Elk hunt for my Dad, NV, CO, AZ, WY?

[HuskyMusky]

My dad's 72, doesn't really want to pay an outfitter to hunt an elk, but basically has 20pts in those 4 states, NV, CO, AZ, WY.
Not sure this will be the best year for moisture? perhaps 1 state over the others?
Also because he doesn't want to pay $9k for an outfitter, we may have to DIY it. But success on a nice bull over skunked chasing a monster. I doubt there is a cheap outfitter option? like $3500?
Thinking if a rifle rut hunt is an option maybe that would be easier higher success option? but he's comfortable bowhunting.
He hasn't taken an elk yet either, we've been on a few elk hunts tho.
Thanks in advance for any insight, tips, suggestions.

 

[gonhunting247]

20 in each state? If so any one would probably work. I think AZ or WY would be my top picks.
Whatever you decide, I hope he gets a nice bull and has a great adventure!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Just my opinion as an "oultimer"................
I would pick a state and go with an outfitter as his hunt of a lifetime. I did that when I was 70 and don't regret it.

 

[JimP]

I agree with CC.

With a outfitted hunt you can get as much out of it as a DIY one. You can participate just as much as you want or just sit back and enjoy it. On both of my hunts in South Africa I was a active participant as far as finding the game animals that we were after. If the PH was glassing I was glassing, when we were tracking a wounded animal I was right with them looking for blood, for as much good as I was doing with the tracker doing 99% of the tracking. I even spotted a few animals before the PH and or tracker did.

But one of the biggest things with a outfitted hunt is that the outfitter may have access to horses to get the elk out. That right there is well worth the money invested in the hunt especially for us older hunters who don't want to hump a elk out of a canyon.

 

[Maxhunter]

I agree hire an outfitter and enjoy the hunt. I have a couple WY outfitters I’d recommend. PM me your cell phone number and I can text the info. Would your Dad be okay hunting grizzly country?

 

[HuskyMusky]

20 in each state? If so any one would probably work. I think AZ or WY would be my top picks.
Whatever you decide, I hope he gets a nice bull and has a great adventure!

I think it's 19 in each state going into 2026...

 

[HuskyMusky]

Just my opinion as an "oultimer"................
I would pick a state and go with an outfitter as his hunt of a lifetime. I did that when I was 70 and don't regret it.

kinda agree, trying to talk him into that.

 

[ScottR]

Shoot me a message Husky, I might have an option for you.

 

[gonhunting247]

Good luck with what you decide. I hope he has a great adventure and gets a big bull too! AZ has been good to me, but I haven't been on a guided hunt so I can't comment on that experience. This will be a one and done most likely, for him, in each state, so if money isn't an issue, guided/outfitted might be a good thought. I am still stuck on DIY at my current age and income and love every minute of it !

 

[RICMIC]

Your dad already has a lot of money tied up into points, and a big consideration is his age. He may be in great shape, but that can change in a heartbeat, and even a guided hunt could become no longer possible. I have been on 25 out of state big game hunts, most after turning 55. Of those, six were for bull elk (guided in WY or CO), and were 100% successful. All were on horseback in wilderness areas. The overall success of the camps as a whole were about WY - 50%, and CO - 25%. All but one were general NR tags. My nickname from one of the repeat outfitters is "Rambo", he says that my success is due to 3 things; 1. I am in great shape. 2. Willing to go where others won't. 3. I don't miss. Experience and comfort with horses is also a huge plus.
I have found success on limited entry cow elk hunts, but 0% on a number of DIY bull hunts. I have packed out a cow elk and mule from the deep and steep, and tho I am in good condition for my age (73), I would no longer even consider doing that again.
If you have the time to assist Husky I would look at a DIY somewhere, and possibly renting horses, and also look at an outfitter in a hard to draw area. You can do a muzzleloader hunt in CO in mid Sept. and a guided hunt in Oct. or Nov. in the same year. Good luck.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Do yourself a favor and spend the money. It’s worth it to have the help and make his hunt the best it can be.

 

[HuskyMusky]

Shoot me a message Husky, I might have an option for you.

PM sent.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

FYI
If you choose Nv shoot me a PM. I can give you a few places with OnX to hunt DIY. I guided in some of the best units in Nv for elk Rifle.
also Scott can get you in touch with some great outfitters and I can do the same.