Eastern Plains hunt offers excellent trophy quality

Sportsmen in the know realize that the Eastern Plains of Colorado consistently produces some fine trophy whitetail bucks. That's because tags are extremely limited. Even landowners must draw tags to hunt their own land. Consequently, the bucks get a chance to grow old and big. This outfitter owns and leases land near Lamar, including riverbottom property along the famed Arkansas River, where bucks in the 150s and 160s are relatively common and where bucks in the 170s, 180s and 190s and even some in the 200s live out their lives. The outfitter is known more for producing big muleys, but this year the state has issued a few tags that are valid for whitetail only, so he's anxious to start building a reputation as a producer of trophy whitetails, too. Last year he had a whitetail hunter, but his tag was valid for either species, and that hunter shot a muley in the high 180s on the first morning and didn't even get to the whitetail habitat along the river. This hunt will be priced at $5,000 to $6,000 once the outfitter produces a couple of big bucks, but he is offering an introductory price this year of $4,000, including guide, meals and ranch house lodging, as he builds his reputation. This is for a 2x1 hunt that is five days long. He has one transferable landowner voucher right now and can acquire a couple of more vouchers from his brother, who ranches in the area, or another neighbor. The season is Dec. 1-14. Ask about Hunt WD3841.