Elk packer that also does trailrides

[atskuv]

Here's my plan and I hope you guys can help. I'm a east coast deer/bird hunter that has never been elk hunting and never been to Colorado. I hope to go this year or next but I would like to get a feel for the land. So my plan is to take my family on vacation in Colorado, go hiking and do a horseback trail ride in a area that I plan to hunt. The ranch I would be looking must also do packing out for the self guided hunter. I want to do a self guided hunt and have someone to call for packing out my elk. I think my plan would go along way towards a good relationship with the packer in advance. I'm not looking for that trophy elk just yet and I'm willing to work hard for any elk because I believe they are all trophies. I would be of course buying my tag if I went this year over the counter and I think I'd would like to keep to the flat tops area. Do you guys have any suggestions for a horse ranch that is not overly expensive (not looking for the dude ranch experience)just a day on the trail and would fill both my needs?

thanks \
Jeff

ps ;I wouldn't mind getting to do a little fly fishing or small game/bird hunting

[Indian Summer]

That is not going to be quite as easy as it seems. Think about it for a second... what is an outfitter doing during prime time elk season? Certainly not sitting around waiting for someone to call on a random day so he can saddle up and pack an elk out.

As a former outfitter and a DIY hunter I can tell you what things you need to consider. First there are plenty of outfitters who do summer pack trips. Some do day rides, some overnighters. So that part isn't to difficult. But commitments are a two way street. So what I would suggest is booking a drop camp. Since you are a new elk hunter you'll get more than just a camp for your money. With the right outfitter you'll also get some god advice on where to hunt along with a plan B. Since it sounds like you are hunting solo you will also have the comfort of knowing that someone knows where you are AND they will be checking on you mid week and bringing any additional supplies you might need and packing your elk out if you have one down. Also with that arrangement the sky is the limit as far as where you can hunt. If you are solo DIY you absolutely have to consider where you can feasibly kill elk and get them out based on various weather conditions.

The other thing about outfitters during the season is that they are not easy to get in touch with. They don't necessarily get a phone signal and their schedule changes by the minute. An outfitter basically spends 3 months a year on call from guides and paying clients.

If you really don't want to book a drop camp I would suggest starting with a base camp keeping your options open and hunting where you know for sure you can get an elk out in a reasonable amount of time.

You said "ranch I would be looking at" You can lease private land but you would most likely need a group to do so. But you also said "Flattops". That's public land. Which is it? The Flatops outfitters I know don't base out of a ranch. They drive to a trailhead, have a basecamp there which is not set up in the summer, and have high camps as well.

Lots to learn and think about. Perhaps OTCWill will chime in. He's a wealth of info on hunting in Colorado as are several others on here. Welcome to Elknut Forums and good luck Pilgrim.

[atskuv]

That is not going to be quite as easy as it seems. Think about it for a second... what is an outfitter doing during prime time elk season? Certainly not sitting around waiting for someone to call on a random day so he can saddle up and pack an elk out.

As a former outfitter and a DIY hunter I can tell you what things you need to consider. First there are plenty of outfitters who do summer pack trips. Some do day rides, some overnighters. So that part isn't to difficult. But commitments are a two way street. So what I would suggest is booking a drop camp. Since you are a new elk hunter you'll get more than just a camp for your money. With the right outfitter you'll also get some god advice on where to hunt along with a plan B. Since it sounds like you are hunting solo you will also have the comfort of knowing that "someone knows where you are AND they will be checking on you" mid week and bringing any additional supplies you might need and packing your elk out if you have one down. "Also with that arrangement the sky is the limit" as far as where you can hunt. If you are solo DIY you absolutely have to consider where you can feasibly kill elk and get them out based on various weather conditions. .

Thank you for some very sound advice . I was kind of tossing around the same idea but had it in my head I would go it alone, Now after reading it as advice from someone else it makes total sense; a drop camp is the only safe and fair way to go about my first hunt. I was hoping my brother could go but he has no more elk hunting experience than me so even with him going a drop camp would still be the only way to go.

