Best Private Land Elk Hunt

[Ranger10]

Hey guys,

My Dad and I are planning an elk hunt for my college graduation present for fall of 2014. We have been looking at a few outfitters and I wanted to get yalls opinion on them. We tried to book with Vermejo Ranch in NM, but they were full, however theres a 50% chance of a cancellation. So that could be one option. Trinchera Ranch or Tercio in CO with Lancasters Outfitters is another option. Wagonhound in Wyoming has been recommended, so thats an option. And were also considering somewhere in or near the Gila in NM, or a CWMU hunt in Utah. What would y'all consider to be the best option from either the ones I mentioned or another outfitter in the same price range that i have not mentioned?

 

[BKC]

Hey guys,

My Dad and I are planning an elk hunt for my college graduation present for fall of 2014. We have been looking at a few outfitters and I wanted to get yalls opinion on them. We tried to book with Vermejo Ranch in NM, but they were full, however theres a 50% chance of a cancellation. So that could be one option. Trinchera Ranch or Tercio in CO with Lancasters Outfitters is another option. Wagonhound in Wyoming has been recommended, so thats an option. And were also considering somewhere in or near the Gila in NM, or a CWMU hunt in Utah. What would y'all consider to be the best option from either the ones I mentioned or another outfitter in the same price range that i have not mentioned?

If you are a bowhunter, the Tinchera Ranch w/ the Lancasters is a no brainer. I know the ranch a little and Pat Lancaster is as good as there is.

 

[Elkoholic307]

I doubt very many people on this forum have had experience with the type of hunt that you're after.

That said, the UU Bar Express or whatever the heck it's called looks to be pretty darn good. It better be for the price they put on it.

I don't know anything about it besides what I've seen on TV and their website.

 

[Cobbhunts]

I don't know much about guided hunts, but wouldn't wagonhound take a significant amount of PPs being in unit 7?

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[BKC]

I don't know much about guided hunts, but wouldn't wagonhound take a significant amount of PPs being in unit 7?

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

You dont need PPs if you have $ !

 

[Ranger10]

I doubt very many people on this forum have had experience with the type of hunt that you're after.

That said, the UU Bar Express or whatever the heck it's called looks to be pretty darn good. It better be for the price they put on it.

I don't know anything about it besides what I've seen on TV and their website.

Yea the UU Bar keeps being brought up. I really don't like their trophy policy. Its $12,500 up front then a $2500 harvest fee. Not worth it.

Trinchera seems to be a good deal.

 

[mattdeere]

You didn't mention what kind of hunt you and your dad are after? If Trophy is all your after and money isn't too much of a concern than I'm sure any one of those you've mentioned will prove fulfilling. Not sure if you want to stick around the forum long but if you do check out our new members section and tell us a little about yourself.

 

[packmule]

There's Cotton Mesa in CO if you're into that sort of thing.

 

[Musket Man]

Not sure if you want to stick around the forum long but if you do check out our new members section and tell us a little about yourself.

I would like to nominate mattdeere as our official introduction request guy

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

PMs sent….

 

[Alabama]

I would like to nominate mattdeere as our official introduction request guy

Haha. That was pretty cold. Welcome aboard ranger10.

 

[Granby guy]

Roftopaulas ranch in NW colorado with landowner tags would be hard to beat. You couldn't go wrong with the Hill ranch either.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Roftopaulas ranch in NW colorado with landowner tags would be hard to beat. You couldn't go wrong with the Hill ranch either.

I'll second that recommendation on the Bobby Hill Ranch, the Eastman family hunts that a lot. They've taken some Big bulls there.

 

[Hilltop]

If you have Wyoming Preference Points, there are several amazing hunts to be had. Check out Triple 3 in the little Tisdale Mountain Range as well as area 108 in the southern part of the state. I drew 108 this year with 7 points. Be very careful in New Mexico as there are many outfitters that lead you on and don't provide. I have personally guided for one outside of Chama that guaranteed 6x6 bulls- He was a crooked man. Most of our hunters settled for 3 year old bulls or went home empty handed. He over hunted premium land so they just never got any age on them.

If you have no preference points, there are some general tag hunts that can be great. I keep those a little more secret... do your research and you will find some good ones.

 

[Hilltop]

BKC - Doesn't matter how much money you have in Wyoming- You can only get one PP per year. I guess a governor tag for 50k is an option...

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

BKC - Doesn't matter how much money you have in Wyoming- You can only get one PP per year. I guess a governor tag for 50k is an option...

There are Commissioner tags that are far less money. Last I heard was they were in the $8K range. Which brings up an alternate strategy. Buy a commissioner tag and hunt Unit 124. You should kill a 330-350 bull.

 

[BKC]

BKC - Doesn't matter how much money you have in Wyoming- You can only get one PP per year. I guess a governor tag for 50k is an option...

Ranger10 never said they were using PPs. I think his dad is going to use $. They are looking to buy a hunt. If you had enough PPs to draw on these ranches in NM, CO, or Wyo, I think you would be older than college age.

 

[Hilltop]

I hadn't heard of the commissioner tags? That's not a terrible price. Can you hunt state wide?

You can get pp at age 14- at age 22 you would have had max points if he started 8 years ago. I just drew a blue chip tag with 7 points.

 

[Ranger10]

Ranger10 never said they were using PPs. I think his dad is going to use $. They are looking to buy a hunt. If you had enough PPs to draw on these ranches in NM, CO, or Wyo, I think you would be older than college age.

Correct, neither of us have ever entered the draw in any state. This will be my first elk hunt, and after this one I plan on entering draws and building PP for a DIY hunt.

Roftopaulas is 15k and out of our price range. Can anyone tell me the price at Hill Ranch? I found on another forum that it starts and 12k and they charge a trophy fee. Not sure if this is correct.

Right now we are looking hard at Trinchera with Pat Lancaster. I will find out by the end of next week what dates are available. It could turn out that he only has the first hunt and last hunt available, can't remember the exact dates of those hunts. Is early and late season significantly less productive than late September early October?

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Correct, neither of us have ever entered the draw in any state. This will be my first elk hunt, and after this one I plan on entering draws and building PP for a DIY hunt.

Roftopaulas is 15k and out of our price range. Can anyone tell me the price at Hill Ranch? I found on another forum that it starts and 12k and they charge a trophy fee. Not sure if this is correct.

Right now we are looking hard at Trinchera with Pat Lancaster. I will find out by the end of next week what dates are available. It could turn out that he only has the first hunt and last hunt available, can't remember the exact dates of those hunts. Is early and late season significantly less productive than late September early October?

Look at a Utah private land hunt. Typically better quality bulls than in Colorado. Or even buy a landowner tag on one of the mid tier units and have an outfitter guide you on public land. Either would be a quality very high success hunt.

Supply and demand dictates the prices of those high quality elk hunts. If you are getting a "bargain", likely you are making a compromise. Just make sure you understand what that compromise is.