Ranch house accommodations, 5 days guided 1x1 is $7,500 guided 2x1 is $6,750, with airport pickup in SLC included.  Available dates are September 11 to 15, 19 to 22, 25 to 29 and this is a CWMU so tags are guaranteed and you can rifle hunt during the bugle rut season.  Hunt EKM655.  Pictures from this Hunt.

South Fork Ranch is also a CWMU and has 70,000 private acres.  In 2012 they had 50 elk hunters harvest 48 bulls.  In 2011 their 30 hunters took 25 bulls, with the top bulls scoring 340 and everyone had shooting.  In 2010 they had 100% success on 32 bulls averaging 280 inches with some going 320.  It is a physically easy ranch to hunt going from 5,500 feet with low cedars up to 10,000 feet with oakbrush, aspen and pines.  Small private cabins are the accommodations with a cookhouse and they can take up to 10 hunters.  September rut hunts or late November hunts are $7,500 1x1 or $6,750 2x1.  Hunt EKSF655.  Pictures from this Hunt.

Minnie Maude Ranch is a CWMU with 15,000 acres located near Price, Utah and has produced the biggest bulls the past 2 years. In 2012 all 18 hunters tagged bulls, with the best scoring in the 330’s.  In 2011 success continued at 100 percent with 22 hunters taking 22 bulls, including some monsters scoring in the 350’s and 360’s.  The property has less road access and can be a little more physical. They do 2 groups of 7 or 8 September 14 to 18, 21 to 25 or 27 to October 1.  5 days $7,500 guided 1x1 or $6,750 2x1.  All the areas around Minnie Maude are spike only areas, so the bulls have a chance to grow up without getting shot unless they are on this particular ranch.  Tent camp accommodations, with airport pickup in SLC.  No drawing, guaranteed tag.  Tax is not included on any of these hunts at 6.5 percent.  Hunt EKMM655.  Pictures from this Hunt.

WYOMING QUEEN MOUNTAIN RANCH
NUMBER 1 RIFLE OR ARCHERY ELK HUNT

Here is a great archery or rifle elk hunt on 70,000 private acres in western Wyoming.  This ranch has a 1 million dollar lodge with 8,000 square feet for your comfort and lots of elk.  Last fall 18 rifle elk hunters tagged 18 bulls with the best gross scoring 335 Boone and Crockett.  The first gun hunt starts October 15 and the bulls are normally still bugling.  The second 5-day hunt is October 26 to 30.  Price is $7,500 guided 1x1 or $6,750 guided 2x1 and if 2 buddies book at the same time there is an additional $500 discount for each hunter no matter what guide ratio you prefer.

2012 archery hunts went 5 for 5 on the first hunt September 10 to 15, second hunt 5 for 7 and third hunt 7 for 9.  Best bulls taken grossed just over 300 inches, but some in the 330 to 340 class were chased.  5-day archery hunts are guided 2x1 and priced at $6,500.  This is also the top ranch for archery mule deer.  Mostly spot and stalk, with hunters normally seeing a 180-inch buck almost daily.  Mule deer is September 1 to 5 or 6 to 11 and priced at $5,750 1x1 or $4,750 guided 2x1.

Licenses are on a draw basis, but have been 100% on the special higher dollar draw for both elk and deer at about $1,050 for elk or $550 for deer.  Elk draw deadline is January 31 and deer is March 15.  Hunters can fly into Salt Lake City and rent a car for the 2 1/2 hour drive to Evanston, Wyoming.  Hunt EKQM655.  Pictures from this Hunt.

NEW MEXICO OUTFITTER
PRODUCING TROPHY BULLS

HCU has worked with this outfitter several years and in 2012 he picked up some new properties in northern New Mexico.  We wanted to see how the season went before listing the hunt and we were very pleased with the results. 

This very small outfitter ran 14 rifle elk hunters on 30,000 private-acres over the course of 5 weeks and 12 bulls were taken. He had 7 rifle hunters on the first hunt and all 7 scored on bulls averaging over 300 inches.  His second hunt had 4 hunters kill 3 bulls, including a big 360-inch bull.  On the third hunt he only took one hunter and they saw a few bulls, but never got the opportunity to take a shot.  His next hunt had one elk hunter and a mule deer hunter.  The elk hunter took a monster bull close to 400 inches on the first morning that was with about a 330 bull.  His mule deer hunter took a 170-inch buck the fourth morning.  On his fifth hunt he had 3 mule deer hunters and one elk hunter in camp.  The elk hunter tagged a 270-inch 6x6 the first morning and all 3 mule deer hunters scored on a 181, 170 and 160-inch bucks.

These 5-day hunts include landowner voucher, no draw, lodging, meals and 2x1 guiding.  First rifle elk hunt is priced at $6,500 plus a $500 trophy fee.  All other rifle elk hunts are $5,000 plus a $1,500 trophy fee.  His 7-day archery hunts are also $5,000 plus a $1,500 trophy fee.  Mule deer are priced very reasonable at $2,500 plus a $1,500 trophy fee for 5 days.  Hunt EKNM680.  Pictures from this Hunt.

