need advice on good dropcamp outfitter
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Sandberg
11-Dec-16
Hello guys and gals We are two freinds here from Denmark that want to do a diy type elkhunt in 2018 I am pretty much looking for the same as most people are.. good elknumbers and few other hunters. We want to hunt in a beatifull mountainrich area and want to hunt on our own and wouldnt mind paying for acces or outfitter drop camp if thats what it takes to get to the right area. We are quite experienced and decently fit and know that the hunt can be very physically challinging and we see this as a part of the lure in this. We are not looking for stand or blind hunting but a true wilderness boots on the ground hardcore experience and challenge, the state doesnt matter as we are flying in no matter what, as long as its wilderness mountain type hunting I am pretty deep into doing reschearch right now and its very hard to find the right area or the right outfitter.. it seems like everytime I find an area that looks promising I will afterwards find negative comments on the netforums and so on about high huntingpressure or unreliable elknumbers. I know that there are no "sure bets" but just looking for some good firsthand experiences from you guys. Any kind of advice will be welcome Thanks Jacob
From: Brun
11-Dec-16
Have you acquired preference points in any state? That might help you decide which state. You are coming a long way so you want to have a sure tag. Colorado has over the counter tags that are a sure bet. Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana are probably the next easiest to draw. You need at least one point to draw a general tag in Wyoming, not as sure about the others. New Mexico is done by random drawing. You have the same chance as any other non-resident, but there is no guarantee of a tag unless you are willing to pay for a landowner tag. That can also be a good option in Colorado to get in a unit with a little less pressure if you can afford it. Arizona, Utah and Nevada are very tough draws. I don't know much about Oregon or Washington. I'm sure some others will chime in with some ideas. Good luck.
From: cnelk
11-Dec-16
I would first confirm that your current Hunter Safety Certificate is honored in the USA. If you dont have one, you have time to get it.
There are plenty of Drop Camp opportunities throughout the West. And some even are sponsors here on BS.
In your research, be sure the outfitter you choose is registered with that state. There are plenty of 'renegade' outfitters that will gladly take your money
Good Luck
From: BigRed
11-Dec-16
Sounds like you've done quite a bit of research already on the web, and the comments above are good suggestions to consider. There has been more posts than I can count on this very subject here on the Bowsite. So my suggestion would be to take an evening and do a search here on BS and review all the previous threads. You'll get plenty of the good, bad and ugly from others previous experiences, but I'm sure you'll end up with a good list of outfitters to consider.
That's where I would start if I were in your shoes.
From: LKH
11-Dec-16
Be sure the state you choose allows N.R. Aliens to hunt without a guide.
From: Sandberg
12-Dec-16
Thanks for the replies guys I will do a schearch
From: SBH
14-Dec-16
Outfitters that are sponsors on Bowsite would be where I would start if I were in your shoes.
From: Lost Arra
15-Dec-16
J Bar H out of Meeker, Colo
From: MathewsMan
15-Dec-16
We have a lot of good outfitters around here in Meeker, CO. Also have the largest elk herd- I believe there are more elk in the White River Elk herd than in all of Arizona.
Archery here requires a point or two to draw, whereas rifle hunts are OTC- sort of strange and about the only place like that in Colorado.
Drop camps are fairly reasonable $1600 to $1900 + cost of NRes tag and you supply the food-