Guided Elk Hunt - Outfitter recommendations

[Marine24]

My brother and I are planning a guided Elk hunt later this year and looking for recommendations. Not sure if there are any members that are guides, but would like to hear from them.

Right now, we are looking at Circle K down in Dolores that hunts GMU 71 and KB Outdoors out of Divide.

[CS1983]

Might want to specify archery, muzzleloader, or rifle.

[Marine24]

Good point. Looking at second season rifle. Since my brother lives in Florida, seems second season offers OTC tags in the areas we have been looking at rather than rely on both of us drawing tags.

[rondog]

Stupid question - if you hire a guide/outfitter, does the tag come with the package? Or do you have to draw a tag on your own, then hire the outfitter?

I've often wondered about this, not that I'll ever get to do it.....

[Marine24]

Take this for what it is worth, but based on my research you book the hunt and hope you draw the tag. Some of these hunts you have to plan a year or so in advance. With one I found, you have to put $1500 down as a retainer for a future hunt. 50% must be put down in Jan of the year your hunt is sked and balance is due when you arrive. Not sure what happens with your deposit if you don't draw the tag.

Some that I'm looking at in Texas and New Mexico, you either buy the tag when you arrive or it is included in the hunt but not sure if they have the draw system in their state.

[Irving]

Stupid question - if you hire a guide/outfitter, does the tag come with the package? Or do you have to draw a tag on your own, then hire the outfitter?

I've often wondered about this, not that I'll ever get to do it.....

I think both options exist.

[def90]

Hate to say it but most guides/outfitters are already booked for this coming season. If they aren't I might question their results however there is always the new guy trying to get started.

[Irving]

We ran into a place in Unit 33 this year that advertised a guided hunt. What they did was put you in a wall tent about a mile and a half up a trail on public land in a valley. People were camped and hunting ALL around the tent from above, and both sides of the trail. I'd feel bad for people who thought they were getting access to some secluded private land. So watch what you sign up for. If it's a great spot, it's not likely to be cheap. I think that place was advertising for $3-$5k if I remember right. Oh yeah, they fed you 3 meals a day too.

[whitewalrus]

Stupid question - if you hire a guide/outfitter, does the tag come with the package? Or do you have to draw a tag on your own, then hire the outfitter?

I've often wondered about this, not that I'll ever get to do it.....

You can do both. But must guides don?t have the tags for you. Landowners will often sell theirs and the right to hunt their private property as a self guided hunt.

[Colorado Osprey]

Tri-State Outfitters runs exclusively on private property. As such they have land owner tags to buy for the hunters who book hunts. The season runs from Sept 1 to Jan 31. You will usually book a week and have a couple of guides working for you spotting and getting you into the action.
Their success rate if not 100% is darn close. You will need to call them for pricing, but I recommend you are sitting when you call.

They are headquartered out of Raton,NM and hunt mainly areas in New Mexico and Colorado. Private property totaling over 750,000 acres. I believe they have areas in Wyoming and Texas as well.
http://www.tristateoutfittersusa.com/?portfolio=elk

[Marine24]

You get what you pay for. Circle K advertises about a 50% success rate and the costs for a 2 to 1 hunt is $4500 per person. Seems as the success rate goes up, so does the price.

[Colorado Osprey]

I believe tri-state was $15k plus trophy fees for a bull. That does not include your tip for the guides.

[whitewalrus]

I believe tri-state was $15k plus trophy fees for a bull. That does not include your tip for the guides.

Ouch, got to have deep pockets to go with them.