MONTANA TRADITIONAL HORSEBACK
ELK HUNT $3495

Here is a high adventure horseback elk hunt in the Snowcrest Mountain Range in southwestern Montana.  This hunt has been high success past years, especially the first rifle hunt in mid-October when the bulls are still bugling.  Last fall they went 100 percent success on this hunt with all 8 hunters scoring.  The area holds resident elk and is not dependent on the migration.  This is not considered a trophy hunt and the average bull taken is a 5-point. 

Hunters normally spend their first and last night at the main lodge with private rooms and baths.  Hunters typically horseback to one of 2 tent camps that has been previously setup in the mountains.  Accommodations are wall tents and after an early breakfast you horseback out each day on this traditional style of horseback elk hunting. 

5-day hunts guided 2x1 are priced at only $3,495.  Elk licenses have been leftover for this region so the draw has been 100 percent and price is $789.  Airport pickup can be arranged in Bozeman.  Hunt EK775.  Pictures from this Hunt.

WYOMING UNIT 7 TROPHY ELK

HCU works with a couple high success trophy oriented elk outfitters in Unit 7.  It normally takes maximum points of 7 to draw this unit.  Here are the write-ups on both.

2012 was a drought year and it really hurts antler growth, especially the tops, but this outfit still took great bulls.  They had 5 archery hunters and took 3 bulls, a 320 and two right at 345 inches, everyone had shooting.  Two giant bulls were missed that were estimated to score 380 and one over 400 inches.

Rifle season was still going on at press time and they had taken 12 bulls for 14 hunters and 2 more were just getting under way.  Best bulls gross scored 345 inches and the average was about 330.  Normal years the average bull will go over 340.

All hunts, archery and rifle, are 7 days priced at $5,750.

Archery starts September 8 and rifle is October 15 to November 20.

They have 60,000 deeded private acres northwest of Wheatland.  This small run personal family outfit has been in this area for many years and has access to some of the best ranches.  They also own one of the ranches and the terrain is rolling hills mixed with sage and wooded canyons, low country and easy to hike and glass, very accessible.  They also have access to more mountainous areas where it is more traditional elk hunting.  The accommodations is a nice cabin next to their home and all the hunters can stay at the same place, so older guys can hunt lower country or younger guys can hunt the more mountainous terrain and be from the same group as everyone gets together in the evening for meals and lodging. 

Hunters fly into Denver and rent a car for the 2 1/2 hour drive or fly into Cheyenne where pick up can be arranged.  Draw deadline is January 31.  HCU’s Cliff Graham has hunted with this outfitter.  Hunt EK703.  Pictures from this Hunt.

This 160,000 private-acre ranch is located near Douglas, Wyoming in trophy Unit 7.  Bulls normally are taken in the 300 to 340 range and top bulls will go in the 360 class.

The ranch offers 2 types of hunts and they are priced accordingly.  All hunts are 5 days and success is similar as with quality, just the accommodations vary.  Prices are the same for either archery or rifle hunts.  Their less expensive hunt is their tent camp, 5 days 2x1 is $6,000 or 1x1 is $7,000.  The lodge hunt is $7,500 2x1 or $8,500 1x1.  This is a nicer atmosphere with a large lodge and some cabins for hunters sleeping quarters.  They also have fancy guest houses for an additional $500 to $1,500 per week that is especially nice for a hunter that would like to bring along his spouse.

All of September is archery season, rifle hunts are October 15 to November 20.  Elevation is about 6,500 feet and hunt up to about 8,500.  The main method of hunting is by truck to access areas and glass.  Horses are available and may be used out of the tent camp, where there is more hiking.  Draw deadline is January 31.  Hunt EK828.  Pictures from this Hunt.

$3500 COLORADO ELK HUNT
HIGH SUCCESS

This longtime outfitter has scaled back his elk operation and now only takes 2 hunters on the first rifle hunt and 2 on the second.  Last fall business kept him from running his hunts, but in past years he had been basically 100% on 5-point bulls. 

This hunt takes place on BLM land up to 9,000 feet in quakies and pines.  The outfitter uses mules and there is little or no pressure where they hunt.  Accommodations are at the outfitters home with meals included. 

5-day hunts guided 2x1 are $3,500 for the first or second gun season.  Airport pickup in Grand Junction is included.  Hunt EK675. Pictures from this Hunt.

WYOMING UNIT 11 TROPHY ELK
EASIER TO DRAW THAN UNIT 7
SIMILAR TROPHY QUALITY

We work with an outfit that offers hunts in both Unit 11 and Unit 7.  Unit 11 will probably require 5 points to draw, where as Unit 7 normally takes the maximum 7 points.  Trophy quality is very similar.

They have a great setup in Unit 11, where they have built a nice log lodge and have 6,000 private acres bordering the Medicine Bow National Forest.  There are no wolves or grizzlies in this area of southeastern Wyoming.

Last fall they had 2 archery hunters and scored on a 325-inch bull and the unsuccessful archer had opportunities.  Rifle hunts went 4 for 4 and the overall average was 335.

