hiring a outfitter

[dbur525]

I want to hunt elk for the first time next year, so im starting to make plans now.

Has anybody ever hired  one of those pack outfitter companies to do a drop camp?

I'm really thinking about it, they supply most of the gear including a tent and stove, they set it up once you reach your destination.

I thought about staying out there 7 days.

I also thought it would make it easy to pack all your meat  on a  horse, i do not see any other way to get all that meat back without without killing yourself. 

[ICEMAN]

dbur525, lots of time to get ready. Packing is not really an insurmountable thing to accomplish. The way I look at packing meat is; take your time, carry a safe size load, use your friends. You are basically done hunting, so enjoy the moment of bringing your meat home.

You may wish to try to hook up with another member who is not committed to a group. Get out and scout together, and plan your own hunt together. This will make it seem more doable.... Good luck.

[LongTatLaw]

If you decide the pack in style outfitter isnt the way you want to go...

You could look up a member's site

Sherman Creek Outfitters

The guy is on here and his sign on is Outfitter. His real name is Joe Rasperson.

Ive never hunted with him but Ive been on his hunting land and Ive seen his land featured on the Drury Outdoors videos. He is in NE WA...about an hour North of Spokane.

He seems to really care about his clients and getting them on game but its all free range so no 100%!!

Also, another member has Turkey guided for joe so he can speak to Joe's dedication to his hunters.
his name is coasthunterjay

any way

he isnt a pack in guide (to my knowledge) but he has some skills and he is a hellofa nice guy!
 
dave

[fc2038]

Were do you want to hunt for elk at?

[1bowhunter1]

Dont due the outfitter thing!!!  It is, and would be so much more fullfilling to due it with close friends and maybe make new friends along the way.  I would rather have tag soup then hire some one like that.  Thats how I feel, anyways.  You might as well let them shot it for you also, and you just payed big $ for a long horse ride!!  I would go hunt with you for free and help pack out, just like alot of other hunters on here...Hope to not rub you or anyone else the wrong way it just my

[rasbo]

Joe Rasmussen Is his name... We got screwed on a hunt in Idaho yrs ago,check out everything ya can.Alot of guys i know book a guided hunt first so they get a feel for the area then do drop camps.PS it wasnt Rasmussen.....Im doing a hunt 23 miles into the Bob Marshall Montana 2010.Its a great experience riding that far into the wilderness.If we like it we will be doing drop camps there.A good guide and outfitter will show you a great time and alot of good memories.If ya want to do something do it! You will regret it later if you dont..

[dbur525]

FC

we want to hunt the north central cascades, but will go where there is the best chance to get an elk. in state

[dbur525]

Tatlaw

i will look up that guy and see what he has to say
thanks

[finnman]

PM Muleysniper, him and his dad did a drop camp in Oregon this year.

[WALLEYERICK]

I hear both sides of this, and I understand wanting to do it yourself.  I think there is a misconception of a drop camp.  I hired Dave Waldron of Waldron Outfitters out of Pomeroy this fall for a trip of a life time into the Wenaha Wilderness.  I am really big into doing my own thing, so a drop camp was a no brain-er after trying to scout the area twice before the season.  I knew I was in deep caca if I did not find a way to get into the heart of the wilderness.  If i would of went in without help I don't know how we would of got all equipment and gear or my trophy out.  Dave had camp set up and we where responsible for our guns, ammo, and food.  He did not tell me where the elk were, and I'm not sure he even knew.  He did know that his prior clients had there opportunities in the area that he dropped us.  We scoutted hard for 2 days prior to the opener and that is how we made it happen.  It gave me great relief to know that he would be coming back with mules it the days to follow, and that gave me miles more to search for Bull.  I still had a 6 mile walk one way the day I shot him.  He went down in the evening and we only had time to dress him.  I had a 6 mile walk one way the next day plus a 1000' drop and climb in elevation to retrieve him.  That's 24 miles in two days before any mule came along.  To make a already long story short, 4 of us went in and everyone of us would use Dave and his group again in a second.  I started this hunt just like you, asking the guys on this web site.  I ended up calling the game department in Pomeroy and they highly suggested Waldron Outfitters, so you might try the local game office in the area you are planning to hunt. good luck
and shoot straight.

[norsepeak]

I'm a die hare do-it-yourselfer too, but sometimes due to time constaints people aren't able to scout and don't want to waste a rare opportunity on the chance that someone will help out...Most of our customers are that way.  We do everything from fully guided and outfitted to just drop camps to just day hunts...depends on what the clients want.

www.ruggedclassoutfitters.com

[huntnphool]

If you are looking for Idaho or Montana I can highly recommend www.billmitchelloutfitters.com
His drop camp trips are awsome, one of my favorite trips ever.

[fc2038]

Hey phool--- Did he drop you at a specific camp he set up? Or did you ask him to set camp up in a specific place that you requested?? I love the drop camps makes life easier when you want to do it yourself.

[BrushChimp]

If you want to get an elk out without using stock and without killing yourself, you ought to get in shape first......and hunt with a friend. 

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

mules dont use a horse they are a nightmare... mules are the only way to go