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Elk Hunting
HOPING TO GET AN ELK BEFORE I AM DEAD
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<blockquote data-quote="retegret" data-source="post: 1607061" data-attributes="member: 103749"><p>I had always wanted to do a horse back pack-in hunting trip. At age 60 I decided I better do it before my days are up. Ended up with U-trail Elite Gila Hunts outfitter. Got drawn in 2017 on my second year of application for section 16B in the Gila Wilderness New Mexico. Luck of the draw, I was the only hunter in that hunt. Had a cook, a wrangler, and a guide, complete with a 10 animal pack train all to myself. Felt like a King. Rode in thru beautiful scenery the day before a 5 day hunt. Got a Gila monster elk on the first hunt day. Truly was a hunt of a lifetime.</p><p></p><p>I also didn't have a hunting buddy and had no elk hunting experience. I would recommend using such a service if you have limited hunting experience and/or chances and some age limitations. My lungs don't like the uphill and my knees don't like the downhill. The Gila wasn't too bad, we were about 8000 feet elevation. The guide was good about giving me time to huff and puff up the hills. And they (staff and horses/mules) did all the work, skin out, and packing out.</p><p></p><p>Didn't get drawn again for 2018 elk, but did get a Mule deer in muzzleloader season with Rocking Zia outfitter also in Southwestern New Mexico. Public land, but not a horse trip, ATV access. I would recommend you consider New Mexico. There are no draw / loyalty points to worry about, but as a non-resident, if you contract with an outfitter you are in a 10% pool which helps the draw odds. And if you analyze the hunt options, there are some almost 100% draw options. Plus there are private land possibilities so you can combine hunts when you make the trip. Unfortunately, the draw application for 2019 closed on March 15th, but plan early for next year. I put in for a bunch of hunts this year, wish me luck!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="retegret, post: 1607061, member: 103749"] I had always wanted to do a horse back pack-in hunting trip. At age 60 I decided I better do it before my days are up. Ended up with U-trail Elite Gila Hunts outfitter. Got drawn in 2017 on my second year of application for section 16B in the Gila Wilderness New Mexico. Luck of the draw, I was the only hunter in that hunt. Had a cook, a wrangler, and a guide, complete with a 10 animal pack train all to myself. Felt like a King. Rode in thru beautiful scenery the day before a 5 day hunt. Got a Gila monster elk on the first hunt day. Truly was a hunt of a lifetime. I also didn't have a hunting buddy and had no elk hunting experience. I would recommend using such a service if you have limited hunting experience and/or chances and some age limitations. My lungs don't like the uphill and my knees don't like the downhill. The Gila wasn't too bad, we were about 8000 feet elevation. The guide was good about giving me time to huff and puff up the hills. And they (staff and horses/mules) did all the work, skin out, and packing out. Didn't get drawn again for 2018 elk, but did get a Mule deer in muzzleloader season with Rocking Zia outfitter also in Southwestern New Mexico. Public land, but not a horse trip, ATV access. I would recommend you consider New Mexico. There are no draw / loyalty points to worry about, but as a non-resident, if you contract with an outfitter you are in a 10% pool which helps the draw odds. And if you analyze the hunt options, there are some almost 100% draw options. Plus there are private land possibilities so you can combine hunts when you make the trip. Unfortunately, the draw application for 2019 closed on March 15th, but plan early for next year. I put in for a bunch of hunts this year, wish me luck! [/QUOTE]
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HOPING TO GET AN ELK BEFORE I AM DEAD
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