Western elk hunt/outfitter

Someone had a post on here a couple of days ago about going back to Montana for elk, scroll back a couple of days...

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My wonderful wife is paying

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Y'all have separate moneys.

I did an archery elk hunt in New Mexico a few years ago. I hunted the Gila NF in Unit 16A. It was the most physical arse beating I've ever put myself through. I got a decent 5x5 on the final day of the hunt. Hunting the bugle is cool and if you have a chance you should check it out. My advice is to get in shape. If you are not in shape your likelihood of getting an archery elk drops by 75% IMHO. I was running 3-5 miles a day for 6 months leading up to my hunt and the altitude still wore me down.

If you are looking for a high quality bull then go with AZ. You have two choices, wait the 6-10 years necessary to draw a prime bull elk tag or buy a landowner tag. Be prepared to pay somewhere on the order of $10K+ if you go the landowner route.

New Mexico's Gila NF is decent. There is a good elk population but monsters are getting fewer. A 250-300 class bull is typical there.

I dont think NM or AZ allows nonresidents to DIY. They say its a safety issue and with NM you have to list your outfitter when purchasing your tag.

I believe a Colorado has elk tags right over the counter. If you just want to blast an elk or DIY this is your best bet. Quality will be low and hunting pressure will be high.

Hope this helps..

Wiltznucs, thank you for the info, it definitely helps! Just what im looking for! Arizona is my first choice, I want a good one because I'll probably never get this opportunity again and from what I can tell the landowner tag may the way to go, although is the most expensive BUT the prices I've been seeing are in the price range! I know it'll be a physical challenge but I'm in pretty good shape now and will be working on that until the hunt!

Wickowick, thanks for the link. She actually looked at Montana because she's heard me talking about whitetail hunting out there. I don't rifle hunt much but I'd love to make a gun hunt there.

Glad I could help. Be sure to check out UT as well. Some great big bulls taken there each year and pricing may be similar.

If money is not a big concern, try the Cielo Vista Ranch in south west colorado. Contact Hal Gahm at hal@ttha.com (>10,000)

Located in southeast Colorado on the New Mexico border, and is one of the hottest properties available right now. All the hunting shows are filming there these days.

As a personal reference, I hunted with Rough Country Outfitters in Wyoming last year. Good group of guys, hard working, good food, good elk hunting at a more reasonable price. I did not harvest a bull but had one scream in my face at 5 yards just never turned and gave me a broadside shot. We were in elk almost every day. It is not easy. Definetly need to be in shape.

I have done several do it your self hunts in colorado and they can be good, but you have to get away from crowds which means backcountry hunting. Must be in great shape and willing to work really hard for a good hunt. If you kill, you need some ideas of a place to rent a horse to help get it out.

Good luck

The guide I used in Montana was great for a rifle hunt but not for archery. They hunt migrating elk later in the season and it is dependant strictly on snow and cold weather.

If you want a pretty much guaranteed kill, you will end up paying in the 10K range. I paid 3K for my outfitter (discounted from 5500 because I got a group together), but did not get an elk last time out due to the very mild winter. Passed on a few mule deer though.

This is the information for another guide I was talking to in New Mexico that has a high archery success rate.

Trifecta Outdoors
Jared Robinson
505-692-0710

I cant really tell you much about him but his rates were reasonable and he seemed like a quality guy.

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I haven't ruled out anything or anywhere, the process is just beginning!

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jicarillahunt.com/elk_hunting

Don't know what your price range is but White Mountain apache is your "once in a lifetime hunt". Very expensive and probably a wait list. Jicarilla apache in New Mexico is cheaper, but doesn't have the same number of high scoring bulls, but you will get a very nice one. Mescalero is very good also, probably in between the other two in price range and quality. All of these have gotten expensive, but all of them are unbelievable hunts!