IronRanger,

I don' t know how a couple posts could be any more " on target" , right down to the area, the service, the cost, and the details. I never got a response or acknowledgement back. I see him advertising the same blurb on other forums -- still in quest of the " holy grail" . In northern Colorado, Sombrero IS the horse rental connection UNLESS you have a local connection with someone and they trust you with their stock which is a big IF. Folks aren' t going to rent you their stock for $5 and a handshake.

I think the resources required for a " big operations" elk hunt surprises most people! Who started the rumor that doing " way back in" elk hunt correctly is going to be quick, cheap and easy? NO, thats " bambi popping" in the local deer patch, where you can sleep in your own bed, eat breakfast in your own kitchen, drive out, pop him, grab him by the antlers, drag him back to the truck and be home in time for lunch and the afternoon football game. Tain' t the same!

When folks go to " do it all" themselves they start to appreciate why outfitters charge what they charge -- and they aren' t getting rich doing it either! I haven' t seen any elk outfitters in " America' s Top 100 Wealtiest" list.

On a seperate note, in my area, I enjoy visiting the local outfitter and the REPEAT non-resident hunters the most. During the scouting period just before opening day we put on a " banquet night" in our camp and have a gourmet meal around a " loooong" table and catch up with each other over the last year. These are some serious folks who have allocated the time and money and equipment and resources and commitment to do it right (Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, Missouri, and Mississippi). They make the majority of the resident " weekend fling" hunters which are so common look like amateurs.

Never Go Undergunned (or Under-Horsed)
EKM