Where to go

[Zackwater]

Wanting to send my son for his 21st birthday on an elk hunt. He will be joined by his non-hunting mom. She will stay at lodge/whatever while he hunts. I know it will not be cheap, price is secondary. Saw Inn of the Gods, would be good for her, but know nothing about it. Any recommendations, looking for 2016 could go 2015. Wanting big bull (for son not wife).

[ElkNut1]

Zack, welcome to the Forum!

What are your sons expectations? Does he want to hunt hard or not into too much physical exertion? Horseback/On Foot? Bow, Rifle, Muzzle-loader, etc.? What State is preferred? How long can he hunt/days? We have several Outfitters here with Banners & their names on the Sponsors list, give them a call & see if one may meet your/sons requirements.

ElkNut1

[Indian Summer]

In addition to Paul's (Elknut's) questions I'll add one: What do you consider big? You get what you pay for. In the world of reality a 300 inch bull is big. Anyone on this site would call that a shooter. But I know of places where you can have a crack at 400 inchers too. You would likely have to re-finance your house to hunt there though. Google up "Arizona Reservation Elk Hunts" and you'll see what I mean. You can dump 30K on trophy bull hunts at some of those places.

You are too late to hunt Wyoming as the license app deadline just passed. You have plenty of time to plan a Montana hunt. But regardless of what you decide I'll tell you this: There is no such thing as easy elk. If it is absolutely a must that your son kills a bull on this hunt you better be ready to write a check to hunt private land. I guess that comes as no surprise if you have been reading up on the Inn of the Mountain Gods. $13,500 for a bull elk hunt. But you are on the right track. If that is in your budget then I'd say also look at the Jicarilla Apache Indian reservation as well as the White River Apache reservation. You could also look up Doyle Moss and see if he has access to any tags in Utah. Their LE tags take about a decade of point accumulation but he may be able to help.

I'll be very interested to hear what you decide. So if you would how about keeping us posted. Oh one more thing: I wish I was your son. He must be a damn good kid! Oh and by the way... tell his mom if she doesn't want to go I certainly will! I'd love to just see those places.

[Zackwater]

Here goes some answers. My son is in great physical shape. Horseback or not doesn't really matter. I guess if you had a choice I would not pick the horse route. Rifle is the choice of weapon. As for size, I would say 350 plus. My budget $20k. But, Mom has to be happy and she is going too, as a non hunter. That's where the Inn of the Gods looked good at first glance. If anyone has any specific info on them, let me know.

[under H2O hunter]

In addition to Paul's (Elknut's) questions I'll add one: What do you consider big? You get what you pay for. In the world of reality a 300 inch bull is big. Anyone on this site would call that a shooter. But I know of places where you can have a crack at 400 inchers too. You would likely have to re-finance your house to hunt there though. Google up "Arizona Reservation Elk Hunts" and you'll see what I mean. You can dump 30K on trophy bull hunts at some of those places.

You are too late to hunt Wyoming as the license app deadline just passed. You have plenty of time to plan a Montana hunt. But regardless of what you decide I'll tell you this: There is no such thing as easy elk. If it is absolutely a must that your son kills a bull on this hunt you better be ready to write a check to hunt private land. I guess that comes as no surprise if you have been reading up on the Inn of the Mountain Gods. $13,500 for a bull elk hunt. But you are on the right track. If that is in your budget then I'd say also look at the Jicarilla Apache Indian reservation as well as the White River Apache reservation. You could also look up Doyle Moss and see if he has access to any tags in Utah. Their LE tags take about a decade of point accumulation but he may be able to help.

I'll be very interested to hear what you decide. So if you would how about keeping us posted. Oh one more thing: I wish I was your son. He must be a damn good kid! Oh and by the way... tell his mom if she doesn't want to go I certainly will! I'd love to just see those places.

Joe, There are 400 plus inch bulls on Public ground i Colorado as well. Here is prof for your viewing pleasure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqw25YgqDU0

[Indian Summer]

That video is humorous. I haven't killed enough 400 inchers to make a judgment call. But it was interesting that he propped it up beside an average 5 point bull instead of a 350 incher or at least some sizable 6 point. I don't really understand the point of the whole thing... all edited with music and all for a set of sheds. Is that a promotion sponsored by the Colorado Bureau of Tourism maybe? lol

Zackwater... I'd say book the hunt. The Inn of the Mountain God's is also an Apache reservation. Those guys have some serious elk. I might tell you to research the others I mentioned for size of bulls killed recently but they all have great bulls and since the Inn is actually called "Inn of the Mountain God's Resort and Casino" and you specified that his mothers entertainment is a main priority that is probably your best bet.