You said "ranch I would be looking at" You can lease private land but you would most likely need a group to do so. But you also said "Flattops". That's public land. Which is it? The Flatops outfitters I know don't base out of a ranch. They drive to a trailhead, have a basecamp there which is not set up in the summer, and have high camps as well .

I guess I worded it incorrectly I should have said outfitter I'm not looking for a ranch and private land, I will be hunting public land.

Lots to learn and think about. Perhaps OTCWill will chime in. He's a wealth of info on hunting in Colorado as are several others on here. Welcome to Elknut Forums and good luck Pilgrim.

Yes I've a long way to go, I had the chance to accompany a gentleman from my home town that had experience and was willing to take me along but money became a huge issue and I regretfully had to decline. boy do I regret missing out on that great opportunity.

Thank you fro your input and great advice
Jeff

[Indian Summer]

Have you thought about looking for a partner on here? This place has been known to be Elk-Harmony dot com.

[atskuv]

The elk hunting dating game !!

I'm not sure anyone would want to take on and or be a mentor to a 50 year newbie. Not that I don't have anything to offer, I'm in ok shape (working on that now)could and would help pack out and always maintain a possitive attitude , decent cook , love to drive even long distance I live in The NY hudson valley but origionallly come fron Erie Pa.

[longbowelk]

One option if you are set on using horses is pick which unit you want to hunt in and see if sombrero will have any there for you to rent in the summer, that you could also the rent to hunt with in the fall. The only downside to having stock with you if you are by yourself is that you have to take care of them and yourself while out hunting. I think the ranches up near glendevy used to do trail rides in the summer and then be more of guide service in the fall so try some of them.

[Indian Summer]

Never say never atskuv. We have lots of people who fit the same description. I would think that instead of people in the same boat going solo they would want to get together. Two heads are better than one and I know for a fact 4 legs and two backs are better than half that!

Anyone?

[phall]

i was going to reccommend sombrero ranch as well they do it all. drop camps, drop horses with saddles, and pack outs, etc etc. i would reccommend doing a summer family trip to do some horse riding, fly fishing, and scouting. do your research nail down a couple areas through map research, friensds, forums, biologist, etc then get sombrero to drop you a couple horses for you and your family do day rides or a couple overnighters to scout, fish, etc. another option would option would be rent a horse put your own panniers on it, use it to pack in your camping gear, and then hike, camp, and fish with your family. this type of trip will arm you with all the info you need to go home and plan your future hunt. another good option would be something that was all ready suggested and that is to do a tag along hunt where you go camp, hike, cook, clean, pack meat, etc. this will guide you into the ins and outs of what you need and what a successful diy elk hunt requires

[atskuv]

The Horse option is out, My family said no way are they going horseback wilderness camping. So if I go I will be a hiking in. I would prefer a non motorized area, If I'm working hard to get in shape, bought a new pair of asolo promatic hiking boots I'm not looking to be with a mob of quad riders. I like riding quads as much as anyone but I kind of want to go a more traditional hiking hard way it would be more satisfying for me.

Two heads are better than one and I know for a fact 4 legs and two backs are better than half that!

I'm all for joining up with someone I agree packing out a elk alone sounds hard maybe even unrealistic.

do a tag along hunt where you go camp, hike, cook, clean, pack meat, etc.

I'm in for all of that except maybe the etc.

[jmez]

If you end up finding a packer you also need to have a plan B. Don't be surprised if you can't get ahold of him when you need him or he just flat tells you he can't come get your elk. Unless you are doing a drop camp I would not plan on a packer being available, even if lined up beforehand.

[atskuv]

Thanks Jason but yea that idea is out of using a packer with a scouting out trail ride first.

I will either hunt with someone else either a friend, family member or someone I get connect up with ,

go it alone ,

or drop hunt with a outfitter

preferable in that order

[Packn]

If you can find someone to split it, a drop camp sounds like what you are looking for. Would add another $1500 or so to your hunt but coming in green it could be money well spent since you don't have the opportunity to scout and learn an area. Food for thought.

[Indian Summer]

If you can find someone to split it, a drop camp sounds like what you are looking for. Would add another $1500 or so to your hunt but coming in green it could be money well spent since you don't have the opportunity to scout and learn an area. Food for thought.

Heck yeah!