This hunt is on a private ranch, which is literally next door to another ranch for which we have sold many dozens of depredation hunts in the past. The area simply has an abundance of elk. You will be hunting a private ranch, and we sell the ranchers depredation elk hunts for them.
We normally expect our clients to kill solid 5x5s and 6x6s on this hunt. Most will be typical Colorado bulls averaging in the 250” to 270” range. Good respectable trophies, but not giants. The rancher tells us they see every year several bulls that might push into the 300”+ class. However, please do not purchase this hunt thinking you will kill one of those rare birds! You might, but only if lady luck smiles on you. We have been running close to 100% success on good solid bulls on the September voucher hunts. We do not typically offer late season voucher hunts, as they have not been as reliable. So we like September and early-October vouchers; anything later than that is low-percentage. And you can rifle hunt in September before anyone else has an open rifle season!! Or do bow or muzzleloader, your choice. Awesome opportunity and very unique! A few bulls might still be in velvet (legal), but majority are hard-horned.
This is a private land hunt, with a voucher supplied directly to you by the landowner. That means the rancher must deliver the voucher directly into your hands. You are not paying for the voucher. You simply buy the guided hunt. You must still purchase the Colorado Elk license at about $775 plus the $10 conservation stamp.
We seldom get chances to secure hunts on this ranch as she gets repeat guys who scoop them up. But she is reliable, and her depredation September hunts have been 100% successful over the last several years. This is a 5-day hunt. They call it guided 2×1, but it is loosely done, with plenty of personal freedom. These hunts are nearly-100% “truck hunts”, so you will be spending most of your hunting time driving or glassing from a truck, which makes it great for hunters that can’t get around in the mountains too well. And you will likely just hunt a couple of hours in the morning and again in the evening, hoping to catch the elk moving between bedding and feeding areas. So expect lots of downtime back at the cabin!
Ranch is approx. 8,000 private acres with an additional 3,000 acres that they also have access too. This hunt is best taken early, then you get the full benefit of the voucher. We like a September rifle hunt, when no other gun seasons are open, however early-October can be just as productive. Bulls are feeding in the meadows and very vocal. These elk require a lot of groceries to sustain their size and so every year they return to the alfalfa and grassy meadows. You normally will see a lot of game, but making the stalk is the thing. Or they will sit you where they expect the elk to parade past. The September depredation hunts here have normally had 100% shooting opportunity if weather co-operates. Later than that is low percentage.
Lodging is included. Not grandiose, but very comfortable, with generator, satellite TV, washer/dryer, and full amenities for hunters who wish to prepare their own meals. And again, no competition here, only a very few depredation hunters each year.
PRICE FOR 2024: $6,000 Bull/ $2,500 Cow. Extra cow only $600!
Includes: Walk in meat cooler to cool the meat and capes, and they have a list of processors in the area. Guiding and lodging. All sheets, towels, pots/pans running water, refrigerators, stove, TV, paper products including plates, cups, paper towels and TP are stocked. You will provide your own food, cooking, and clean up. There is also a restaurant about 4 miles down the road.
License is extra.
Also, the rancher has recently been getting some antelope vouchers which can be combined so you get to hunt BOTH elk and antelope! Elk early and late in the day, and antelope in between! Take two trophies home. Antelope usually open for the first week of October, so elk hunting is good then too.
ANTELOPE HUNTS In recent years, DOW has authorized the outfitter some antelope vouchers and we are 100% kill on these antelope hunts. Again the outfitter gives the hunters the vouchers at no cost and gives them directly to the hunters. You pay only for the hunt. These are 100% “truck hunts”, so you don’t need to worry about bringing lots of gear or warm/foul-weather clothing, as you will be in a vehicle almost the entire time, and you will likely be done on the first day.
$2,995; 2×1 guided, Lodging included. Expect un-hunted 13” to 14.5” goats
ELK AND ANTELOPE COMBO HUNT $8,990
This is a very unique situation. The rancher has elk vouchers that allow the hunting of bulls with rifle in September and early October and even into November. We FAR prefer the September hunts. Normally September and early October is archery-only season! But these are depredation elk and antelope vouchers as there are far too many of both in that unit. The rancher has been getting 5 depredation elk vouchers each year. That should continue for a while. Add to that hunt the fact that the rancher has two antelope tags for the ranch. Normally it takes 5 to 7 years to draw an antelope tag in this area! But she has them, so no draw. The rancher will issue you the vouchers directly, and by using them you them can buy your elk and antelope tags over the counter. We think 13” to 15” is realistic, and our hunters so far are tagging out in one day!
One note: for the last few years DOW has dragged its feet on issuing the vouchers, waiting until almost the last moment. This makes our clients very nervous, but so far the vouchers have always been issued. So patience is required.
HUNT Dates:
Bull Elk only: 5-day hunts mid-September to end of October
Cow Elk only: 5-day hunts mid-September to end of October
July Velvet Bull: 5-day hunts the last week of July (depends on voucher availability)
Antelope: 3-day hunts October 3-5 or 7-9
NOTICE: HUNTERS BORN AFTER JAN 1, 1949 MUST CARRY AND HAVE COMPLETED A HUNTER SAFETY GUN COURSE OR, IF BOW HUNTING, A BOW EDUCATION CLASS!
