This outfitter has taken about 900 elk in the last 13 years, and has been in business for close to 30 years. He has guided over 2,000 hunters during that time. His area has a wonderful problem: according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife figures, there are too many elk for the habitat he hunts! As a result, the outfitter can offer THREE very different elk hunts, but these ARE NOT considered to be or sold as trophy hunts, but are instead hunts for average bulls with 4 points per side or better:
- DEPREDATION HUNTS
- GUIDED WILDERNESS MOUNTAIN HUNTS
- GUIDED RANCH HUNTS
WILDERNESS MOUNTAIN GUIDED ELK HUNTS- Rifle/bow/muzzleloader
The outfitter hunts Units 68 and 681 on these mountain hunts, and ONLY takes four hunters at a time. The result is low hunter numbers. Hunts are 2 hunters per 1 guide, five full days, plus a day in and a day out, although it’s really only about a two-hour ride, and you’re hunting the whole way in and out. Lodging and meals are included. This is a classic western hunt with tents, horses, wild country. Choose either bow or rifle hunting here. Or muzzleloader if you draw it. You will earn your elk here so be in decent shape. Weather is major factor on success- too hot and elk do not move.
The first rifle season is a draw with high odds. The second and third seasons are over-the-counter rifle bull tag seasons. These usually produce well based on past history and current high elk populations, but elk are elk, no promises. Bulls topping 300 inches are taken every year, but the average is a 5×5, with some nice 6x6s. Archers often get into bulls as well, and before any rifle guys hit the woods! The later rifle hunts do tend to get tougher due to hunter pressure.
Overall, these mountain hunts are a heck of a deal! You’d expect to pay $2,000 more for a comparable wilderness horseback hunt, and probably have less success. But mountain hunts are never easy – remember that. Again, all bowhunts are over-the-counter tags and rifle hunts during the second and third season are also over-the-counter tags. Just buy the tag and go hunt. Again, if you book this tented hunt, realize you are paying well below market, so not everything will be perfect, but you are getting good value.
DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR LIMITED DRAW TAGS: 1st season, 4th season, and muzzleloader – April 3. Tag is $619. Second and third elk and most bow tags are over-the-counter. No deadline applies to 2nd and 3rd season-over-counter tags or to bow tags.
2024 PRICES (subject to change without notice until deposit received)
ALL HUNTS ARE 2×1. 1×1 HUNTS ARE $2,000 MORE, OR OUTFITTER WILL PAIR TWO SINGLE HUNTERS TOGETHER. A 50% DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED TO BOOK, WITH BALANCE PAYABLE TO OUTFITTER BY CHECK OR CREDIT CARD AT LEAST 20 DAYS PRIOR TO HUNT, OR IN CASH UPON ARRIVAL.
GUIDED WILDERNESS ARCHERY OR MUZZLELOADER ELK HUNTS – $6,500 PER PERSON
There are four separate guided archery hunts for elk and deer and a guided muzzleloader hunt. These hunts will be conducted from high country pack-in tent camps. Camps are limited to four hunters maximum with a 2X1 hunter to guide ratio. All hunts will be a seven day trip with five full days of hunting.
PRIVATE LAND GUIDED ELK HUNTS – $8,000 PER PERSON
They operate these hunts from their base location in the north end of the San Luis Valley. They hunt on over 100,000 acres of private land for bull and cow elk. These hunts are on large private ranches where you access the properties by 4WD and hunt by spot and stalk. Relatively easy hunting, but it always pays to be in shape when you exit a vehicle and start stalking and walking.
GUIDED WILDERNESS RIFLE ELK/DEER HUNTS – $6,500 PER PERSON
They operate two fully guided camps on the National Forest in Unit 681 for rifle hunts and you can hunt mule deer at no additional charge. Camp size is small with 2-4 hunters maximum and use a 2×1 guide to hunter ratio. All trips are 7 days in length and include 5 full days of hunting with pack days on either end.
DEPREDATION PRIVATE LAND GUIDED ELK HUNTS – $8,000 PER PERSON (SOLD OUT FOR 2023 AND 2024)
The elk are simply decimating the valley ranches and Colorado Parks and Wildlife is desperate to reduce the burgeoning elk population in the valley. Elk depredation on the low-lying valley grass, hay and alfalfa fields is a major problem and the CPW has to reimburse ranchers for their losses. A solution to paying ranchers is to give out elk vouchers to reduce the herd and payments. The outfitter is allowed to take clients hunting in July through October using the depredation vouchers. No draw! BEST OF ALL, THIS HUNT DOES NOT USE YOUR POINTS!
These hunts are USUALLY easy physically, which is perfect for anyone who has trouble getting around in the mountains, or for young folks who go back to school in late August/early September. Although we do not sell the depredation hunts as trophy hunts, there are some good bulls taken, including a 392-incher a few years ago. Not the usual elk, but nice to know they’re around! These are depredation hunts, not trophy hunts. Success is seldom less than 80% and usually higher. But this is not your classic spot and stalk hunt- it is designed to simply kill elk and reduce the herds. So understand what you are booking. It can also be frustrating watching elk on an adjacent ranch!
NOTE: By Colorado law, ranchers must transfer the vouchers DIRECTLY to the hunter. We cannot sell you the voucher, rather we sell you the hunt and the outfitter arranges for the rancher to transfer the voucher directly to you. The voucher allows you to buy your tag over the counter – no draw.
The July hunts allow you to hunt bulls in velvet (if you want hard-horned, you need to wait until August). These are fat elk, great eating animals and usually make for an easy hunt. You typically will drive around until you see the animals, then get out and shoot. Sometimes you may have to stalk closer too. This can be difficult as the country is open with low cover, so getting within range of a couple hundred sets of wary eyes is not easy. Shots can be a bit long, as well. These early hunts are often booked out a year or more in advance, so book now! Be aware that elk can hang up on adjacent ranches where you are unable to hunt and you must just sit and watch them! All you can do is hope they move. Frustrating, but remember that opportunity is still close to 85%. Hang tough! These elk live on the valley floor year-round, regardless of weather.
You will need to purchase a Colorado bull elk license for (all prices approx.) $641 for a non-resident ($46 for a resident) or cow tag for $481 and a $10 habitat stamp. No draw. The voucher allows you to buy over-the-counter and hunt any agreed upon dates.
NOTICE: HUNTERS BORN ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1949 MUST HAVE COMPLETED A HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE, AND MUST CARRY PROOF OF COMPLETION IN THE FIELD WHILE HUNTING.
LODGING & FOOD: Lodging is in comfortable 2-bedroom 3-bathroom modular homes (nothing fancy but adequate), and meals are included.
If you prefer a motel, it is at your own expense: Big Valley Motel, 719-655-2524, is a clean, comfortable motel approx. 1/2 hour from the ranch. There are two Tex-Mex eateries and two convenience stores close by. If you don’t mind commuting 45 miles to the tourist town of Salida, there you have your choice of big chain motels and smaller Mom & Pop operations with plenty of restaurants and tourist attractions.
TRAVEL: Fly to Denver or Colorado Springs and rent a car or drive your vehicle to camp (2-3 hours). There are meat processors nearby.
WHEN IS BEST FOR THE PRIVATE LAND GUIDED DEPREDATION HUNTS? Based on our experience, it varies widely and depends on water conditions and weather. One year the outfitter felt there were more bulls and more elk visible in October. Other years they are all over much earlier. Bulls also do come down from the mountains to rut. The outfitter talked of seeing as many as several hundred head in one day! The bulls then are out of velvet, screaming and hard horned. But they themselves have no plans – they only react to conditions.
