Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Plz help with guided budget elk hunt

I'm looking for recommendations on a good outfitter for a 2019 hunt. I'm not particular about the state just looking for a reasonably priced hunt for a bull elk. If you have some ideas I would like to know,thx

What do you consider "budget"? I would guess the best outfitters are booked for 2019, especially if they are under $5,000. What are you looking for?

Non resident elk tags are pretty pricey to start.

Look into guided Ranching For Wildlife hunt in Colorado. I know some have elk hunts that I wouldn't consider trophy hunts that shouldn't be extremely high priced.

How about a cow hunt?

Just a clarification, a non-resident can pay to hunt on those ranches but it's not an RFW permit, those are for residents only.

Think it would be tough to find a decent hunt under 5 k plus non res license costs.

Think the better ranches run 7 to 8 k and book up fast. I guess depends on how big a bull want a chance of shooting

State clearly what money amount you have in mind or are limited to. From that you’ll get solid advice. What’s reasonably priced to you might be laughable to others. No slam meant.

Yep

Other issues to consider...The cost of the outfitter is the big one, then you have tips to your guide, cook and packers, Typically those will be ten percent for guide, $100 to packers and $50 for cook. Then, you live in Austin, you will have travel expenses and then licenses. We have used outfitters in the past that charged $5,000 for 3rd season, All told we budgeted $7,000 per person. As others have said, that is probably on the low end and trying to find a good outfitter this late in 2018 to hunt in 2019 would be a challenge. But best of luck.

A good guided hunt won't be cheap, and a cheap guided hunt probably won't be good. As someone pointed out, the better outfits are already booked for 2019 and many are also filling up for 2020 if not beyond.

As you look at costs, remember that you're not just paying to get within range of a legal bull. You're also paying
1. To hunt in an area where the general public cannot go, and which a knowledgable outfitter and guides have scouted for months if not years before you arrive.
2. To hunt with people who know what to do and what NOT to do, which is probably more important.
3. For food and lodging.
4. For access to specialized gear (which could include horses, butchering facilities, freezers, mountain bikes, boats, and other stuff that you wouldn't think of unless you've hunted that area for years) that is properly maintained, pre-positioned, and standing by in the area where you're going to hunt.
5. Knowledge of supporting services (SAR, doctors, hospitals, law enforcement, sporting good stores, etc.) in the area.
6. For the manpower and the expertise to help you get a big animal out of the woods before it spoils.

A good guided hunt can be the experience of a lifetime. We can give you better advice if you tell us more about exactly what you're looking to do.


Okie John

Most likely lower guided hunt cost are going to be on public land where non guided hunters have access to.

I found this outfitter for you You can check them out.
Wish you the best.

If you get to thinking about cheaping out reread this:

"A good guided hunt won't be cheap, and a cheap guided hunt probably won't be good."

I went on one of these about six years ago, with my brother. We saw dozens of bulls and heard many more bugling. Both of us killed rag horn five points.
We did not see any thing close to a 300” bull. If there was trophy elk there it probably would have cost $10,000 instead of the $5000 we paid.
I have a friend that has gone there multiple times elk hunting and has killed a bull every year.
Not sure the cost these days, guessing $6000 or so. If that’s in your budget and you are not looking for a 300” plus trophy, this is a good option.
If questions, pm me.

I did the migration hunt on private land near Craig, Colorado for several years. Saw lots of elk and I always got a bull, though nothing big. These hunts were about $4750-$5000 when I started; I think they're around $6500 now. I'm spending more in northern New Mexico now, but the chance of getting a decent bull is far better.

No it's not a RFW permit but you do buy the tag directly from the ranch and they have a long season to hunt. No draw involved in RFW guided hunts though the ranch itself.