Bucket List Elk Hunt

[tightwads]

A family member and myself have never been Elk hunting and would like to go next year out west to possibly Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, etc.. We would like to maybe hunt with an guide/outfitter. Not looking for a trophy hunt, but something reasonably priced for a great hunting experience and would like the opportunity to bring home a nice Elk. Looking for suggestions from anyone that has been out west hunting and could make a recommendation. Thank you in advance.

[jdbuckshot]

New mexico and Arizona are going to be expensiver - Very expensive $5000 Minimum, and I would be scared of a hunt that cheap. Simply because the tags are limited in that state.

Colorado has more elk than any state, but the terrain is very challenging. you can find a decent hunt for $3500 -$6000 and have a good chance at an elk.

[Deltaquack]

I went on a very fun elk hunt in New Mexico outside Winston. We hunted a cattle ranch that shared borders with the Gila National Forest. I killed a 280-290" 5x5 with my bow. My buddy with me shot a 7x6 and they tracked it for two days but never found it. We saw 2 or 3 bulls in the 350-400 range and got them on film but never could get within a few hundred yards of them. We spent 3500/each plus had to buy our licenses. That included a tented camp and meals everyday for 7 days. I can look for his information if you are interested. I would go back in a second.

[JLT]

I have hunted outside of Winston, NM as well, but hunted the Gila NF with Beaverhead Outfitters. You won't find a better crew to hunt with. Look them up on the innerweb and talk to Jack or John Diamond. Also, make sure to drive cause bringing back a 350" elk and meat on a plane is expensiver than driving and there is a lot of country to see. I am going to try to go back out there this year with daddy.

[SCOOTER]

Been twice, both times self guided trips, Durango and Craig, lots of easy hunting, killed elk both times, saw alot of cows and bulls, Good luck

[Mike Perry]

Shot this 6X6 in 2012. Shot a 5x5 almost as big this year. I shot he 5x5 on the first AM of the hunt because I needed to hurry home due to a family illness. If I had not been in a hurry, I would have shot one at least as big as the 6 point. A guy from Ok. shot a real heavy 6x6 that afternoon. My 6 point was shot at 397 yards with a 300 Mag. I hit him 3 times out of 4 shots.
The hunt is with an outfitter about 200 miles south of Alberquerque almost on the Arizona line.
$7500 and worth every penny.

[craziehunter18]

I have been several time on DIY hunts to Colorado. Where we hunt is steep but has elk. Silverton 50 miles north of Durango and the last one was a draw rifle hunt Unit 371( Silverthorne/Vail area). Got on a group with 5 bugling bulls opening morning. If anyone would like to bow hunt an easy area, this is the spot.

[lilham]

INN OF THE MOUNTAIN GODS in New Mexico...Very Expensive but you asked for a Bucket List/Once in a lifetime hunt. One of my better/best customer ever had 4 hunts reserved every year for 20+years before he died. Offer the trip to me one year, but I had to turn it down. It is on my Bucket List.

[Mike Perry]

I looked at the web site and I have heard the hunting on the res is fantastic. Some of the bulls in the pics are pushing 400 inches.
I might do that hunt next year. It is a good value IMO.
MP

[lipsplitter39654]

no such thing as a cheap or inexpensive elk hunt. pay now or pay later. you can pay $5000 and up with an outfitter or you can pay your dues freelancing. do you have more time or more money? if you don't have the time then you will be better to go with an outfitter. if you freelance you need to get out there a few days before the season opens. Ill tell you this from experience you don't want to be in Colorado when the over the counter season is open. there'll be so many locals road hunting 5-8 deep in suburbans youll wish you had never been to Colorado. if you put in for a draw hunt ill give you 2 suggestions. 1 try a muzzleloader hunt. Less pressure and bulls are likely still bugling. 2- if you do a rifle hunt put in for the last season and hope the snow is heavy at higher elevations. then find some alfalfa or other food source, find their trails and wait them out. all of this advice is Colorado related. ill tell you this even if you freelance you will spend $2000 or up by the time you figure your accomodations, travel, license etc etc. how many times do you want to do that before youd be better off spending $6000 with an outfitter. Plus you have to have a plan as to what you are gonna do when you drop a 5-600 lb elk. you wont just throw it in the back of the truck. all of this is from experience. I killed a very nice 6x6 bull on public land with an over the counter tag in Colorado in 09 but we hunted for 6 more days and the 2 guys with me never saw another elk. good luck. hope this helps.

Ill tell you this. Check out the Fort Garland area. The lodge motel near mt blanca. Look up the unit and put in for the last season. the elk are thick there but the heavens must align in your favor. I think the odds of killing a bull elk on public land is like 8%. the point is don't throw good money at bad. we all know its not all about the kill but when you go with a reputable outfitter you up your odds so much and freelancing out west for elk is not cheap.

[lipsplitter39654]

oh yeah. the muzzleloader season last I checked is more traditional, no optics etc etc. but odds are better I think