I was at the best annual sports show in my area this past weekend. I spoke with a dozen or so elk outfitters, all over western US. A few guys I really enjoyed chatting with but got back and researched reviews online, and was thoroughly disappointed with ALL of them.

I got a great recommendation on here a year ago in looking for a moose outfitter. So I'm back again, trying to book a 2025 hunt. I'll start by saying I recognize what I'm looking for may not be everyone's preference, but it's mine nonetheless.

So reality is that I own a small business and have 2 little kids. I dont have the ability to disappear off the grid. So while I'd love the opportunity to go live in a tent in the wilderness on horseback, it's not in the cards.

I'm looking for a place that doesn't blow smoke with empty promises. No one can guarantee an elk, but I'd like a place that is going to get me an opportunity. I'll be rifle hunting. I'll be 40 next year in average/fine health, without physical limitations but I also don't run marathons in my free time.

On my prior point, I need a place with a lodge, specifically a place with wifi, because I don't have the ability to disappear from work. Ill need to follow-up on work stuff in evenings after the hunt.

Bonuses that would be cool but not mandatory-- the ability to hunt other species. Other interesting bonus would be hunting on horseback. I don't know [bleep] about horses but it would be neat to trek through wilderness on horseback.

Price wise, it would be nice to keep cost at or less than $10k if possible. I'm not too particular on location. I'd go anywhere. I'm not interested to going to some 100 acre game farm, which is the equivalent of walking into the zoo with a gun in my mind...

Anyone with firsthand experience of elk outfitters that would fit the bill, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Be prepared to up your 10K cost estimate.

This
You could call the Diamond Cross Ranch in southern Montana. You WILL get a great elk trophy and with incredible amenities but you will pay for it. All in I’d double your budget sans taxidermy.


Osky

I have no recent experience with them, but when I was into the elk hunting addiction the Jicarilla reservation in northern New Mexico was a great option. Godawgs57 is a serious elk hunter with recent experience. Horses sound great but they introduce many expenses and, ironically, limitations.

Go DIY. get what you pay for.

The second you include “lodge” in the equation (and there’s nothing wrong with that) ten grand goes out the window.

Elk hunting, it seems, is a definite “you get what you pay for “ situation these days. If 10K is your limit, then so be it. Have the very best 10K hunt you can, and set your realistic expectations accordingly.

Wishing you the very best of luck this fall.

Look into Flat Tops Adventures. He is very well recc on Bowsite and has a lodge or horseback hunts in Colorado.

Totally. Elk are cool, but they ain't 20k cool. Take the rifle and tent and enjoy the mountains. Toss a deer tag in your pocket too. You never know....

Thanks for those who have replied so far. A few comments on the comments to this point. DIY is not really in the cards, as I don't have the time or geographical knowledge to prep for something like that.

The $10K limit was a hope, not a requirement. If the going rate is higher than that for a good operation, so be it. I threw $10K out there because I have come across quite a few outfitters that were at the $10Kish number that essentially checked all the boxes I was looking for, except the reviews were universally NOT GOOD. So if those prices I was seeing was a function of getting what you paid for, I get it. If that's the case and the cost is more for a good outfitter that's actually going to do a good job, then I guess I'll need to pony up.

I have aspirations of going back to Africa in 2026, so I was trying to be cost effective on the elk hunt in 2025, since I'm doing moose in 2024. But these trips cost money when you deal with good outfitters. So I'd rather spend extra and be happy with the experience, than deflated that I wasted money on a [bleep] hunt because I tried to save a buck.

Chama Land and Cattle Company , Vermijo Ranch in New Mexico both have lodges. To book a hunt in2025 might not be possible. Probably in the $15K-$18 K range

There are quality hunts out there for your budget, they will be hunts on public ground - maybe a few with private access, but no gimmies.
Getting in this year or next may be the issue.

Vermejo just had a significant cutback in their number of tags available. Elk, mule deer and possibly pronghorn. 15-18 wouldn't get you there anyway. Bull elk was 19 last year 2x1, mule deer 9-10 K 2x1.

WOW!!!!!!!!!

