Advice on elk hunt for 2017 with my dad

[Shane13]

I hope my question won't get me banned from this forum. I know this is the DIY public land hunt capital of the world. But I am wanting to take my dad on an elk hunt next year. He'll be 71 next year. He has had several health issues the last few years, so he isn't up to packing in on a DIY elk hunt. He is also too old to build points for a good draw. He used to hunt elk back in the 70s and 80s, but he has never killed a trophy or close to trophy sized bull. I'd love for him to kill a nice bull. 280-300" 6x6 would be fantastic.

So our options to realistically have a chance at that next year are OTC or guaranteed draw tags in areas that have lots of hunter pressure and/or more sparse elk numbers, likely requiring a long pack in to escape the crowds (which he can't do), or find a private land hunt (either OTC tag or landowner permit). $6-10K per hunter is more than we can spend on it, but I've seen several places that offer trespass fee hunts and drop camp hunts in the $2-4K range.

We are in Texas, so it would be a non-resident hunt. An archery hunt wouldn't be out of the question. It would be my first choice, but Dad would prefer a rifle hunt. Do any of you folks have a recommendation for me that would fit my dad's needs for 2017? Feel free to PM info to me if you don't want to post it publically. I'd appreciate any guidance I could get on a specific ranch or outfitter for a hunt with a good chance of successfully killing a decent bull. Any state we could find that type of hunt would be fine.

Thanks

 

[tim]

Idaho is a state that has rifle hunts during the rut. Mainly in wilderness units, but worth checking out. lots of options for a guided wilderness hunt. Mile high outfitters out of challis has these type of hunts.

 

[Shane13]

Thanks for the suggestion. Looks like they're above my price range, and wilderness hunts would probably be too much for Dad anyway. I'm looking more for trespass hunts on private land, I think. Something easier. I appreciate the ideas though. That might be something I'd want to do myself after next year.

 

[mntnguide]

Stay away from Frank church wilderness hunts especially when trying to get a 280-300" bull. .that and the wolves have decimated the hunting in there. I know from years of experience in there...and those hunts are about as physically demanding as you can get. Nothing comes easy in the Frank

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[mntnguide]

Montana would be a good place to look at as well. .easy to draw general tag and lots of private land type operations that you could look into

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[Slugz]

I'd set up the Craigslist auto search app for the western states. Let the machine do the searching for you. In Colorado I would target a first season rifle hunt that's a doable plan for 4k and under. Realistic expectation would be a mature heavy horned 5x5 or small 6x6 in Colorado for that price range.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I'd contact 3-4 hunting consultants and see what options they have. Give you a good basis of comparison. There are several outfits in NW WY where you can drive to their camp and horseback to the hunting each day. Mntnguide would likely know of some there.

I've used consultant Wade Derby to arrange reasonably priced trespass fee and guided hunts for me, over the years, and helped him secure a speciality hunt in OR. Have not worked with him in about 5 years, but he was reliable. Here is his web site. http://www.crosshairconsulting.com/ . There are a number of others, such as http://www.atcheson.com/ .

Good luck finding what you seek.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Check out landowner tags in New Mexico. You could get tags for a pretty descent unit for your budget, but it would be DIY.

 

[dan maule]

Stay away from Frank church wilderness hunts especially when trying to get a 280-300" bull. .that and the wolves have decimated the hunting in there. I know from years of experience in there...and those hunts are about as physically demanding as you can get. Nothing comes easy in the Frank

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Agree with everything you said but, boy what a beautiful awesome place to experience.

 

[Shane13]

I appreciate all the help. Thanks!

 

[480/277]

What UH said....

 

[WapitiBob]

A voucher in a low end unit in NM will cost you 2k, mid tier 280 bull unit like 34 has been hyped up and those now run 4K. I will send a guys email and you can discuss with him a plan. They are friends of mine and a hunt will run you around 4. He and his guides have been together for a decade, no new hires off craigslist. They discuss areas every day and team up if needed to get you in the animals. You will have modest accommodations nothing fancy but that's where I'd go. I hunt with his guides for a few days every time I have a nm tag.

 

[Shane13]

A voucher in a low end unit in NM will cost you 2k, mid tier 280 bull unit like 34 has been hyped up and those now run 4K. I will send a guys email and you can discuss with him a plan. They are friends of mine and a hunt will run you around 4. He and his guides have been together for a decade, no new hires off craigslist. They discuss areas every day and team up if needed to get you in the animals. You will have modest accommodations nothing fancy but that's where I'd go. I hunt with his guides for a few days every time I have a nm tag.

Sounds good, Bob. Thank you, sir.

 

[Elkhunter96]

NM or CO would be my two cents. low to mid level units, like others have said