One of of our long-time outfitters has done well on both bow and rifle hunts for bull elk during the past few years. License applications are due March 15, and if you want to be guaranteed a tag you can buy a permit through the outfitter. His rifle hunts take place on national forest land above a ranch he used to lease. Most of the bulls taken by customers there have been 5x5s and 6x6s. His bow hunts take place in a special trophy area where rifle permits are extremely limited. The last rifle hunter he had there killed a 375 B&C bull.

The terrain varies from rolling hill grasslands and creek bottoms to heavily timbered mountains and semi-open parks. Hunting is done with the aid of 4x4 vehicles, ATVs and snow machines. Meals and accommodations are included in the price. Typically 80 percent of more of the bowhunters get shooting with half of them scoring. Havested bulls typically range from 250 to 300 Pope and Young, but there are some outstanding bulls in this unit. The rifle hunt typically produces a hunter success rate of 40 to 60 percent. Rifle season starts in late October and continues through November. Bow season is almost the whole month of September. Mule deer also are available at an extra fee.