Planning an elk hunt in Colorado? Embarking on a guided elk hunt is an excellent way to maximize your experience and success in the Centennial State’s breathtaking wilderness. Colorado is renowned for its thriving elk population and stunning landscapes, making it a premier destination for elk hunting enthusiasts. If you’re considering a guided elk hunt in Colorado, here are answers to common questions to help you prepare for an unforgettable adventure.
Essential Gear for Your Colorado Elk Hunt
Packing appropriately is crucial for a comfortable and successful elk hunt. When hunting elk on our ranches, you’ll need to bring your preferred weapon, ensuring it’s chambered in a suitable caliber for Colorado elk. Hunting apparel should include durable clothing and sturdy boots designed for varied terrains and weather conditions. A reliable backpack, binoculars for spotting game, and a rangefinder for accurate shots are essential. Don’t forget camp clothes for relaxing after a day’s hunt. We provide all towels and sleeping gear at the ranch, along with access to a fully stocked kitchen where our cook prepares delicious, hearty meals. Consider bringing coolers or a freezer to transport your harvested meat home.
Private Land vs. Public Land Elk Hunts in Colorado
Our guided elk hunts primarily take place on leased private land in Colorado. We secure access to over 50,000 acres of privately managed land, supplemented by BLM lands under special usage permits. This extensive access allows us to guide our clients through diverse habitats, terrains, and elevations, significantly increasing your opportunity for a successful hunt. Approximately 95% of our elk hunting occurs on these private leases, offering a more controlled and less crowded hunting environment compared to public land.
Understanding Elk Hunting Trophy Fees
We believe in transparent pricing. Unlike some outfitters, we do not charge trophy fees. The quoted hunt price remains consistent regardless of the size of the bull elk you harvest, whether it’s a 200” or a magnificent 350” bull. You can focus on the hunt and the experience without worrying about hidden costs based on trophy size.
What Size Bull Elk Can You Expect?
Colorado is known for producing quality bull elk. On our guided hunts, clients typically harvest bulls scoring in the low to high 200” range, representing a good example of what Colorado elk hunting offers. There’s also the exciting possibility of encountering and harvesting bulls scoring in the impressive 300” – 320” range. Our goal is to provide you with an opportunity to harvest a mature, representative bull elk within a fair chase hunting environment.
Elk Hunting Package Prices and Inclusions
For detailed pricing on our rifle elk hunting packages, please visit our rates page. The price of your Colorado elk hunt package is comprehensive, designed to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience. It includes all meals prepared at the lodge, comfortable lodging accommodations, expert guide services, and, of course, the breathtaking views and overall adventure that Colorado offers.
What’s Not Included in Your Elk Hunt Package?
Please note that certain items are not included in the base price of your elk hunt package. These include:
- Hunting License & Tag: You will need to purchase your Colorado elk hunting license and tag separately. We can assist you with information and guidance on this process.
- Game Processing: While we will field dress your elk, including gutting and skinning, and prepare it for processing, the actual game processing is not included.
- Taxidermy: Taxidermy services for your trophy are not included.
- Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages are not provided.
- Guide/Cook Tips: It is customary to tip your guide and cook to show appreciation for their services. We recommend a minimum tip of 10% for your guide and $100 per hunter or guest for the cook.
- Transportation to the Lodge: Transportation to our lodge from your home or arrival airport is not included. However, once you arrive at the lodge, we provide transportation to and from daily hunting locations.
Fully Guided Elk Hunts Only
To ensure the highest quality experience and maximize your hunting success, we offer 100% fully guided elk hunts only. We do not offer self-guided or semi-guided hunts, or drop camps in Colorado. Our experienced guides are dedicated to providing personalized attention and expertise throughout your hunt.
Guide to Client Ratio on Elk Hunts
Our standard guide to client ratio for elk hunts is 2 clients per 1 guide. This ratio allows for focused guidance and support while maintaining a personalized hunting experience.
Upgrading to a 1:1 Guided Elk Hunt
In select seasons, upgrading to a 1:1 guide-to-client ratio may be possible. Please contact Earl to discuss availability and pricing for a private, one-on-one guided elk hunt experience.
Obtaining Your Colorado Elk Hunting License and Tag
Purchasing your Colorado elk hunting license and tag depends on the specific season you choose. Some seasons, such as Archery, Second Rifle, and Third Rifle, offer over-the-counter licenses. Other seasons, including Muzzleloader, First Rifle, and Fourth Rifle, require drawing a license. Muzzleloader licenses are typically the most challenging to draw, often requiring 2-6 points for non-residents. First and Fourth Rifle licenses generally require 0-1 point to draw. We provide assistance to all our clients with the license application process if needed, navigating the Colorado Parks and Wildlife system.
