Draw Tag.... General Formula for Guide/outiffter cost?

[HuskyMusky]

Does anyone have a general idea what it would cost to get a guide/outfitter once you draw a certain tag?

I'm sure there are many ins and outs with this.

Like quality tag.... public land vs. private.

Just seems like elk hunts are 2 options if guided/outfitted, expensive and really expensive, lol.


Unless a tag is a real premo public land low pressure I think if I drew a good tag I'd like to hunt private land, although at the same time I know sometimes private land tags can be easier to draw as less pressure in the draws than some of the public land high pressure tags.

Which also has me wondering if I should be waiting to draw the best units vs. good/great private land units.

Money is currently tight, so no real plans to go guided this fall, but hopefully in the future.

I think I might actually want to do a rifle elk hunt in WY and/or MT and get an elk before chasing some more premium elk bow tags in other states like AZ UT, etc...

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

In my experience private land hunts generally run a little more than public land. Lots of variables to think about:
Lodge vs camp, horseback vs vehicle, and more. Some hunts are in spike camps other in cabins, some you use ohv & trucks to get around, while some are on horseback. Prices also vary by state. Hunts here in Colorado will start in the 4K range and go up from there. Wyoming are a little higher. Some hunts have access to landowner tags and can get expensive.

If I was doing this for the first time I would decide on the species you want to hunt, then narrow it down to what state. State game depts. have lists of licensed outfitters. Lots of good outfitters will be booked up several years in advance. Usually they will want a deposit of up to 50%. Ask for references and call them.

Lots to think about and I have only touched on some of it. I have been on mostly backcountry. wilderness horseback hunts. Done between 25 & 30 over 50 years.

 

[gypsumreaper]

CC touched on a lot of info right there.
Camp amenities will raise price as well. Guide to client ratio will raise price. Type of land hunted will affect it as well private, public with private only access, national forest, Blm or wilderness. Some outfits even charge per species say you are going for elk it's this price and get a deer tag add on this much. It's good to start building a relationship with an outfitter in advance, the more time you have talking to them the more you can learn about their stuff. Most guys won't spill the beans in one call, they want to leave a few things out it peaks your interest and gets you to call back.
There are also things to be skeptical about a guaranteed hunt is usually worrisome, a lower price than everyone else, no contracts, cash only. Colorado and Wyoming both have websites to find outfitters. Although the Colorado Outfitters association does not have every outfitter listed.
Guidefitter.com is a site to help find Outfitters. Ask on the forums of Outfitters in an area you are interested in or even the state. Google search for Outfitters.