draw. And this next year they’ll be giving everyone an extra point if you enter through an outfitter

The tag is good for a cow too, if we are unsuccessful on a bull. But again, I like my odds based on this outfitters past success rates. And again.. it’s over 40k acres of private land.


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Best of luck to you. I’ve loved every second of my time in Montana. Kill what makes you happy, and don’t pass up what you would be thrilled with on the last day. Seeing big elk and killing them are a completely different animal. Not that you can’t kill big ones, but just because you see them in the spotter doesn’t mean you will get a shot at them during your hunt. I’ve missed out on a few opportunities because I saw a giant in the spotter early on in the hunt.

[Mossback]

Originally Posted by jaker_cc

Best of luck to you. I’ve loved every second of my time in Montana. Kill what makes you happy, and don’t pass up what you would be thrilled with on the last day. Seeing big elk and killing them are a completely different animal. Not that you can’t kill big ones, but just because you see them in the spotter doesn’t mean you will get a shot at them during your hunt. I’ve missed out on a few opportunities because I saw a giant in the spotter early on in the hunt.

Truth. Passed up two 5x5s a cpl yrs ago, one opening morning at 50 yards screaming at me, he was with a much bigger growler we could barely see in the trees. Passed another 5x5 cpl days later chasing the growler as well. Was inside 100 4 times on the big one but could never close. Growler was just gone one day, chased a 6x6 all morning of my final day but never closed. Those 5x5s were looking real good on the way home in my nap dreams.

[Texans42]

Originally Posted by speck1

Pretty sure you still have to draw tags in NM for public land. Going through an outfitter helps but odds still aren’t good. Landowner tags can be bought but they aren’t cheap.

Depending on the unit, some affordable tags out there.

Ranch only tags is an other option

[hopedale]

Originally Posted by afishinman14

After much persistence… found a guide with a great reputation on private land in Montana. That has availability for 3-4 hunters in 2022 because he had a group cancel the day before I called. Just got lucky on the timing.

100% opportunity this past season, with only one guy not taking a bull home (missed twice)

Got it booked, and we shall see how it turns out!


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So what is the outfitter did you go with?

Would like to add it to the list:

Broadmouth Caynyon in Utah and Idaho
https://www.utahelkhunt.com



Livingston Outfitters in Wyoming
https://wyomingadventures.com/



Bear Mountain Outfitters in Colorado
https://www.facebook.com/Bear-Mounta...8785770871138/

Silver Spur Outfitters in Colorado
https://www.huntsilverspuroutfitters.com/

Horned fork outfitter in Colorado
https://coloradobiggameoutfitter.com/

Ranching For Wildlife ranches in Colorado
https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/P...icipating.aspx



Broken Arrow outfitters in New Mexico
https://brokenarrownm.com/

New Mexico Elk Hunting Guides in New Mexico
http://newmexicoelkhuntingguides.com/

[Bill]

I’ll add Upper Canton Outfitters ‘near’ me in SW Montana- the Upper Ruby area.

https://ucomontana.com/


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[chicken fried]

Good info. I’ve done public land in Rifle Co and done well. They weren’t trophies but it was a good time.

[hopedale]

Originally Posted by hopedale

So what is the outfitter did you go with?

Would like to add it to the list:

Upper Canton Outfitters in Montana
https://ucomontana.com/

Broadmouth Caynyon in Utah and Idaho
https://www.utahelkhunt.com



Livingston Outfitters in Wyoming
https://wyomingadventures.com/



Bear Mountain Outfitters in Colorado
https://www.facebook.com/Bear-Mounta...8785770871138/

Silver Spur Outfitters in Colorado
https://www.huntsilverspuroutfitters.com/

Horned fork outfitter in Colorado
https://coloradobiggameoutfitter.com/

Ranching For Wildlife ranches in Colorado
https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/P...icipating.aspx


Broken Arrow outfitters in New Mexico
https://brokenarrownm.com/

New Mexico Elk Hunting Guides in New Mexico
http://newmexicoelkhuntingguides.com/

plus Montana outfitter

[afishinman14]

These are the guys we’re going with


https://www.montanaelkandtrout.com


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[Bill]

Good luck! Where’s the 40k acre ranch?


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[afishinman14]

Originally Posted by Bill

Good luck! Where’s the 40k acre ranch?


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It’s in the Bozeman area. Several ranches make up the 44,000 acres they have leased.


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