Outfitters that do game packing in Colorado

[Eric Bailey]

Have any of you used outfitters for game packing in Colorado? I prefer to hunt alone in the back country. I have packed out deer a fair distance by myself the past two years, but this year I want to focus on elk. I have called a few outfitters and they seem to think of game packing for a lone hunter as competition for their drop camps and guided hunts. Which I guess I understand.

I don't have the cash to do a drop camp or guided hunt, and I prefer to carry camp on my back anyway. So, I am looking for an outfitter that is OK with doing game packing only.

I have no experience handling horses or mules, so renting stock is not an option for me.

I am particularly interested in GMU's 43, 54, or 75/751, but would like suggestions for any unit. I'd like to see as much of this state as I can while I'm young enough to do it.

Any help you guys can provide would be great!

Eric

 

[packmule]

There are a cpl women that might do it for 54, would have to be after they got off work though.

 

[BullDawg]

Tenderfoot might do it if you are in there permit region. The thing is outfitters are only allowed to work within their permit area so you have to make sure that you pick the guy that is permitted in the area you are hunting in

 

[COLOelkman]

My experience is the same as yours Eric as outfitters don't seem too interested in advance to commit to what you're looking for. Ones I've talked to say they'd pack it but their guided and drop camps have 1st priority so they may not be able to do it when you want/need it! Also hard to get a price from them since they don't know exactly where you'd be relative to where they are. I'm sure if it's convenient for them and they happen to have some dead time they may do it however it would certainly be a risk that they could just say no and you'd be on your own. I had one years ago tell us definitely not because their clients would then consider packing in and just paying for getting elk out so he felt he'd loose money in the long run if he started just packing out meat. They don't want any other hunters in their areas to give their clients a better experience which is understandable but some that I've talked to act as if they own the property and you are trespassing!

 

[Kodiak32]

Try calling the local DOW office and asking the game warden about ranchers in the area or outfitters. I know in a few of the units I hunt in the local ranchers will do this. I think you'll have better luck with the ranchers rather then outfitters. I've personally never used one but have heard of a lot of guys doing it. Good luck!

 

[Engideer]

I have contacted several in southern Colorado. I had a couple that said yes, but then added that they would only pack out from certain locations. That wasn't very helpful, since, packing the meat to the location they would come to was the hardest part. I can definitely see the advantage of owning your own pack animals.

 

[Horniac]

My experience is the same as yours Eric as outfitters don't seem too interested in advance to commit to what you're looking for. Ones I've talked to say they'd pack it but their guided and drop camps have 1st priority so they may not be able to do it when you want/need it! Also hard to get a price from them since they don't know exactly where you'd be relative to where they are. I'm sure if it's convenient for them and they happen to have some dead time they may do it however it would certainly be a risk that they could just say no and you'd be on your own. I had one years ago tell us definitely not because their clients would then consider packing in and just paying for getting elk out so he felt he'd loose money in the long run if he started just packing out meat.

IMO COLOelkman is right on with his post. We were fortunate to be able to talk Tenderfoot Outfitters into packing out my nephew's archery bull last year. I think we were fortunate and walked into their camp when their packers and stock had some down time. We also came prepared by having cash on us. Having cash in your pocket to pay for packing services in the backcountry is a definite plus when you are trying to negotiate a deal!

As BullDawg stated though, just like an outfitter, you can't just pay anyone with a pack horse - they have to be permitted by the agency that oversees the land you are hunting (i.e. NF, BLM). You might utilize the search page on the Colorado Outfitters Association website if you haven't done so already for permitted outfitters/packers in your hunt unit; http://www.coloradooutfitters.org/default.asp?parent_id=121&is_gallery=0
If you can find a straight packer (as opposed to an outfitter with hunters) permitted to operate in your hunt unit, I think you will have a much better chance of setting up something in advance...

Good luck!

Horniac