First, thanks for the info.

I guess what I meant about the terrain is that we were both in good shape, and Caity has suprisingly good endurance for a girl her age. I wouldn't dream of carrying her too high up into the mountains, but we could handle a more moderate climb if needed. While it's no Rocky Mtn. peak, the local WMA that I turkey hunt on is absolutely full of relatively steep hills and hollows. I have hunted full weeks up there walking 3-5 miles per day up and down those hills. While there is no way it can compare to the altitude and terrain, it is a good "training grounds", if you will.

I guess my biggest fear is spending the money for an outfitter and getting burned. As I said above, I have been burned before, and that was for a cheap duck hunting trip. The guy had his 10 yr old son with him, (not that I am against that, it was just unproffesional) and somewhere during the hunt the little guy let his gun go off and shot up a couple of decoys. The guide apparently loved to hear himself blow a duck call as well and made more ducks flare than come in. I would be uncomfortable going after game that I am unfamiliar with, in a land that I am unfamiliar with. I am all for a DIY trip provided that I have some guidance on when, where, how, etc.

What Ihad initiallyenvisioned is lodging at a base camp, taking the pack horses up to a spike camp, and hunting out from there (your typical type trip). I guess what I should have asked (thanks for the antelope tip!) is what would be an idea, and inexpensive trip for a first timer.

Also, the when was more of a weather, game activity, kind of thing.Iknow that elk tend to move up or down depending on the time of year (I don't know which is which) and that the later you go the weather worsens. I want the highest opportunity possible for my daughter, even if it's just a small spike or 3x3. This would be far from a trophy hunt.

With several states, species, terrains, climates, guides, etc., etc. to choose from it can be confusing.