7-day hunts for both archery and rifle are priced at $5,750. Bow hunts start September 8 and rifle is October 1 to 20.  Hunters fly into Denver and rent a car for the 2 1/2 hour drive or fly into Cheyenne where pick up can be arranged.  HCU’s Cliff Graham has hunted with this outfitter.  Hunt EKM703. Pictures from this Hunt.

ARCHERY ELK HUNTS
HIGH SUCCESS-NO DRAW

Here are a few Colorado and Wyoming archery elk hunts that you can buy a tag over the counter or 100% draw.  These are proven high success hunts with quality outfitters and priced very reasonable.

This 70,000-acre western Wyoming ranch has high elk numbers. In 2012 archery hunts went 5 for 5 on the first hunt September 10 to 15, second hunt 5 for 7 and third hunt 7 for 9.  Best bulls taken grossed just over 300 inches, but some in the 330 to 340 class were chased.  5-day archery hunts are guided 2x1 and priced at $6,500.  This is also the top ranch for archery mule deer.  Mostly spot and stalk, with hunters normally seeing a 180-inch buck almost daily.  Mule deer is September 1 to 5 or 6 to 11 and priced at $5,750 1x1 or $4,750 guided 2x1.

Licenses are on a draw basis, but have been 100% on the special higher dollar draw for both elk and deer at about $1,050 for elk or $550 for deer.  Elk draw deadline is January 31 and deer is March 15.  Accommodations are a beautiful lodge in a very picturesque setting.  Hunters can fly into Salt Lake City and rent a car for the 2 1/2 hour drive to Evanston, Wyoming.  Hunt EKQMB655.  Pictures from this Hunt.

This Colorado ranch has very high elk numbers and produces an extremely high rate of opportunity.  This first outfitter hunts on 5,500 private acres southeast of Craig.  In 2012 he hosted 11 archers and they scored on 7 bulls and 2 hunters missed bull.  The top 2 bulls taken grossed 285 and 280 points, the rest were in the 240 to 260 class.

In 2011 his 12 archers took 6 bulls and wounded and lost 6 more, all shots less than 25 yards.  In 2010 he had 11 archery elk hunters and they tagged 10 bulls.  Two were 6 points grossing 290 and 280, but most were 5-points.  In 2009, 14 bowhunters killed 9 bulls, crippled 2 and missed. 

He runs two 4-day horseback hunts priced at $5,000 guided 2x1 for September 17 to 20 or 21 to 24 with cabin accommodations. Main method of hunting is calling and spot and stalk.  Hunt EKB824.  Pictures from this Hunt.

Here is a bargain priced hunt at $3,800 for 5 days guided 2x1 during the month of September.  He has a couple private ranches with cabin accommodations in the mountains east of Hotchkiss. 

In 2012 his 6 archers took two 5-point bulls, hit a big bull and a 5-point, but lost them both.  In 2011 the first hunt went 0 for 3.  The second hunt 5 hunters killed 2 bulls and wounded 1, which is more normal for this hunt.  In 2010 he had 13 archers take 2 bulls, cripple 5 and miss 3.  Hunt EKB163.  Pictures from this Hunt.

This 6-day full service hunt is only $3,100 and you can add mule deer for $800.  2012 season was a little slower than normal due to the hot dry weather, but they still had 100 percent opportunity for their 12 archers.  They ended the season taking 3 bulls with the best grossing 285 inches and 5 bulls were hit and lost.  The best muley taken grossed 170 inches. 

This is a private land hunt in southwestern Colorado with either bunkhouse or wall tent accommodations, depending if you hunt the upper or lower ranch and includes guiding and meals.  Space is limited.  Hunt EKB252.  Pictures from this Hunt.

For the do-it-yourself archery group, HCU works with an outfitter that has a cabin on a private parcel bordering the National Forest in an area that is quite difficult for public hunters to access.  The cabin is primitive and has gas lights, stove and generator, no running water.  This September deal is for a party of 4 and the price is very affordable at only $3,000, which can be split amongst the group.  Hunt EKUN640.  Pictures from this Hunt.

100% SUCCESS PRIVATE LAND
UTAH OR IDAHO MOUNTAINS
AS LOW AS $4900

The outfitter has 10,000 acres under high fence in normal elk habitat in northern Utah and southeastern Idaho.  Hunts have been 100 percent success and accommodations at both operations are very nice lodges set back in the mountains.  This is a premier operation, not your normal high fence elk hunt.  Hunting methods include horseback, hiking, ATV’s and trucks. 

5 days total, including 3 hunting days guided 1x1 are $5,900 for bulls gross scoring up to 340 points and these are big mountable bulls.  Bulls 341 to 360 are $7,900, with larger bulls priced separately.

Management hunts for mature 5-point and 5x6 bulls that will never be a 6x6 are culled out for genetic reasons.  These hunts are priced at a very reasonable rate of only $4,900 and the bulls normally score in the 280 to 300-inch class, with some taken that are even larger.