Look into some of the “ranching for wildlife” hunts in Colorado. I hunted in one of those 10 years ago and a buddy has hunted there annually for a number of years, and kills elk every year. It was $5000 when I hunted there. I expect it’s approaching $10,000 now. We stayed in a ranch house, not a fancy lodge. License included, if I recall correctly. Saw numerous elk. My brother hunted with me, 2:1 guided. We both shot bulls. The trophy quality was not so great, rag horn bulls. If the trophy quality was high, the cost would follow, it’s that simple. But I think it would be hard to not kill a bull there.

Price wise I think the Diamond Cross was 17k last I heard . Nice hunt area no horse if you don’t want.
Goes up every year.

Osky

Perhaps you've figured this out OP but if not I'll say it: Anybody good has a waiting list and doesn't need to go to shows/advertise, etc. Most if not all good places have repeat bookings. I walk out the door of my DIY place every fall and say I'll see you next year, let me know when you set your rates, etc.


Given that, you might consider pushing out your dates a few years to expand your pool.

Pretty tough to find an opening with an outfitter that has really good areas to hunt, especially the ones who hunt the larger private ranches. They all have plenty of repeat hunters that come every year, and some have corporate clients that basically take their entire booking each year. Getting a spot with many of these outfits is not gonna happen for 2025, maybe look at 2026 or 2027. My son and a friend found a hunt that suited them and booked it back in 2022 for this fall. He spoke with their outfitter recently and asked about a hunt for couple others who’d like to go in 2025. Nope, already booked full.

I looked at all the places referenced. Some of them look REALLY nice. I certainly wasn't expecting 5 star accommodations. When I said "lodge" i simply meant i needed a place that had wifi and hopefully cooked some food for you. I just can't be in a tent off the grid for a week.

Of all the options, Chama looks intriguing for a combo of the price and package. Id rather keep it less than $12k but if you're already spending that much, what's a little more?

Sun Ranch near Ennis Montana has lodge hunts. 5 days for $6500. I have no idea how many years in advance you have to book.

Over many years while living in Los Angeles, I went on six outfitted elk hunts. All were tent hunts in the far back country of four different western States. Others here have offered good advice on your questions, but I'll give you a bit of advice IF you book a horseback hunt.

Unless you are already a decent horseback rider, during the summer before going, go to a stable in your area and rent a horse to ride. If you've never ridden, take a few lessons from a trainer. If you know how to ride, keep your balance, setting your stirrups' length for YOUR legs, etc., you'll enjoy your trip much more.

Just a suggestion. Good luck on your hunt.

L.W.

BC is an option to consider as well. A lot of well established folks up there.

The last hunt I did on the Vermejo was n 2019. Prices for a bull elk hunt ran about $F15K back then. I really screwed up there in 2018 as I was offered a cow Bison for $1,200. They wanted to cull a few which was the reason for a very low price. Right next door to the Vermejo is the NRA's Whittington center. There's a lot of nice elk in that general area.

I just did a few cow elk cull hunts and even those have gone up. It was $1.500 for the cow hunt in 2010 when I went for the first time. My last one that I didn't get to do because of a bad car accident two days before I was to leave cost me my deposit. That hunt was $4k and that was a cull hunt. I preferred to call them meat hunts. Never bothered going for a bull even before doing the cow hunts as there isn't a suitable place in my house to hang a bull elk head.

Anyway, I'd look into those two places in New Mexico. That's where I'd try if I were physically able to do another elk hunt.
PJ

I think the Galt Ranch in MT would fit your price range. Bill Galt at 406-547-2107

I don’t know if this helps but I have an elk and mule deer combo hunt sch’d for this year with Heaven’s Gate Outfitters that I reserved last year at Dallas Safari Club Convention, $7,900! Writing the checks hurt but having always done diy elk and mule dear in Wyoming and Colorado I’m going to splurge for my 70th birthday. Idaho has guaranteed Outfitter Tags for many game animals so that’s a plus and I was stationed in Idaho and spent many days off fishing/camping the Snake River. It’s a horseback hunt to wall tents that I chose BUT they have a separate hunt pkg from their Lodge, maybe everything you’re looking for, best of luck!

Almost forgot, the $ for your tags are additional resulting >9k

I hunted with HGO in 2023 (2nd week) in the Lake Fork camp. Ownership has changed and not sure if the new owner is/was able to retain the guide staff. I stumbled into a cancelled spot and didn’t secure my tags until days before the state deadline.

