Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Luxury Elk Hunt?

I haven't talked to Pat in a couple of years. I did talk with one of his buddies that I worked with for quite a while just a few weeks ago. Pat still retains sole access to the Hill. You may want to try to call him. His website is a little funky. He is a great guy and will gladly answer any questions and help you find the hunting arrangement that fits you best. You can also get some scoop on the Hill from the Colorado DOW website under the wildlife ranching button. The Hill wildlife ranching tag is probably the hardest to draw in the state, because of the quality of the hunt and the bulls. I hunted with Pat's son on the Vermejo a couple of years ago. When asked for the best quality bull hunting, he didn't hesitate to insist on the Hill.

By the way, we stayed at the 33,000 acre Whittington Center during the Vermejo hunt. The 550,000 acre Vermejo and the 100,000 or so acre CS ranch adjoin the NRA property and make access to any ranch in the area quite easy. The Whittington Center is an amazing place. Besides the beauty, wildlife, and incredible selection of shooting ranges on the property, the accomodations are very comfortable (we stayed in one of the Founders cabins), especially for me and my partners who view the terms "luxury" and "elk hunting" as mutually exclusive!! Luxury to us are the wood stoves in our wall tents and extra thick cot pads from Cabelas. We consider ourselves spoiled by those luxuries.

Vermejo, Vermejo and Vermejo....those are your top three choices...period. They have the biggest bulls and the largest numbers of bulls you have ever seen. Possibly the only two spots any better are San Carlos and White Mountain and none of us can get on either of those ranches at all. They are booked solid with repeat customers and are not taking any other folks on their waiting lists at this time, other than repeats.

I killed a 358 2/8 there, friend got a 340, another friend got a 341, another got a 338.....its amazing. Went there this fall and one guy got a booner...everyone got bulls in the 335-345 range.

Accomodations.....nothing can be said about them that already has not been said. Simply amazing.

PM me if you want additional info.

I've hunted 3 Forks for cow elk four times and never saw any large bulls. Chama Land & Cattle and Vermejo have quality accomodations and quality animals. I've only hunted cows on Vermejo and grew up not far from Chama. But, the quality of animal I've observed on Chama L&C and Vermejo have been superior to 3 Forks.

If you and your wife haven't been to the Southwest much, other things that might be worth considering would be the opportunity to explore Albuquerque and Santa Fe. And, a side trip to Taos would also not be out of the question if you hunted either Chama L&C or Vermejo.

I have been to the SW before but I am not sure she has. We ski a lot and travel to UT, CO, and MT a decent amount but not that area. I think she would really like exploring the area and seeing the SW. I am leaning towards Vermejo.

I really appreciate everybody's help.

Now, I've got to figure out how I'm going to pay for this hunt since my fall hunt budget is not this big and I have other trips I was thinking about and I have new child to pay for!

Lee

Anything over 50-100k(depending on terrian) is big.
Hell, 5k is pretty good size chunk of land.


Those are HUGE private ranches!

Ditto what Godogs says.....

I concur. I've hunted the Chama area three times--good average solid 300-pt bulls. Superb accomodations.

I've hunted the UU Bar and the Hill Ranch, both adjoining the Vermejo Park property. The elk here are 325-380 animals. World-class accomodations.

The Vermejo bulls are significantly better, and your wife will love the pampering.

AND, I'm happy to say I've hunted the White Mountain Reservation too. Very nice accomodations and a 392 bull.

You should choose Vermejo Park, IMO.

Can we go tomorrow?

Good info above.
What about Turner's "Flying D Ranch" in Montana?
They have great bulls and I would expect good accommodations as well..

http://www.arnaudoutfitting.com/photos/elk-08.html

I'll look into Flying D. Anybody got any info there?

I'm waiting to hear from the Vermejo guys. Apparently they went to SCI. Thanks
Lee

Ebby- I can dream of taking my wife on a hunt like that, but 'twil never afford it. No matter which way you go, I'd be interested in hearing your wife's (assuming she is a non-hunter) perspective on the trip. I think my wife would like a trip like that, but am far from certain on that.

My wife does not pull a trigger so to speak, but she loves the ranch at Vermejo about as much as I do. As was stated before, they do pamper her! Pay no attention to the ugly fat guy in the last pic.

Here are some pics with her having a good time out that way.

Would anyone care to post some prices for these ranches?I know I can't afford them but I can dream for my bucket list.

Anywhere from $8750-12500 on the NM ranches for 5-7 days of hunting depending on time of year and weapon. Flying D is in MT and looks to be $12-14k. The CO ranches appear to be in the $10k range.

Lots of overtime for me b/t now and then!

Ebby,
I am hurt! I thought you were going to cook, call, and carry my bow for me on my AZ elk hunt. Oh well, A is better looking than me and she does bear your children.
MS

I am willing to go with you! I'll just drive across the Border after I'm finished. You may need my help. Emphysema is a bitch! You are right about the better looking part. She is slightly less hairy than you and that's what I'm after. She can carry your pack after you kill your 380" Elk if we can make it over there.

Godogs: The inside of the game barn looks familiar,as do the lounge and dining hall....and the lady is lovely!

I suspect the expensive hunts are rut;the cheaper ones are for the later hunts,post rut,down in Crow and adjacent canyons,the low country...but stll great nevertheless......

Saddlesore: I would share pics but mine predate the internet!

VPR has 7 rifle hunts. Basically week 1 and 2 are considered "rut" hunts and cost 12K. Weeks 3-7 are 9K.

Thanks Bob...she doesn't take a good picture by her own admission as I told a friend on this thread, but she does have a good time while out there playing cowgirl.

Godogs: On one trip i took my wife and kids,too...they still talk about it!

Anybody know anything about Redd Ranches? Supposedly in UT and CO or just UT maybe. Thanks
Lee