Bad outfitter, Bad

[backyardsniper]

I have gotten some great information from you guys on what states to hunt and where is the most available tags for non resident. I would like to know about some of the outfitters you guys have used. This is my first elk trip so I think I am going to go with a guided hunt so I can learn a little about what is going on. I would kind of like to do an unguided hunt but I don't know hardly anything about elk hunting and if I'm going to spend the money to come out there and hunt I might as well spend a little more and get a guide. However I'm not ruling out an unguided drop hunt I truly believe that would be the most rewarding type of hunt.

Anyway I would like to hear any experiences you have had with outfitters guided or unguided good or bad. I'm just trying to get some base information on where my money would be best spent. As well as where I would have a reasonable chance of success. Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate you alls help.

 

[Dr. Vette]

What state?

In you other thread you mention New Mexico, but Colorado and Montana were also suggested. If you help us narrow it down that will help.

Also, if you run a search of this sub forum (upper right side) you can search using a state name or the word guide or outfitter and learn a lot.

 

[backyardsniper]

Thanks. I'm really looking at all the states. Any where.I.can get a license. Probably new Mexico or.Colorado

 

[minute of elk]

in 2010 i went out with a guy who got me into elk right away & even got me an elk by 9am opening morning, but what an asshat!- the dude ended up costing me a blown meniscus & a separated AC joint...... oh wait, that was all me

 

[Dr. Vette]

Forum search using the word "outfitter":
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1582165

Using the word "guide":
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1582167

 

[Dalebow]

not airing dirty laundry in public, not classy.

If you want to hunt and not just talk about it Call Fred and Michelle at Full Draw Outfitters in Trinidad CO, they go some rifle Elk hunts, second season Oct 17ish, otc tags, they slay em during second season on their ranch. Hunt is a little less than $6000 and you wont be sorry.

 

[barnesuser28]

Google Camp David outfitting in Montrose Colorado.

 

[Dr. Vette]

not airing dirty laundry in public, not classy.

I agree. Look at older threads via the Search function and if you "read between the lines" you'll figure them out.

I've had an outfitter that didn't work out well in NM, one in TX that is great and one in Montana that was great but the wolves had already decimated the elk population too much by 2007 and 2009 for us to have much of a chance.

Call references, as many as you can. This year we're trying a different MT outfitter and every single reference we called is excellent. That's what you need to find.

 

[backyardsniper]

Thanks guys this is exactly the kind of information that I want. I have also been looking into the all inclusive caribou hunts from montreal. It is almost the same price as hiring a guide for an elk hunt and you can kill two of them.

I'm not wanting people to name bad outfitters, although there would be nothing wrong with that in my opinion if a guy screws me out of 6k or 8k you can bet I'm gonna raise hell about it and I would probably make it widely known so some of my fellow hunters didn't fall into the same trap. However, the much more useful information is the names of the guide services that you have had a good trip with, and I mean good trip whether you killed an elk or not. I will probably only get one shot at this and I want it to be right. You can get a list of references from these guys but you know they aren't going to give you the names of any guys that had a bad hunt. Thanks again guys and keep the info coming

 

[junior71]

You could get a few buddys and do a diy co hunt, to get your feet wet.
If your not into that and are set on a one time hunt. I would look into aprivate land hunt if it was me. Look for outfitters who own the ranch, have repeat clients. Its gona be high, but that's the best wat to have a almost guarantee success.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Thanks guys this is exactly the kind of information that I want. I have also been looking into the all inclusive caribou hunts from montreal. It is almost the same price as hiring a guide for an elk hunt and you can kill two of them.

Be very, very careful with those.
Plenty of bad references to go around with some of those outfits. Be sure to call several references - successful and unsuccessful - if you choose a caribou hunt. What they promise and how they fulfil it can vary greatly.

 

[junior71]

By the way. I said the same exact line about going just once. Now I have been on atleast 15 diy hunts out west. So if you like to hunt out west, trust me you will find a way. Oh yea, we had a bad outfitter our first time out. So now we do all diy hunts. Cheaper, more rewarding, and no BS, but they are a lot of work!
Another cheap get your feet wet hunt is antelope. I am taking my 2 sons this year, as they drew 4 tags each. We will be driving out from the east coast to Wyoming.