OK, before we start offering opinions, please have GONE on a hunt yourself, not just 'hearsay'. Finish my MBA in Dec, would like for my first elk hunt to be a reward in fall 2016. Prefer rifle (30-06) or muzzle loader as I am not a bow hunter. Prefer CO or NM, but looking for some ideas. May have a partner, but planning for sure on just myself. Have only been hunting with one 'outfitter' for osceola and got burned......so....Got any recommendations?
thanks,
skywalker

Jeanne Horne, J Bar H outfitters out of Meeker CO.

Jeff Lester - Hunt Hard Outfitters
Van Hale - Van Hale Outfitters

I have hunted with both in Arizona, Unit 1/2 and Unit 27, and have friends who have hunted New Mexico with them. I am hunting with Jeff Lester in New Mexico, Unit 16A, this October. Both are top notch,good luck!

Thank tallyho, have success with both? Garanteed tags or draw? I just got off the phone with Van, seemed like a straight up guy.

I've hunted with Jeanne Horn with J Bar H Outfitters several times and can say from experience why there is a real reason why she is booked through 2016. Her first opening right now is 2017. However, I know a person that is booked for the 3rd season in 2016 that may not be able to go due to a new job. She hunts out of Hamilton, CO in Unit 12. Her success rates are high. Last year out of 8 hunters in camp, seven elk were taken. She would be worth calling.

Jeff Lester came to town on a layover and we had dinner and he spent the night at my house last night. Jeff is TOP NOTCH!

What's your budget?

If Utah is a option Shayne Ford is who I hunted with and had a very quality hunt and a blast!
Mitch Buzzetti in Nevada gets some landowner tags every year.Several friends have hunted elk with him and I have taken a nice deer and antelope.

Huntsnora- under $7500

Huntsonora, small world, I exchanged some texts with Jeff last night about all the rain the Gila has seen this summer. Jeff is flat out an OUTSTANDING hunter.

Skywalker, all were public land hunts, and I was lucky enough to fill my tag on every hunt, bulls were all in the 310"-320" range, holding out for bigger this fall. I've been lucky in the Arizona draw and now New Mexico, but I know both Van and Jeff have access to landowner tags in New Mexico if you want to go that route.

Tally

He's a fantastic hunter, a fantastic guy and I can't wait to see what the future holds for him.

I left Jeff a message yesterday, look forward to talking to him.

So are these public land hunts or privant land hunts or both?

+2 Jeanne Horne

Congrats on the MBA, that's quite an accomplishment.



P

skywalker, both Jeff and Van offer public and private land hunts, though I have only hunted public with them. Even when a landowner tag is purchased for New Mexico, the hunts still may take place on public land within the Unit for that voucher.

Lee Weiss owns Fishtail Ranch out of Chama, NM. Hunts private land and runs an outstanding operation.

With your budget of $7500 you are going to want to apply for your tag as the cost of the voucher can eat a lot of that up. You can apply with an outfitter and have slightly better odds

As you mentioned Colorado, I recommend Over The Hill Outfitters in Durango, southwest Colo.

I have hunted with this outfit three times and found them to be top rate in everything. Hunting area, camp setup and equipment, horses, tents, food, and guides. Lots of elk in that area, too.

Were I to go back to Colorado for elk, I'd book with them.

http://overthehilloutfitters.com/

EDIT: If I were you I'd take the .30-06.

L.W.

Talked to Van again yesterday, never got a call back from Jeff. Waiting on a response from a friend who may go with me. Should finalize this week hopefully.

+1 million

My brother and I scheduled one for this coming fall, he had to pull out of the deal because of business committments. We both ended up not going but dealing with Jeanne was a complete pleasure and her followup is second to none.

Thank you. My partner and I took your place. We are already scheduled for next year (2016) and she called to tell us she had room for us (2015) and we jumped at the chance. We were going to hunt the area anyway, camping up the road. But now we get to hunt letting the guide do the work. I hope you get the chance to hunt with her in the future.

Thanks again.

Jeff has been traveling, I'll let him know to look for your message

Good deal. Glad someone from here was able to get those slots. Let me know how you do on your hunt. Best Wishes

Will do. Sorry you wont be hunting up there but we will enjoy the comfort.

Had a message when I got home from church.....plan to call him tomorrow.

Talked to Jeff, nice guy.

Anyone hunted elk in Idaho? Appears easier to get a tag and about the same costs........

I'm looking to go to Idaho next year. Would love to know about guides in Idaho also

Neither one is anywhere near top notch. I know both well. They will get the job done but there are probably better options if you are serious. Jeff is pretty heavily vested in his apparel and pack lines, Van is a numbers guy. If you want personal service, there are better options. Neither one of these guys are going to actually guide you so who knows what you will get.

I have guided for Steve Chappell and he is as good as it gets when it comes to making sure you are taken care of. There are some other guys that consistently kill nice bulls too.

All this talk about Arizona is a moot point as you have no chance of drawing a decent tag here as a non-resident with no points. You are better off looking in Colorado or private land in NM. I have no opinion on anyone's guiding business in New Mexico including Van and Jeff. Good luck in your quest.

It's in Wyoming but you might consider Bald Mountain Outfitters, a very veteran outfitter out of Pinedale. Hunts the Wind River Range six days actual hunting with a day on both ends for going in, coming out. Under $5500. You can get a bull tag with one preference point which you can buy this summer online. However there are even bull tags usually left over for purchase in July (I.e., next summer). If you fill early you can fish on your tag in nearby lakes. Bear tags are OTC but you only see them when you don't have a tag.

Thank you for info. Email sent with contact info to Bald Mountain.

I hunted with Salt River Range Outfitters last year- my dad and I both killed elk on our first elk hunt. $3100 and you should be able to get the tag with one PP. Everyone in camp didn't get an elk, but I would say most did. I looked a lot before booking a hunt, didn't find anyone with a success rate as good as SRRO for the price they sell their hunts at. Shoot me a PM if you'd like more info.