COLORADO OUTFITTED DROP-CAMP ELK HUNTS

Trip Units:

DESCRIPTION:

This outfitter is owned and operated by residents of Montrose, Colorado. They have lived their entire lives farming, running livestock and hunting the Western slope high country of Colorado. They are fourth generation family members in the Uncompahgre Valley (where Montrose is located). The outfitting business has been a stronghold for the family for three generations and making their company a reality was the goal for many years. They are steadfast in their ideals of providing services to the best of their abilities and being recognized in our profession as a top-notch outfit. They have been working in this arena their entire lives, they know business, the horses, and packing in and out of remote camps. They have a team of guides, wranglers, cooks and helpers that make this whole thing work very well. They pride themselves on honesty and integrity.

If you are looking for an outfitter to provide you with an honest and memorable hunting trip or perhaps an unforgettable family vacation in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, you have found a good one here! Their areas are known for their elk herds and mule deer hunting, as well as its spectacular Rocky Mountains with the majesty of the Continental Divide running the length of the state. They have resident herds of elk and mule deer found in some of the most coveted hunting grounds in the western region. Their goal is to provide a quality hunt or outdoor experience for you that will bring you, your friends and family back year after year. Their country is filled with the vivid colors of quaking aspen trees, various wildlife and and the timberline tundra. They pride themselves on being one of the best elk and mule deer hunting outfitters around.

Their hunting operation is conducted in game management units (GMU) 65 and 66. GMU 65 still offers archery elk hunting, second and third season rifle licenses for bull elk over the counter. GMU 66 is totally limited which means that you needed to apply for licenses early April. Results for the hunting license draw will be available May 31 (elk) and June 1 (deer).

These drop camps are designed for hunters who like to hunt on their own and take care of themselves. All of their camps are either in the Gunnison National Forest, Uncompahgre National Forest, or Wilderness areas of Game Management Units (GMU) 64/65 and 66. This is located in the San Juan Mountain Range of Southwestern Colorado. Elevation ranges from 9,000 up to 12,500. Terrain is a mixture of dark timber, aspen groves, snow chutes and open meadows. Unit 66 high country is noted for its tundra – fantastic habitat for elk and timberline bucks!

They give you direction and all the tips they can think of in order for you to achieve a successful hunt. They check camps by radio and horseback and pack out your game accordingly. All drop camp hunts consist of 5 full days of hunting with one day for pack in and one day for pack out – seven days total. Extra days can be arranged for during archery, muzzle load, second and third rifle seasons and the late rifle cow hunts.

They do not mix drop camp hunters. Drop camps are private. They do require a minimum of two (one can be a non-hunter) in the camps for safety issues. Once you reserve that camp, you can add others to your camp if you wish to do so. They build their camps to suit your group. They consider these camps as “yours” and they will accommodate as many as you wish to have in camp with you.

PLEASE NOTE: They may need to repack items in order to balance the loads. Please picture your gear going in on horseback!

For hunters that want to do everything DIY (Do-It-Yourself), they provide the following also:

DIY PACK SERVICES:
- Charges to get you and your camp in are figured by greatest number of pack/ride animals used for the trip.
- $450 each horse or mule, round trip, including the packer’s horse.
- If you request a ride check or re-supply during your hunt, there is an additional $450 per check.
- 150+/- lbs limit per pack animal.

GAME PACKING:
- Bull elk $600
- Cow Elk $400
- Deer $400
- Bear $600
- Moose $1,000

Inclusions:

Exclusions:

PRICING OPTIONS:

PRICE SUMMARY:

• Meals are not included, but the outfitter can assist with the following:
  • 1. For a service fee of $150 paid to the outfitter, you can call in to the local Walmart and order your groceries for pick up. The outfitter will pick everything up.
  • 2. For a service fee of $150 paid to the outfitter, you can also send a grocery list to the outfitter, along with the necessary funds for the groceries, and they will purchase and pick up your groceries.
• These are canvas wall tent camps equipped with food and camping equipment – basically everything you need except your bedroll and personal items.
• Each person is limited to 50 lbs. of gear packed in two equally weighted duffle bags (approx. 25lbs ea), or one 50 lb. duffel, one gun/bow case (hard case recommended for the pack in), and one 10 lb. day pack. Sleeping bags for all rifle hunts need to be rated 0 degrees to -20 degrees.
• Prices are per person and include a fully equipped tent camp and all packing services.
• Client brings their own food and personal items.
• They have no minimum or maximum number of guests per camp.
• Kitchen and sleeping tents are separate unless client chooses to have one combined to lessen the need for firewood during the cold seasons.
• Add 2 additional days to your hunting day plans for pack in and pack out day.
• Please do not make flight reservation for the same days you fly in or out.
• It is recommended that you stay in Montrose the night before you pack into GMU 65; or Gunnison for GMU 66.
• They will provide transport from your hotel to the trail head if you fly and need transport.
• You can pack out any time you want or need to, just let the outfitter know if you do not want to use the full length of the hunt time.