Am going on an elk hunting trip next September. Rifle. I have done tons of research, but can't seem to narrow down my list based on what I read on different outfitters websites. I have called and they all pretty much tell me the same thing regarding cost, accommodations, what to expect, etc. Does the OB have any recommendations on places or how to narrow down the search? I'm thinking Rocky Mountain Elk Ranch in Idaho. Anyone have any good/bad experiences there?

Broadmouth Canyon in Eden, UT

What are your expectations, prior experience, and physical fitness level?

I don't know anything about Rocky Mountain but went to Broadmouth Canyon August 2016 and it is first class. Owned by Rulon Jones. You cannot go wrong.
http://www.utahelkhunt.com/idaho/

High fence or wild elk? Not a lot of Rifle September hunts, but I could be missing something.

Royal Rutt in price Utah was great. For what it's worth Rulon Jones does not have a good reputation amongst his peers in Utah.

Expectations - Horseback or ATV then hike all types of terrains for a long period of time

Prior Experience - First elk hunt

Physical fitness level - Could be better but have been training for this type of hunting for 3 months now preparing

Care to elaborate on the Rulon Jones reputation?

Johnny's Revelstoke BC

http://www.bighornbasinoutfitting.com

Pigtails said:

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Care to elaborate on the Rulon Jones reputation?

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I will dm you.

Pigtails said:

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Expectations - Horseback or ATV then hike all types of terrains for a long period of time

Prior Experience - First elk hunt

Physical fitness level - Could be better but have been training for this type of hunting for 3 months now preparing

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If you find a place that you're going to pay to ride ATVs to hunt elk off of, run away!!! Elk have ears and noses, neither of which can you out hike.

If you're paying good money, either pick a place that hunts a huge private ranch and a nice lodge where you can drive around in a truck that the elk see all year and then go after them on foot.....or pick a place that packs back in the mountains to a base camp and then takes horses around the area looking for elk. It's your choice, so pick your poison of preference. No recommendations for you on outfits, I've always done diy public land with success on foot.

I'm curious about your 3 months of training. What have you been doing to get ready?

An ATV to get you up on the mountain isn't the worst thing, but it needs to be miles from where you hunt.

And for your fitness levels. It's a different beast up in the mountains. I've never gone for the express reason to hunt, but even hiking and moving fast over rough terrain with weight on your back day after day. I "thought" I was in shape. And maybe I am, but not mountain shape. Not even close.

And the weather can/will change rapidly. I sort of roll my eyes at all the technical hunting gear for most hunting scenarios (Sitka gear for sitting in a blind). But on the mountain, you need it. Especially gear to keep you dry.

Good luck! Sounds like it will be a great time

Pigtails said:

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Expectations - Horseback or ATV then hike all types of terrains for a long period of time

Prior Experience - First elk hunt

Physical fitness level - Could be better but have been training for this type of hunting for 3 months now preparing

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I hope you get ahold of a hyperbaric chamber to train in as well. Elevation was the number one thing that killed me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it.

We were at 9800' +/- 2000' everyday though.

I would like to hear about Rulons reputation as well.

Google found all sorts of interesting stories.

slammerag said:

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Royal Rutt in price Utah was great. For what it's worth Rulon Jones does not have a good reputation amongst his peers in Utah.

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Username checks out

That's the problem these days, everyone buys into what they read on google. I can't speak for his Utah operation but his Idaho operation is excellent.

HillCountryAg10 said:

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That's the problem these days, everyone buys into what they read on google. I can't speak for his Utah operation but his Idaho operation is excellent.

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Agreed. That's where I got my first elk about 8 years ago. Nothing but praise for them from me.

Same here. Broadmouth was a top notch operation with great elk

Pen raised elk. No thanks...

Here's what you need to do.

Take your check book and head to the DSC show in Jan 2018. Go talk to every elk outfitter in the show. Give it 2 Days. Go back to the ones you like. Talk more. Find somebody your comfortable with spending hard earned money.

Be prepared for 2 things:

1) 2019 spots will be pretty booked up. The magical "yeah we just had some openings" call back you get in the summer...that's bc that outfitter just called his highest paying repeat customers and told em to skip the upcoming year. Either due to bad conditions, winter kill, etc. Just know that most of the great places book out a few years. Immediate openings are cause for question.

2) Guided trips don't guarantee success. Unless you're hunting a fenced operation. Still not 100%, but if you're ok with high fence elk, it's your best nearby guarantee.