I know there are a lot of hunters that have the ability to hunt elk on their own, but maybe don’t have the area’s to go to or want to spend the money for a fully guided hunt.  One of our Colorado outfitters is offering a very good deal on drop camp hunts in the Flat Tops or for those preferring a guided hunt, we have those available as well. 

My outfitter is offering discounts for anyone booking in November or December for the 2010 season. 

($1750 for groups of 3 or less, $1500 per person for 4 or more)

Discounts are for the drop camps but we can also offer specials on the Semi-Guided and Fully Guided hunts.  More details are below.  Call me with any questions or availability Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email

greg@outdoor-connection.com

Most of the outfitters in this region bring hunters into the draws that lead into Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness because it requires less time and effort.  But the most beautiful and abundant elk habitat is on the plateau.  PSRO concentrates on bringing their clients clear to the top when weather permits.  It takes 3 1/2 hours on horseback, but it’s worth it!  The harvest opportunities are great.  They go the extra mile on their camp facilities as well- great equipment and a professional staff.  Their guided hunts are fed by a real cook, not the guide- and the food is fresh.  They deliver more than simply a great harvesting opportunity, we deliver a great experience.

Guided Hunts

Guides: A guided hunt usually consists of a minimum of 4 clients to a maximum of 6 clients. There is 1 guide per 2 clients. A guide knows the area, the travel patterns of the game, and how to advise the hunter to produce the highest odds of harvesting game. This guide is available to assist his hunters according to their needs and abilities.

Accommodations: Most camp sites with 4 clients or more have 3 tents; a client tent, a staff tent and a cook tent. There is an outdoor toilet, pit type, with seat and privacy tarp. There is also a shower setup in an enclosure. Each tent has a wood stove and a supply of wood for heat. Client tents come complete with a cot, foam pad and wool blanket for each person. They provide a recommended personal gear list to clients. Each of their hunt tent sites is chosen for its privacy and its beauty. Two of the sites are near springs, and the third is next to a lake. Base camp is next to a creek.

Stock: Two camps are in areas that the forest service does not allow overnight stock, and two camps are in areas that do allow overnight stock. In the camps that do not allow overnight stock, wranglers pack harvested game back to camp as needed. Be sure to communicate whether your group prefers to hunt on foot or on horseback. We pride ourselves in having top shelf pack mules and riding horses.

Cook: They take pride in their food. Hunters work hard and deserve top quality fresh food prepared by a real cook. They spare no expense when it comes to food for their hunters.

Harvested animal care: Client must assist in retrieving harvested animals back to camp. Guides are available to assist in dressing and to cape animals for their clients. Wranglers or guides will assist in leading harvested animals on pack animals and getting them back to camp. There are local taxidermists and butchers in the area. The Flat Tops have only a 4 month window of semi snow-free weather and the nights are always cold, so you won’t have to worry about meat spoilage. They pack all meat capes and antlers out when your hunt is over.

Details:

-Firewood is provided.

-Riding horses may or may not be provided according to camp site location.

-Extra animals hunted constitute additional fees.

-Food is provided.

Standard Semi-Guided Hunts

Guides: 1 guide/wrangler is provided for 4 clients or more. This person knows the area and typically helps hunters decide where to hunt and will assist hunters in retrieving harvested animals back to camp. This person will care for the horses and may help cut firewood, clean camp, start fires, guide hunters, scout or other details according to the desire of the group. Normally he will not have time to cook unless the other above chores are minimal. (Note: Some camps USFS do not allow animals in camp overnight; in this case, a wrangler will check every other day for animals to retrieve to camp.)

Accommodations: Usually 1 cook tent and 1 sleeping tent.

Stock: After all clients and gear are packed in, 4 horses/mules are left for the wranglers’ use. These are not for use in hunting, but rather for retrieving harvested animals- one for the wrangler, one for the client and two for packing.

Cook: No cook is provided.

Harvested animal care: Client must assist in retrieving harvested animals back to camp. Guide will assist in caping for taxidermy if desired. The Flat Tops have only a 4 month window of semi snow-free weather, and the nights are always cold, so you won’t have to worry about meat spoilage. They take all the meat and horns and capes out when the hunt is over.

Details:

-Food is provided.

-Firewood (1 nights firewood is provided, the balance is the responsibility of the hunt group).

-Horses not provided for hunting. Harvested meat packing is provided.

