Need help : planning someones last elk hunt with terminal illness

[krapmit]

Hunt WA, I appreciate any insight on one hell of an over the counter bull hunt anywhere in the U.S.  Planning on getting a guide and getting a good shot at a bull over 300" for someone with a terminal illness. Planning for next season 2015.

 Overall cost plays a big factor, we're not rich but willing to find the "BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK" anywhere in the U.S. for a guide and otc bull tag. Want to create a memory to last a lifetime and a story for many generations to come.

Lets get this topic going, would love some advice from older, wiser folks.

[krapmit]

Also, keep in mind, this individual can not scale mountains, but can get around in medium terrain, but just not possible to cover over a few miles of ground each day.

[coachcw]

I would concider a sw ranch type hunt in new mexico or possibly one of the tribal hunts where a 300 bull dosnt get throphy fee'd . your friend should see plenty of good animals and enjoy there stay.

[bobcat]

I know of a great outfitter in eastern Oregon if you're interested in that. They hunt private land that nobody else hunts, and very little hiking is necessary. They have the same clients every year so you need to book your hunt well in advance. For the 2015 season you might be okay. It's nice that it's only a six hour drive (from where I live) and their success rate is really high. We hunted cow elk with them a few years ago and had our four cows harvested by the second day of our hunt. We saw some great bulls as well.

[usmc74]

Just found out a co-worker has stage 4 colon cancer......this may be his last year hunting.  Trying to think along the same lines, but he hunts eastern and me west.  He does have a large hunting group/camp so he won't be hunting alone.

[jason stevens]

Rocky mountain elk ranch in idaho if accesabilty and comfort are a big seller go there . Wish I was aguide I'd take em for free.

[trophyhunt]

Rocky mountain elk ranch in idaho if accesabilty and comfort are a big seller go there . Wish I was aguide I'd take em for free.

me too, if I won the lottery I'd guide people with disabilities and last wishes for free also!  This thread reminds me why my favorite charity is make a wish foundation, I hope he finds the hunt and animal he's looking for!

[Jingles]

There are a couple of elk ranches in the Missoula /Hamilton area that would probably fit the bill if you don't mind shooting fish in a barrel.

[RadSav]

Call and talk with Bearpaw.  If he doesn't have a suitable hunt I'm sure he knows other guides and outfitters who do. 

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Safari Club International would also be good sources of knowledge base for such a situation.  Though it might get hard to get in contact with the right people after next week as many will be busy hunting themselves.

[krapmit]

Appreciate all of the insight guys.  I was thinking of reaching out to bear paw for some advice.  There are a couple other stipulations..

1) I don't mind if its a private land hunt, that would be great.  But I don't want a small-area high fence hunt where you're paying to walk out for 2 hrs and pick the one out that you want.

Can I get some more insight on the tribal hunts?

[Netminder01]

Tag.

I'm interested in helping; not sure how at this point... but interested.

[bobcat]

The eastern Oregon outfitter I mentioned previously hunts WILD elk. No high fences. If it was my last elk hunt, I sure wouldn't want to be "hunting" a domesticated elk inside a fence. Maybe if that were the only option, but it's not.

[krapmit]

Thanks Bobcat, appreciate it! CAn you give me the name of the outfitter you're speaking of?

 Thanks everyone else.  I'm excited to plan this and make it happen. The trip planning is an open book at this point and just need to do my research with the help of everyone's insight on Hunt WA.

[bearpaw]

Generally speaking there is no such a thing as a cheap high success, over the counter tag area, elk hunt that actually results in most hunters killing 300+ bulls. Normally you will need to draw a tag or buy a private ranch or reservation hunt for the kind of odds and size of bull that you desire. I'm not saying you can't get a big bull in an over the counter area, we've killed many 300-350's class bulls in over-the-counter areas and so have other hunters, but most hunters don't get that big of bull in those type of areas on a one time hunt.

We offer elk hunts for a very reasonable fee in over-the-counter areas or for the same price in draw areas. In the draw areas I will guarantee a shot at a 300+ bull, I am confident I can get your dad on a 300+ bull, every hunter I've taken in those draw areas has shot at 325+ bulls. If he doesn't draw a tag there is the option to buy a landowner tag, but they are not cheap, the cost of those varies by area.

If the outfitter that bobcat recommended is booked, feel free to give me a call.

Good Luck 

[krapmit]

Bearpaw thanks a ton for joining the thread.  I pm'd you and would love to chat more in depth about options and maybe finding 2-3 hunts to narrow down to as possibilities.  Can you or anyone else speak to how hard it is to draw a bull tag in a quality area in Idaho, MT, OR or other areas you hunt?

We would have 0 point and have it be our first year putting in.

Appreciate it!