Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Outfitter recommendations for 1st time elk hunters

My son and I are considerating an elk hunt this fall in one of the western states. A look at WorldWideTrophy Adventures thru the Cabelas web site is as far as we have gotten. I'm sure there is a lot of experience on this board that could help us. He is 35 and I'm twice that. He's in great physical and I am not. No problems that losing 30 lbs wouldn't fix. We both hunt white tail and black bear in SW Va and SC.

Better game opportunities wins out over accomodations in the family.

Would like some outfitter suggestions for hunts you have been on.

thanks
Charlie

Rifle, Archery, or Muzzleloader season?

Rifle. I have a 30-06 pre 64 win, 348 win model 71 and a ruger 77 in 358 win, a sav 99 in 358 currently. Doesn't take much encouragement to buy another gun.

thanks
Charlie

Charlie, sent you a PM.

About the only one I can reccomend is J Bar H,but she is booked up for 2017

You are actually running late for 2017. Many are booked up and draw deadlines are approaching for some states.

What's your price range, not including tags?

What type of hunt, horse back into remote camp with tents, comfy lodge and travel in trucks or somewhere in between?

Mike and Sandy Parsons. Crow Creek Outfitters. Hunt the Crazy mountains in Montana. Great camp, great (super great) food and lots of Elk. 406-267-3458 Tell them Ray from Alabama says hi!

P.M. sent

I would recommend J Bar H out of Meeker but I just spoke to her and she is booked for 2017 and almost booked for 2018. If you are looking for a good hunt with good odds, you might want to consider booking with her net year or the year after.

We have a hunt scheduled for CO 1st rifle this year with Red Feather Guides based on recs from 24HC. My Dad has heart issues and they seem to be able to accommodate him well.

I would recommend Rising Son (not a misspell) Outfitters in the Paradise Valley south of Livingston, Mt. They are a small, family run outfit with very good private land abutting wilderness. This can be a newbie and geriatric-friendly hunt due to their having a cabin right in very good elk country -- you have the amenities of home at the end of the day so you can shower and sleep in a comfy bed after you take your Aleve.

I would rate them as very good, the only down side being they are booked to 2019, I believe, with constant repeat business.

A ditto here.

Kiowa Outfitters
Tri-State Outfitters

Both out of Raton New Mexico

Blue Mountain Outfitters
Bob Atwood
Belen, NM

We've got two kinds of elk in the West: Roosevelt elk west of the Cascade Crest and Rocky Mountain elk everywhere else.

I had a great hunt with Roosevelt Elk Outfitters (http://rooseveltelkoutfitters.com/) last year, and posted about it here: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11626211/1

Two good things about these hunts for someone who's not in great physical shape:
1. They take place a few hundred feet above sea level. A lot of elk hunts are several thousand feet higher, and if you live at a lower elevation, you can end up gasping for air just from walking.
2. The terrain can be steep, but most of the walking is on logging roads behind locked gates and the grades are usually gentle. You can make the whole thing as challenging (or not) as you want.

Washington elk tags are available over the counter so you don't have to worry about getting drawn, and the cost is considerably lower than a Rocky Mountain elk hunt.

Also, pay attention to the rifle recommendations in my thread. Your 30-06 would be fine, but some of the shots can be long so I'd hesitate to use the other cartridges you mentioned.

I think they're booked for 2017, but 2018 is probably still open.


Okie John

Tag for future reference.