Looking for an elk outfitter recommendation

[joker2400]

Has anyone hunted elk with an outfitter they highly recommend? My main consideration is ease of acquiring a tag. It would ideally cost less than a leopard hunt too….

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I've hunted elk with the same Montana outfitter for over 20 years. Can highly recommend Rising Son Outfitters. Give Randy and Dena Petrich a call. It might take you 2-3 years to get a tag in Montana and also get an opening with the outfitter, as they stay booked up. Archery hunts are a little easier to obtain than rifle hunts. I've done both and taken big bulls.

Send me a DM if you have any questions.

Thread 'USA: Rifle Elk Hunt With Rising Son Outfitters In Montana November 2024'

Nov 9, 2024

I just got home last night and will start a new hunt report on another incredible elk hunt with Rising Son Outfitters in Montana.

A view from elk camp


This hunt included an old hunting buddy that had hunted with me numerous times. Also along were two of my sons in law. Iggy had hunted with me in 2020 and taken a nice 280-ish bull on opening day. For my other son in law, Steve, this would be his first hunt out west.

• 375 Ruger Fan
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• Forum: Hunting reports USA & Canada

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Thread 'USA: Rifle Elk Hunt With Rising Son Outfitters In Montana October 2020'

Oct 12, 2020

USA: Rifle Elk Hunt With Rising Son Outfitters In Montana October 2020

Another Montana elk hunt with Rising Son Outfitters is about to start for me. In 2017, I took son-in-law #1 on this same hunt (https://www.africahunting.com/threa...on-outfitters-in-montana-november-2017.40896/ ) and this year it’s son-in-law #2’s turn. I was actually hoping to do this hunt in 2019, but when I contacted Randy and Dena Petrich at Rising Son (http://www.huntinginmontana.com/ ) in early 2018, they were already booked solid for both 2018 and 2019...

• 375 Ruger Fan
• elk
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• Forum: Hunting reports USA & Canada

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Thread 'USA: Rifle Elk Hunt With Rising Son Outfitters In Montana November 2017'

Nov 11, 2017

So starts another "Dave's wrong way adventure," crossing the big pond in opposite direction to go on a hunt. I left Lagos, Nigeria in late October and arrived back home in Louisiana. I had a little over a week to round up my gear, go shoot my rifle and get ready for my late season elk hunt. This is a hunt I booked about 2 years ago for me and my son-in-law, Jordan. Jordan is a very experienced deer and duck hunter, but this will be his first elk hunt. A lot has happened since I booked the hunt. Jordan and my daughter, Erin, moved from Louisiana to Midland, TX and also very recently...

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• Forum: Hunting reports USA & Canada

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[Hwcollins]

Mike Elliott with Discover Montana Outfitting. I did a backcounty trip with him in the Beaverhead near Ennis, MT and it was incredible. I was unsucessful, but would 100% reccomend him. I will hunt with him again. Happy to talk more about my experience.

Guided Hunting Trips – Discover Montana Outfitting

 

[Heeler75]

No outfitters to recommend, but easiest tag is buying a landowner voucher in New Mexico. While not the cost of a leopard, a chance at a 275" bull will cost you at least $9,500 starting out (outfitted hunt). I hunted elk in WY in 2023 and took 4 points in the special to draw. I think point creep is up to 5 or 6 currently.

 

[etsonaut]

Chris Guikema
Compass West Outfitters
Primary New Mexico - Lots of Landowner Tag opportunities on private ranches.https://compasswestoutfitters.com

 

[SafariCurious]

Chris Guikema
Compass West Outfitters
Primary New Mexico - Lots of Landowner Tag opportunities on private ranches.https://compasswestoutfitters.com

Ironically, I just contracted with Compass West a few days ago, they applied for elk and Oryx tags for me, and I agreed to use them as my guide if I get either tag.

OP, the deadline to apply for the cheaper publicly available tags in New Mexico is TOMORROW MARCH 18th!

If you want a chance to draw a public elk tag in that state you want to apply ASAP, although if you contact Compass West or another outfitter they may be able to handle the application or you, and if you apply with an outfitter, you have much better draw odds in New Mexico

 

[SafariCurious]

I want to add that unlike most US states, New Mexico does NOT do any points, no preference points and no bonus points.

So as a first time applicant you will not be disadvantaged by competing in a draw with a bunch of people who have more points than you.

