Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Outfitter recommendations for a first Elk hunt?

I'm looking for any first hand outfitter recommendations for a guided cow elk hunt in a western state, spot and stalk, for a new hunter on a budget.

A combo opportunity for a Pronghorn doe and Cow Elk or management/doe Mule deer and Cow Elk would be good too.

Ideally not looking for a difficult hunt over mountainous terrain but looking for a fair chase hunt; I don't have a problem with private land that may ultimately be fenced but I'm looking for hunting not shooting.

Not looking for a trophy; just the experience and meat, provided I can fly at least the most choice portions home with me to Canada.

I'll consider driving if I can convince my family to do so with me but hunting season tends to be when school is on so that makes for a difficult time to make a family vacation.

I'll appreciate your feedback.

The best outfitter I know in CO is J Bar H outfitters operating out of Meeker CO, by Jeanne Horne.
You can stay at her base and ride out every day or be packed into one of her drop camps with or without a guide. Terrain is not overly harsh. Food is great at her base, good stock, good equipment and a very knowledgeable and courteous staff.

Jeanne is a member of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Wildlife Commission.

Her prices are below the average, although you hunt on public land, the area where she has her permit has the biggest elk herds in Colorado.
Most of her clients are repeat business.

Vinny Delgado at Montana Hunt and Fish Company has some excellent cow hunts on great properties with hunts taking place in Southwest Montana. Should be tags available, come May 5th.

Centennial Outfitters out of Lakeview, MT is excellent as well.
http://www.centennialoutfitters.com/

Kiowa Hunting Service out of Raton, NM is excellent.

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I agree that J Bar H Outfitters is outstanding. I have hunted with her several times and have never had a bad experience. Her prices are reasonable, $3,800 this year. If you want to try hunting with her crew this year I would recommend calling her Monday morning. She books up early and mostly one year in advance for the cabins. She may have tent space available this year. Excellent area, good stock and great food.

Glad I asked! While I was looking for something less expensive this time around (had heard that cow elk hunts could be had for $1700-2k, J Bar H sounds very well regarded at quite a decent price for this kind of hunt.

Fishtail Ranch in Chama, NM

http://fishtailranch.com/