Which guided elk hunt for 2019?

My wife and I Drew Early Rifle Bull Tags here in Arizona after 18 years of trying. Our Unit has some Wilderness Area in it so I inquired about a Horse/Mule Back Trip for us. $8,500.00 each, 2 on 1. Ridiculous to pay someone $17,000.00 for a 7day hunt and we already have the Tags! Checked with another Outfitter for a regular hunt, no horses or wilderness and he wanted $6,500.00 each 2 on 1. Arizona gives you plenty of notice if you draw. You'll know by March. We have been scouting on our own. Have found several Bulls. I'm gonna let the air out of one of them with my 30 Nosler. Guides have priced themselves out of my Market here in Arizona.
 
What unit? More than happy to give info privately if I know anything useful. Took me 18 years too. I drew a unit last year not known for big bulls and still got a good one. 26 full days of scouting only yielded 5 mature bulls. But Ingot one on opening evening out where only one other guy was hunting.
 
lancetkenyon said:
What unit? More than happy to give info privately if I know anything useful. Took me 18 years too. I drew a unit last year not known for big bulls and still got a good one. 26 full days of scouting only yielded 5 mature bulls. But Ingot one on opening evening out where only one other guy was hunting.
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22 North. We've been scouting a lot from the 300 Rim Road, looking down several hundred feet into our Unit. We found some nice Bulls but of course there are no roads into the area. Private landowners have the gate to the nearest road locked. Of course that's why there are so many Elk in that Canyon. We just bought a house in Tonto Basin and Unit 22 North is new to us so any help would be appreciated. I've hunted 27 in the past but the wolves have taken their toll in that Unit. We figured 22 North is close to our new place and we Drew! Thanks
 
ur2ez22 said:
Hey everyone, I'm hoping to get some recommendations from folks who have recent, hands-on experience. I've searched this forum going back a few years and have found similar threads from 2015 or so, but a lot can change in a few years especially with the impacts wolves have had in a few areas.

My dad has been hunting elk for 40+ years between the time we've lived in Idaho and Arizona, but has never been able to connect on a bull. And despite being an extremely healthy and active 72, he's starting to feel the fear of time not being on his side. We tried a guided horseback hunt last year in the Frank Church wilderness area of Idaho, we really liked our guide and we both filled our mule deer tags towards the end of the hunt (on the only two bucks seen), but we never even sniffed an elk the entire time. We want to give it another go next year to try and get a respectable bull for him to hang on the wall, and while we may choose the same guide from last year again, I want to do my due diligence for other ideas as well. A few requirements for the hunt:

- Open to hunts in any of the Rocky Mountain states or even Canada (wouldn't rule out Alaska either, although that seems better served for a moose/caribou type trip after he's got his bull).

- Fair hunts only, not interested in a fenced hunt where someone points at a bull after a 10 minute drive down a dirt road. We recognize those are less than guaranteed success, but to us that's the whole point of hunting anyways - otherwise it's just shooting.

- ATV's could be used for transportation purposes, but not "too much" to where it feels like we're road hunting. He can hike for days or do horseback just fine, and have more fun while doing it. No need to sleep in a resort lodge either, outfitter tents suit us just fine - it's about the experience still.

- He's got a lot of bonus points in AZ but is saving them for a draw that will likely come in another 2-3 years. We don't have points in any other state, so looking for states/hunts that leverage outfitter tags such as Idaho does, guaranteed draw tags (could buy a preference point this year in advance of next years draw if needed), landowner tags, etc.

- Everyone wants a monster, but it doesn't have to be a 390" bull or anything crazy that also tends to run $10k+. We paid $5k each for our hunt last year and had a great time. If there's something around $5k-7.5k give or take, that would meet the above interests and give us a good chance at a respectable bull or two to hang on the wall, that would be great!

So what are your suggestions and why? Thanks everyone in advance!

-Aaron
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Great
 
I would recommend Fishtail Ranch in Chama, NM. I have hunted with them for both archery and rifle and I am headed back in two weeks for second rifle. They offer a private land, guaranteed tag, fair chase hunt with great guides and Lee and Valerie Weiss are fantastic people. It is refreshing to hunt with an outfitter that is fairly priced, deliver what they advertise, and have the commitment to provide a quality experience.
Have fun!
 
I have a friend that has hunted with Fishtail Ranch several times. He is going again this year. He speaks very highly of them also.
 
KyCarl said:
It just seems like so much money? All in with everything you are talking 20 grand
for 2 people for a week? Blows me away BUT have fun and be safe!
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We did a hunt in the Frank church last year, and it was $12k for 2 of us. We had a great time and felt it was worth it to do it again next year. Yes it's a chunk of change, but I work to make memories.
 
Just got back from new mexico hunt with Colorado buck. Had a blast 8 hunters in camp and everyone had a chance. Saw a ton of bulls and food was awesome. It's always fun to hunt bulls during the rut.
 
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