What to do???

[cntryep3614]

Okay so I'm in a predicament

Recently purchased a 2nd rifle otc guided hunt near Durango... with T Bar M first elk hunt of my life so I am trying to learn....

This morning a friend invites me to hunt what is his soon to be father in laws large private ranch during the 4th season with him for 5 days for the cost of the tag..... He told me it's a draw but through the years of hunting nobody has not drawn the private ranch tag... seems to me trophy potential increases on the second trip. Both hunts will take about 24 hrs to drive to

I'm looking over tags and it seems as if you can only shoot one bull and one cow... which hunt would you use your tags for and why

 

[ivorytip]

if you have access to a private ranch in elk country id take that

 

[NE69]

Private ranch this year, can you get the guided hunt moved to next year?

 

[JimP]

What is the trophy potential for the private ranch compared to the guided hunt, and which one would you be happier with?

I know of a lot of private ranch hunts where you will be lucky to find a 300" bull, but the same can be said about the guided hunt.

Also what happens to your deposit on the guided hunt? I doubt that it would be refunded but they might apply it to another year.

 

[cntryep3614]

I'll be happy with both but the outfitter hunt would be more of an adventure (pack horses and mules and wall tents) really don't want to push it back... does anyone know if the private land draw has a cow only option

 

[JimP]

They usually do but you will have to look at the guide book with the unit to see if it offers "Private Land Cow" tags for that season.

If you have never done a guided hunt you will love it. The outfitter usually takes care of everything and all you really need to do is to pull the trigger. But it is more enjoyable if you pitch in with what ever you can do for them in camp.

 

[MountainHigh]

I would get some more info on the private ranch, but hunting pressure should be less and make for a fun hunt if you go private this year and try to get guided hunt moved to a later date. That is my opinion.

 

[COLOelkman]

Considering this is your first elk hunt, I'd certainly opt for the private land hunt first as you will learn a lot the first time. I'd not get too focused on a "trophy" as any elk for a first timer should be considered a trophy. Considering you'll be paying good money for a guided hunt, I'd see if you could do that one next year like a few others suggested. Also, the guided hunt sounds like it would be potentially tougher terrain but not sure on the private land hunt. So, one suggestion I'd have for either hunts would be to learn as much beforehand as possible and Elk101 has a great resource to learn from called Elk Hunting University which you pay for online access to the materials. I'm a very experienced (old) elk hunter and have found it to be the best source to learn from covering everything you'd want to know and probably more! Good luck with whatever way you choose!

 

[Hilltop]

One thing to keep in mind- A lot of the 4th season private ranch hunts depend on weather to move elk to them. If the year you go happens to be a mild weather year you could be hunting a big ranch with no elk. Ask a lot of questions about both hunts and do a little research. All things equal, I would likely choose the guided hunt for your first but no wrong answer here as long as you do your research.

 

[JimP]

On a guided hunt you are depending on your guide to show you where to go and what to do. If you watch him and ask questions you could learn a lot about elk hunting from him.

Where on the private land hunt you are going to be dependent on your friend or even yourself to find and shoot a elk if you are not that experienced at elk hunting.

I would do the guided hunt first, if you pay attention it could be a eye opener.