Salt River Range Outfitters in WY- my dad and I hunted with them along with several friends of mine and we have always had good experiences there. The only problem is, you’ll need at least one preference point to draw, and it could be more than one now. It’s a public land horseback hunt and Wi-Fi is available at the lodge/house you will stay in.

I have heard good thing about Elkhorn Outfitters in Craig, CO. Never used them myself but as stated have heard good things.

As MAC stated above, Elkhorn and several other Craig, CO area outfitters offer some decent hunts from lodge/bunkhouse accommodations in your price range. Most are not backcountry wilderness hunts but rather ranch land hunts. Trophy 6x6 potential is low, but not nonexistent, in that area but generally lots of elk. Deer populations are down but probably a few wall hangers around. I’ve hunted that area since 2005 with about 68% success rate. I hunt private and BLM land unguided FYI. I ain’t giving up my spot anytime soon! I’m permanently on the landowners reservation list. I’m in unless I decline!

I, my then 15 year old son, and then 64 year old Father in Law hunted with Northwest Montana Outfitters back in 2019, the former owner ended up selling to his head guide Josh a year or two later. Josh changed the name to Waypoint Outfitters.

Website link here.

https://www.montanaoutfittersinc.com/


We didn’t hunt with Josh but spent a fair amount of time chatting at the lodge and also talked with his client that week. From those conversations I’d be comfortable booking with him. Rugged country so the harder you can go the better but they will work at your level.


My kid ended up killing a 170 class mule deer and we had a couple encounters with bulls but couldn’t close the deal.

I hunted with Elkhorn several times until about 2015. I didn't know they were still in business. Mostly smaller raghorn 4 x 4 and 5 x 5 bulls, but success rate was usually pretty high. Lots of elk, but I don't recall ever seeing a 6x6 bull. Accomodations and food were okay, nothing special. Prices were great; don't know about now.

Based on my research, I don't believe Elk Horn Outfitters are operational anymore. Couldn't find a web site for them. Their facebook page was active but hadn't had a post since 2013. When I googled their address, it looks like the property sold in 2020.

If you are bent on a true trophy bull your best bet is start putting in and start building points in the trophy areas of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona and just figure your going to drop about 15k when you do draw to hire a top guide. Other option are the Indian res of Arizona or New Mexico. They are also taking some nice bulls in Alberta and BC especially with the better operators up there, but those hunts are pretty high dollar as well. While you are playing the draw game you can come out to Wyoming or Colorado and hunt some of general units for cows or small bulls. Wyoming has units that have too many elk , and this year , in units 6 and 7 a person can get all the tags he wants over the counter and kill cow/calf on private ground only. Trick is find a landowner who is will allow access without charging an arm and leg. There are a few that just want to get rid of the elk and allow hunting retty reasonably but you have to do your research. Game and fish day office in Laramie would be a good place to start.aI lived in Wyoming nearly all my adult life, went nevada to get my biggest bull.

For what it's worth, I'm not hell bent on shooting a giant elk. That would be great for sure, but I'd rather go to a place with a better success rate on getting a bull, then a place with a lower success rate more focused on giants.

Have no idea how full they are booked but wagonhound ranch Douglas , Wyoming might be a good option for ,you they hunt unit 7 , lots of good bulls but you will have to buy a commissioner tag, draw is Jan 1-31 so you missed out for this year, therefore you will have to buy a commissioner tag, Dax ranch hunting manager probably has leads on commissioner tags and prices. They hunt over 300k acres of mostly private land, 5 star lodge, excellent trophy quality, but expensive.

Our across the street neighbor hunted there and it was expen$ive. He, his brother and their dad all scored on bulls in the 330 range. One hit low 340’s iirc. He could afford it though. Played MLB.

You might check with Bucks & Bulls. They’re out of Utah and have ranches there plus CO and NM. Several friends and I have hunted with them in the past. Good guides and all the ranches have lots of bulls. All the hunts we went on were either lodge based or we stayed in ranch owner’s home.

You might also inquire at Anchor Outfitting, Big Timber, MT. Used to be a quality operation when a friend of mine worked for Chuck Rein the owner. I think his son is running it now. Huge ranch plus USFS land.