Post-Harvest Animal Care
Our commitment to service extends beyond the hunt itself. Once your elk is harvested, our guides will immediately field dress the animal. We then transport it using ranch equipment to our skinning shed, where it will be hung, skinned, and capped if required for taxidermy. We will also remove and clean the ivory teeth for you to keep as a memento. We can assist with transportation to our preferred partner processor in Walden, CO, located approximately 20 miles north of our lodge. If you prefer to process the meat yourself at home, we will help quarter and pack the meat into your coolers or freezers.
Client References and Reviews
We are proud of the experiences we provide. References from past clients are available upon request. We also encourage you to check out client reviews on our website’s homepage and our Facebook or Yelp pages to hear directly from hunters who have hunted with us before.
Booking Your Guided Elk Hunt
To reserve your spot for a guided elk hunt with I&A Outfitters, we require a 50% deposit at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to your hunt start date or by July 30th for hunts taking place in November.
Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise. While we cannot offer cancellations, we do allow you to reschedule your hunt to the following year if we are notified at least 60 days before your original hunt start date. Notifications received within 60 days of your hunt start date will not be eligible for refunds or rescheduling.
Discounts for Youth Hunters or Groups
We are dedicated to providing exceptional service to all our hunters, including youth hunters. As the effort and resources required for a youth hunt are the same, we do not offer discounted pricing for youth hunters. Similarly, due to our 2:1 client-to-guide ratio structure, we do not offer discounts for larger groups.
Travel and Airport Information
The closest major airport to our hunting ranch in Colorado is Denver International Airport (DIA), located approximately 120 miles away. The drive from DIA to our ranch is around 3 hours, and rental cars are readily available at the airport. For shorter drive times, you can consider flying into Cheyenne, Wyoming, or Steamboat Springs, Colorado, which can reduce your drive by 1-2 hours. If you have a private plane, you can land directly in Walden, Colorado, and we can arrange for pick-up. Please note that we do not offer pick-up services from any other airports.
Hunting Game Management Units (GMUs)
We guide elk hunts in Game Management Units 16, 17, and 171 in Colorado. These units are known for their excellent elk populations and diverse habitats.
Physical Demands of Colorado Elk Hunts
Our elk hunts are rated as moderate to difficult in terms of physical demand. While the terrain is not typically steep mountain climbing, the elevation, ranging from 8,600 to 10,000 feet, can be challenging, especially for hunters accustomed to lower elevations. The landscape features rolling hills and varied habitats, from sage flats to timber fringes and aspen groves. Physical preparedness is important for navigating these areas, quickly moving to intercept elk herds, and getting into shooting position.
Weather Conditions to Expect
The Rocky Mountain region is known for unpredictable and variable weather. During your hunt, you could experience temperatures ranging from 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Sudden weather changes, including storms and sub-freezing temperatures, are possible, especially in the afternoon. It’s essential to be prepared for all seasons in a single day and pack layers of clothing to adapt to changing conditions.
Hunting Transportation Methods
Each morning, we depart from the lodge in guides’ vehicles to reach the hunting areas. From there, hunting is primarily conducted on foot. We do not utilize horses or ATVs for hunting on our ranches. You may be walking to your hunting spot, tracking elk on foot, or utilizing elevated, heated blinds as vantage points for glassing and spotting elk, particularly on colder or snowy days. These blinds offer comfort and strategic advantage for locating elk.
Client Opportunity Rates
We focus on providing high opportunity rates for our clients. On average, our client opportunity rate for elk encounters is around 65%. However, this rate can fluctuate from season to season and even group to group, ranging from 20% to as high as 95%, depending on weather patterns and environmental factors throughout the year. Each hunting season is unique on our ranches. We emphasize that clients booking with us are seeking the full hunting experience, with harvesting an elk being a part of that experience. Hunting free-range elk is a challenging pursuit, and the stunning Colorado landscape and camaraderie of the hunt are integral to the overall adventure.
Guest Fees for Non-Hunters
Guests are welcome at our lodge on a space-available basis. Our priority is always our hunting clients. If space permits, we do allow non-hunting guests for a fee. Guest fees are as follows: $1,150 for 3 days, $1,750 for 5 days, $1,950 for 6 days, and $2,275 for 7 days.
We hope this guide has answered your questions about guided elk hunts in Colorado. Contact us today to book your unforgettable elk hunting adventure!
