Horseback outfitters (ID, MT, UT, CO)

[ljsommer]

This is intentionally vague. When I got it into my head I wanted to hunt, I had one dream hunt in mind: horseback pack-in, bow, elk, Colorado rockies. My timeline is "before I die and not before I'm ready".

With that in mind, has anyone else had this kind of hunt? What considerations do I need to make? Is this dependent on waiting until I draw some sort of OIL tag/low odds tag, or do some states have high-quality tags that are given to outfitters for just this purpose?

If you have any recommendations, please share. I am looking for hunt experience, scenery, a true "off the grid" feel to the trip. Planning 5+ years out so cost isn't much of a limiting factor.

[Magnum_Willys]

Consider BC.   

[ljsommer]

Consider BC.

Oh? Tell me more.

[gasman]

A hunt like this is in my bucket list for sure 

[vandeman17]

Does it have to be the Rockies? I have done one in Montana and going on my second in Oregon this fall

[ljsommer]

Does it have to be the Rockies? I have done one in Montana and going on my second in Oregon this fall

No - sorry, I must not have made it clear: My original goal was Rockies but I am open to UT, CO, ID, CO or WY. Really the only requirement is that it's truly epic, it's on horseback, it's archery and it's elk.

[kselkhunter]

The Bob Marshall elk hunt, packing in on horse back is one of my bucket list items.  Multiple outfitters do that hunt.   Getting in far enough to see the China Wall would be cool. 

There is a remote area in Colorado that I wanted to do as well, but after talking to that outfitter I needed to build up points first so that one is a ways off.   

If you're going with an outfitter instead of DIY, Canada offers a good option as well.   Lots of options there.  Although if I did Canada it would be moose not elk. 

Wyoming would be an awesome option with an outfitter as well.  You have plenty of options.  Just depends on your budget and preferences. 

[bornhunter]

Start putting in for quality elk tags asap. I did what you are looking for in Wyoming a few years back and it was truly the adventure you seek. Horseback, archery, lots of big bulls and way back in right on the border of Yellowstone. All in wall tents with camp cook and great chow. Took a nice 6X6 on first day and my guide had it dressed and on a pack horse in no time. Not for the faint of heart with some outfitters. Do your homework and check as many references as possible. Good luck.

[ljsommer]

Hoping to get some quick info:

Out of the following states, where should I be building points? I am unclear on which states allow points and what kind of points.

ID
MT
UT
CO
WY

[idaho guy]

Idaho has lots of options in frank church I have gone in on my own horses but not guided I would avoid the selway units like 17 for elk but salmon wilderness units I have heard good things about guided hunts. I would check Chris correl out. Most wilderness is any weapon on 9-15 open so not sure I would use bow. You don’t have to draw tag or try and build points for next 50 years. If you are really interested in Idaho wilderness i will check with some retired guys I know who had a great guided horseback hunt in one of those units I don’t remember name of outfitter they used.

[CAMPMEAT]

Look up Idaho for Wildlife on Facebook. Billijo is an outfitter who also owns that website. She does horseback hunts.

[firehawk87]

Bornhunter.... what outfitter did you use on your trip back into the Thorofare Of Wyoming??? Chances are we were there the same time. That is my first home....have spent years back there.

[firehawk87]

LJSommer....shoot me a message and I will help ya out.

[theleo]

Just be realistic with your expectations. Every outfitter is going to say how amazing their hunting is so ask for references from past clients. Truly "epic" tags for each state are likely going to take more than 5 years to draw unless your willing to spend a few thousand extra for an outfitters tag. Lastly tags in that 5-10 year bracket, hunting using horses will be more about getting to where there's fewer hunters (so animals are pressured less) more than trophy size or higher elk density.

Idaho doesn't have a point system and most of its epic country is OTC for archery with much of it under a, first come first served, limited quota.

[elkfins]

If Idaho is an option, be sure to call Dave at Bighorn outfitters.