This past year, my dad and I finally managed to get out west and hunt elk, after years of talking about it. We selected an unguided drop-camp rifle hunt in western Colorado, near Grand Junction. We used the outfitter Colorado Mountain Adventures to pack us up and down the mountain on horseback, and to pack our meat down. Lacking any experience in elk hunting, we still managed to bag a cow elk, and had an outstanding trip. Outfitter fees were about $1000 per person, plus all our other expenses incurred with fuel, gear, tags, etc.
We plan to head out west in 2018 to again hunt elk, but are debating where and how. While we were extremely pleased with our trip, we are considering foregoing the outfitter this time around to save money and further the "do-it-ourselves" experience. Additionally, our drop camp was situated around 9,000 ft and fairly heavily wooded, which resulted in scout-setup-wait style hunts. Since we have the opportunity for that style hunting in Indiana, we are considering pursuing a spot-and-stalk style hunt.
I would love to hear feedback on your elk hunting experiences out west, particularly if you hunted DIY (do-it-yourself). Specifically details regarding cost, style of hunt, location, time of year, and elevation, would be great, although just good old fashioned hunting stories are welcome too!
We plan to head out west in 2018 to again hunt elk, but are debating where and how. While we were extremely pleased with our trip, we are considering foregoing the outfitter this time around to save money and further the "do-it-ourselves" experience. Additionally, our drop camp was situated around 9,000 ft and fairly heavily wooded, which resulted in scout-setup-wait style hunts. Since we have the opportunity for that style hunting in Indiana, we are considering pursuing a spot-and-stalk style hunt.
I would love to hear feedback on your elk hunting experiences out west, particularly if you hunted DIY (do-it-yourself). Specifically details regarding cost, style of hunt, location, time of year, and elevation, would be great, although just good old fashioned hunting stories are welcome too!