Also, in that state for elk tags they reserve 86% of the elk tags for residents, and only 4% to DIY non-residents. 10% go to non-residents who have a contract with a guide/outfitter.

 

[etsonaut]

Ironically, I just contracted with Compass West a few days ago, they applied for elk and Oryx tags for me, and I agreed to use them as my guide if I get either tag.

OP, the deadline to apply for the cheaper publicly available tags in New Mexico is TOMORROW MARCH 18th!

If you want a chance to draw a public elk tag in that state you want to apply ASAP, although if you contact Compass West or another outfitter they may be able to handle the application or you, and if you apply with an outfitter, you have much better draw odds in New Mexico

Chris is as good as they get even though he’s a pretty big volume outfitter. I was planning a private land hunt with him this year but I put it off until next year since Africa worked out for my sons and me this year.

 

[SafariCurious]

Lastly, I want to add that you may also wish to consider Nevada. I have hunted deer with G and J Outdoors in Nevada before and was a very good experience.

When I finally draw my elk tag in NV (which may be years in the future) I will probably hire them as my guide (unless I am an experienced enough hunter by then, in which case I might attempt DIY), but if you have zero points in Nevada the draw odds would be terrible for you.

But, there are private landowner tags you can purchase if you don't mind spending a LOT of extra money.

 

[MontanaPat]

We have tons of outfitters in MT that do good elk trips. Contact Montana Hunting Company for one option, they book numerous ranches one being Ted Turner's Flying D (350"+ bulls the norm) but it takes years to get on their if ever since it is all return clients. I hunted one of Turner's other ranches thru MHC and got a 342" bull. They have 4-5 ranches for elk hunts, some are pricey. Another good outfitter in MT is Absaroka Beartooth Outfitters out of Big Timber. Depends on what type of hunt you want really, if you want a horseback backcountry trip staying in wall tents versus a lodge you could check out Broken Hart Outfitters out of Townsend MT, I've heard good things about them. You can also check the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association website (montanaoutfitters.org) and browse through their list of registered outfitters and find a number to contact with all types of hunt/camp options.

As far as size of elk here, if you are on an outfitted hunt you should be able to shoot a 300" bull or better. Anything less and you probably picked an outfitter without a decent area. There is no reason to waste a tag here on something under 290-300" IMO.

As far as drawing a tag as a nonresident, it usually takes 1-2 preference points to draw. Buy a preference point this year and you should draw next year. Most outfitters will help you with the draw and will hold a spot for you until you draw. I've heard that nonresidents can expect to usually hunt every other year here.

 

[joker2400]

Thanks for the recommendations guys! I’ll look into them. I’ve been so focused on my whitetail property and African shenanigans that I am just now looking out west. As such, I have no point for anything anywhere. I’ll buy some this year however.

Vermejo sounds like a blast, but a bit spendy for me at this point. It sounds impossible to get on the reservations for under $30-35k these days as well, but I haven’t been able to find much info on the management bull hunts.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Contact Scott Limmer. Comanche Wilderness Outfitters. He will have a hunt for most budgets and abilities.

 

[Altitude sickness]

About Us - Comanche Wilderness Outfitters

About Us How It Started Scott Limmer, manager of Comanche Wilderness Outfitters (CWO), started the business in 1991. Growing up in South Dakota on family property bordering the Black Hills National Forest, Scott developed a love for the outdoors through hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing...

comanchewildernessoutfitters.com

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Chris Guikema
Compass West Outfitters
Primary New Mexico - Lots of Landowner Tag opportunities on private ranches.https://compasswestoutfitters.com

I’ve hunted with Chris, and know him very well.

For New Mexico and Landowner Tags he’s a great option. He also outfits in Southern Colorado but my preference there would be @Scott CWO

Another option in New Mexico is Jeff Lester of Hunt Hard Outfitters. He guides in the Gila Units so expect a hunt cost w/ LO voucher to rifle that of a new F150, but if you draw a tag in those Gila Units there’s no one better and he typically has a Governor’s tag holder hunting with him. When I drew my Gila Tag he hunted 30+ consecutive days w/ a governors tag holder and killed a 436” Bull the week before my season kicked off. He was a wealth of information there and in Arizona as well.

In Wyoming I’m very close friends with Kory the owner of 7-7 Outfitters in Gillette. Just know most of his Elk areas will take significant points or a lot of luck in the Random Draw.