Should I hire an Outfitter?

[FitToHunt]

Should I hire an outfitter?

After years of dreaming I'm finally gonna do a non-resident archery ELK hunt in 2015. I've hunted Elk/Deer in my home state of WA for the past 5 years or so, and killed 2 cows and a few blacktails. But, lets face it the opportunities on public land in WA aren't that great.

I've been doing my research and I'm pretty sure Wyoming in my best bet for having zero points. I'm 99% sure I'm gonna pay for the general season "special" application. And assuming I'll draw, I have to decide if I wanna go DIY or hire a guide...

I'd really really like to hunt way back in the wilderness areas, but someone I spoke to said I can still get a pretty good hunt with very little hunting pressure (which is super important to me), buy just hiking in a few miles into certain general units. 89 and 90.

I don't have anyone to hunt with, but I am very fit and strong so I feel ok about packing an elk several miles if nessacary. Of course I would love to hire a guide, but I guess I'm trying to weigh the costs.

So, I'd love to hear some of your opinions on whether it's worth the $5-6000 based on experience???

Thanks, guys

 

[JPSeveland]

If you are wanting to hunt wilderness as a NR you will have to go with a guide or a resident there are some great outfitters here in wyoming. If you want you can do a NF hunt instead of wilderness and still be successful. Hope this helps i have heard of a few good outfitters for general wilderness areas and most are around 4500-6000 in cost.

 

[ssliger]

I think it all depends on your expectations. If you're ok with any elk, go DIY. If you only want a mature good bull, maybe go with an outfitter.


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[woodtick]

I think it all depends on your expectations. If you're ok with any elk, go DIY. If you only want a mature good bull, maybe go with an outfitter.

Couldn't have said it better myself, I'm not completely certain anymore but the Thorofare used to be great for guys looking for that once in lifetime experience. I know the hunting is on the fritz in some areas around there. Hopefully some guys that are more familiar with that area could back me up.

 

[HuskyMusky]

a first time DIY public land hunt... IMO an outfitter would greatly increase your success odds.

you could get lucky on your own...

you could work your butt off and probably get it done.

after a few skunked hunts, I'm starting to like the idea of meeting up with a guide who knows the area from day 1!


although a successful trophy hunt on public land DIY doesn't get any better.

if you could swing it, I'd probably suggest the outfitter route especially if you want a 6x6 300"+ type bull.

 

[Don K]

If you have experience and the time then DIY would be fine. (if you have a couple weeks off) If money isn't a big deal and you don't have lots of time or experience then go guided.

For me killing a animal is great but not necessary to have a successful hunt.

 

[laxwyo]

You should be able to get away from people during the archery season no problem without going into wilderness. Might double check the deer season where you are looking to make sure deer hunters aren't all over the last two weeks of September. It it was me, I'd try it myself first before dropping the money on a guide

 

[FitToHunt]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've never killed a bull before so I'm not expecting a monster, but I would like a decent shot at a mature herd bull, and just as important I want to be able to Bugle and hear some screaming!! Just one of the reasons I really wanna get a away from the crowds. Most every place I've bow hunted in WA the elk are too call shy. Plus I've had several hunts ruined by other hunters of guys on quads.

If I do decide to go the outfitter route. Do any of you guys have a recommendation for guides I should look into? I've done google searches, but I'd love some first hand knowledge... I know they're not cheap, but I would like to find one that is on the lower end of the $$$ spectrum, and that wouldn't charge me an extra fee for 1 on 1. As I do not have a buddy to go with.

Thanks guys. Go Seahawks!!!!

 

[RICMIC]

I have had nothing but positive experiences with outfitted hunts in Wyoming. After a number of unsuccessful hunts in the west, I was able to learn enough to be a successful DIY hunter. You will find that a 1 on 1 hunt generally has about a 1K upcharge. Also, many outfitters are booked two years in advance, but I suspect that you will have an easier time finding an opening for an archery hunt. If you do go DIY, I strongly encourage you to talk someone into going with you (or even tie up with someone on this forum), as packing an elk out alone in warm weather may not be possible before some spoilage occurs.

 

[mntnguide]

You can look around, but most likely every outfitter is going to charge more for 1 on 1 than 2 on 1...they are making less money with 1 person instead of 2 so they need to make up for it somehow..its the business aspect of it. . There are plenty of good outfitters in the state, and bad as well. Do you know what region of the state you want to hunt? If you go guided, do you want to hunt wilderness via a horseback wall tent camp? or do you prefer being closer to amenities? There are plenty of outfitters who have "drive-to" wall tent camps who then hunt via horseback from them or trailer every morning vs. the true horseback "pack-in" style hunt. Or do you want horseback at all? Answers to those will help you narrow down the outfitters you might want to look into..then it is worth researching different ones. . Most important question to ask an outfitter is for a list of past hunters both successful and unsuccessful in hunting and actually make contact with some of them. They will give you the true thoughts on that outfitter. How many repeat clients the outfitter takes yearly is a big show of what kind of outfitter they are.

 

[FitToHunt]

mntnguide...

Thanks for the info. I do want a true wilderness hunt with horses for sure. I'm totally fine hiking all day, having little amenities, and hunting hard. I wouldn't do it any other way. And I totally understand about the business side of it too. I'd just heard it is possible to find some that won't charge for 1 on 1 since I'm doing the hunt alone.

 

[mntnguide]

I figured u seemed the type that wanted to get away..just wanted to make sure.. The outfit i spent 5 years guiding for is in the Teton Wilderness and our archery camp is about 32 miles from the trailhead..its a long day in haha. . that being said, we are booked every year for archery with return hunters usually, but if you want to PM me i can still share who it is I worked for. I am changing careers, and will not be returning next season, but wish I was cause its an amazing place to spend the fall. . I am happy to answer questions on any outfitters you can look up, whether i know anything about them or not i would be happy to provide my knowledge. Also, some outfitters will have a couple of single people such as yourself looking for a less expensive hunt, and they can team them together for the 2 on 1 price..It kind of sucks from the guide perspective with 2 people who dont know one another because they have to decide who gets first shot etc..but i have guided those types of hunts before and it does work out.

 

[Elkhunter96]

Were you guiding the headwaters of the Yellowstone River up through two ocean pass? I believe the trailhead starts at Terpin Meadows. If so, some of the prettiest country I have ever seen...

 

[mntnguide]

Im up in that vicinity...not gonna say exactly where. haha. I went out of Turpin most the time while running summer pack trips, but used a different trailhead for hunting season. It is some unbelievable country..Through spending 4 years of summer pack trips up there, I have covered about all there is in that region and it will never get old. I look forward to going back in there and hunting for myself in the future

 

[Huntinguy0120]

Another benefit of hunting the archery season is they will be bugling. Gives you a good advantage with or without a guide.

 

[FitToHunt]

Been doing some checking into guides for the wilderness areas in WY. Seems like most the guides that hunt those are already booked for 2015 There are spots available with guys that just hunt the general units, but I think if I'm gonna go that route, I'd just go DIY.

I talked with a hunting consultant over at huntinfools, and he thinks I should look into units, 84, 89, 90, and 92. Any insight into those units for archery? Like which one could a motivated guy get away from other hunters?

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Give Justin Jarrett a call, Wapiti Ridge Outfitters.