Out of State Hunt Planning Advice Needed

[EastTNHunter]

As some of you may remember, I am an elk hunting rookie that plans to hunt CO with my then-63 year old dad in the 2019 1st rifle season. I had been trying to get a few friends together to plan a DIY or pack-in hunt, but it looks like it will be just me and my dad. My dad had a stroke a little over a year ago, but was able to go on a guided hunt in unit 21 this past November. He has some minor health problems, but is in overall good shape for his age and despite the stroke. He had some knee problems last fall, but the doctor has identified the problem and is giving him treatment now so that the swelling and pain should be more manageable, but I cannot count on a pack in hunt with just the two of us and expect any real chance of success, or for him to be able to make it in extreme terrain. He really liked the outfitter that he used, and he put my brother on a nice bull a few years back and is relatively affordable, but in that unit either sex tags are for private land only and my dad has not had a good chance at a bull in two trips.

I was looking at units 23-24 for either sex hunts, and with the 3 preference points that we will have by that time we should draw, but I do not have any knowledge of outfitters in this area. Does anyone have any leads that you could PM me on outfitters or tips for semi-guided hunting this area that may not be too demanding on an older man that would still give a good chance at success? We are willing to consider other units, so long as 3 preference points are sufficient. We are also willing to consider trespass hunts, but do not know where to start. More than anything we are wanting an enjoyable experience, but it will not be enjoyable if there is not a reasonable chance at success, or if we are having to hunt around people more than hunting the elk. My dad prefers a bull, but we are not trophy hunters and we will take any legal bull, or a cow if a bull does not present itself. My dad says that this will likely be his last chance to elk hunt, so I really want it to be a good one.

We are really wanting to stay in CO due to the family traveling there and staying on a vacation while my dad and I hunt. Traveling to CO any more than a few days before the hunt for scouting is not feasible.

Sorry that this is so long, but I felt that all of the details were important. I would gladly give my phone # via PM if that makes communication easier.

Thank you in advance,
Ryan

[Swede]

EastTn, I can't help you on Colorado, but is there any way you can get out and hunt any sooner? Learning your area, how to hunt the critters, and observing the elk that inhabit an area is something that takes some time. You can shorten that time by reading and taking in all you can, especially from a web forum like this, but get out there as soon as you can and as much as you can. Best wishes.

[EastTNHunter]

Swede, I would love to, but with the job and family responsibilities there is no time in the schedule or budget. This hunt will be quite the sacrifice as it is. I am only able to do long distance planning and scouting.

I have always been a meticulous scouter and hunt planner for deer here in the east, and I usually have to scout for my dad since he doesn't really understand topography or anything other than just finding a deer trail and sitting next to it. But even time to do that has diminished greatly over the past few years.

[saddlesore]

Contact Jeanne Horne of J Bar H outfitters out of Meeker CO.She was named outfitter of they year and serves on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. You won' t find a better outfitter in Co. She operates in Unit 12.

You can hunt out of cabins from her base camp or do drop camps where she furnishes everything except food and personal items. All her drop camps are in prime elk country. Prices are every reasonable.
She is now taking bookings for 2017 and will fill up fast. So booking hunt in 2019 is very doable,but don't wait long to do it.

If you talk to her, mention Vince Mautino recommended her.I hunt up the road from her place and have done so for quite a few years.She and her staff have become good friends

[EastTNHunter]

Thank you, Vince. I will give her a call. Do you know what kind of preference points are needed to draw an either sex tag for this area, and is she on private land or public?

[saddlesore]

She hunts public land.

This years regs show no either sex tag,except on Private land.Bulls or cows only. For the 1st rifle season,the hunt code would be E-M-011-O1R and the cow tag would be E-F-011-O1R. Although the code shows unit 11,it is good for 11,12, 23,24,25, and bunch of other units. All cow tags are B tags ,which means a person can buy both bull tag and a cow tag or two cow tags.

You can get on the CPW web site and find the hunt statistics and it will give you preference points that drew it.

The Feb issue of Colorado OUTDOORS also will have prefernce points shown. The 2016 issue shows no points required Muzzle Loader ,bull tags, take 12-13 points though

[EastTNHunter]

Thank you. I printed off the odds, and it looks like 3 preference points are not needed to draw a bull tag, but she seems to have had a 100% success rate on bulls for 2015. I will give her a call tomorrow or Friday.

[EastTNHunter]

I talked to Jeanne today, and she was very friendly and helpful. She will definitely be added tony short list, although she does not offer semi-guided hunts.

[sojurner 65]

I am 68 and have some health issues also. I booked a hunt through this outfit http://www.premierhuntingadventures.com/category/elk/ They have hunts for all manner of types. I'm hunting 1st rifle (hopefully) here this year, unit 70 http://www.rockingrhunting.com/ Reasonably priced 2x1 guiding, high success rate, no horses!

[EastTNHunter]

Thank you. That is a lot of information to go through. If you don't mind, can you please share how you selected that outfitter? Please let us know how the hunt goes

[oldillini]

Want to consider other options in Unit 12 (Meeker area) you might consider Sable Mountain Outfitters (http://sablemountainoutfitters.com/). Used them last fall for a fully guided camp/hunt. Great hunt. Camp was at ~8,000 feet, but hunted typically at 9,000 - 10,000. It was a 2-1 hunter-guide ratio. They also offer options for guide services with you providing tents, etc. We hunted first rifle season with 3 out of 4 of us successful with 5x5 bulls. I am skipping this year, but plan to go back in 2017 with them. Might give Anne Marie a call.

Draw for a bull tag in Unit 12 was no issue last year. Did it with 0 points in the bank. We went every where via horse. It was ~2 hour ride in then every day we had anywhere from a 30-60 minute ride to area we hunted.

[sojurner 65]

Thank you. That is a lot of information to go through. If you don't mind, can you please share how you selected that outfitter? Please let us know how the hunt goes

I live in PA and inquired on a local forum about possible hunts for us old guys and a fellow recommended Premier. He has been fair with me and found the CO hunt. I wanted to hunt this year and only started looking in February! I almost booked one of the New Mexico hunts but someone cancelled out on the CO hunt and I grabbed it. Absolutely, I will report on it, about 5 months to go!

[EastTNHunter]

Thank you all for your responses. I definitely have more to research now.