-Extra animals hunted constitute additional fees.

-Camp chores are shared among the group and guide

Deluxe Drop Camp

-Guides not provided.

Accommodations: Usually 1 cook tent and on sleeping tent, complete with wood stoves in each tent.  A table and chairs are in the cook tent along with a complete kitchen.  A cot and pad with wool blanket are provided for each client.  Firewood for the first night is also provided.

Stock:  No stock in camp.  A wrangler will come by every other day at a designated time to pack game back to camp.

Cook:  No cook provided.

Harvested animal care:  Client must assist in retrieving harvested animals back to camp.  Wrangler will not assist in capping animals for taxidermy.  The Flat Tops have only 4 months of snow free weather and the nights are always cold.  So you won’t have to worry about meat spoilage.  They take all the meat, horns, and capes out when the hunt is over.

Suggested gear list

Sleeping bag and pillow case (they provide pillows)

Camera and film

Rifle and extra ammo (no more than 20)

Orange vest and hat (no orange camo) for rifle and muzzle

Aspirin and/or medicine (recommended daily for altitude)

Daypack

Rangefinder (all guides carry one)

Knife and steel

Matches and lighter

Sunglasses

Towel and washcloth

Toiletries

Gun cleaning kit (one per group combine caliber brushes)

Rain gear (September hunts and can be used in place of heavy jacket for layering)

Gore-Tex boots

Wool socks

Thermals or Polypropylene

Heavy coat during October and November

Small saw (horseback hunts)

License and tags

Good binoculars

2 good small flashlights and extra batteries (head lamp is nice for riding)

Space blanket

Gloves

Elk or deer calls (cow call or grunt)

GPS or compass

Tennis shoes for camp

Crew lightweight socks

Max. 2 changes of clothes (bulk and pack restrictions are applicable on wilderness horse hunts)

Whistle

Antelope Hunt

This year they’re offering these semi guided hunts at $1,000 per hunter for a 3 day hunt. Here’s  the details:

The hunt house is literally right in the best hunting area for antelope. You can hunt on foot right out of the house. The hunts are set for a hunter to check in noon one day and check out noon the 4rth day. Hunting may start as soon as you’re checked in, and hunt until check out time. This constitutes 3 days of hunting. Extra days are availible at $330 per day.

Semi guided or hosted would be another term means that a host/guide will direct hunters each day to the area to hunt. It will be big areas of thousands of acres for each hunter each day. They will set blinds up near water so that if it’s dry they can be used. The terrain is very hilly so spot and stalk works pretty well. Decoys are a fun option and so a hunter should consider bringing one. They have two available.

Food and lodging is provided. Tags, meat processing and taxidermy are not provided. Tags are approximately $320 per out of state hunter $35 in state. Tags are availible over the counter. (no draw necessary)

This hunt should be sold as a hunt for the guy/gal who loves a challenge. No animal I know has better eyes than an antelope. Harvesting one flingling sticks is an accomplishment that surely confirms a hunter is the real deal.

Hunt dates start August 13th and go through Sept 19th. There will be a hunt specifically for gals scheduled, so if that interests someone contact them for specific dates. The host is the current senior world champion target shooter, and Colorado open state champ.

ELK

• Hosted in the Flats Tops Wilderness in north central Colorado
• Drop camp and unguided hunts
• Biggest elk herd in the US
• Wilderness, no motor bikes, no chain saws
• Hunters should be in reasonable shape and under 260lbs
• Not a trophy elk area
• Stunning country, easy terrain
• Great camps
• Access by horseback and mules
• Draw for 1^st season rifle and muzzle seasons, over the counter for 2^nd and 3^rd rifle and archery

PLAINS TROPHY MULE DEER

• Great opportunity to harvest truly monster class bucks up to 200 inches
• 90% success rate in 2008 and 2007
• Average 179 gross score in 2007
• Won’t see 30” bucks – few and far between
• Hunt by spot and stalk, lots of glassing and spotting
• Hunters do not have to be in shape
• 32,000 acres of private ranchland
• Nice accommodations and food

PLAINS ANTELOPE (same ranch as mule deer)

• 300 to 400 antelope on the ranch typically at any one time
• Trophy bucks up to 15 inches and 75” score
• 100% success for rifle in 2008 and 2007, with no hunter hunting past the 2^nd day
• 60% success for archery in 2008