Rancher offers archery elk hunt for $1,500

Each year this southern Idaho rancher takes as many as two self-guided bow hunters for elk on his own land near Preston. Last year he had two hunters booked, but they cancelled, and he was not able to fill their spots. He has decided to offer this hunt for only $1,500 a person this year, or you can pay $2,000 and hunt both deer and elk. He saw three really big mule deer bucks after the rifle season last year. You can choose to hunt either the first or last half of the archery season, which typically runs from about Sept. 1-30. Most hunters get close-range shooting opportunities on this hunt. He now gets a landowner rifle tag, but it already has been reserved for 2010. If you want it for 2011, expect to pay $2,500. The hunt takes place in a zone where rifle hunters must apply in a drawing for tags, but bowhunters can buy a tag over the counter. Because of light hunting pressure i this unit, there are some big bulls. Hunt EKB4309