MEOMAKO,

I was in Colorado this year mule deer hunting and met a guide outfit at the hotel I was staying in. Their name is Top Gun Outfitters, Larry Smith, Lic. # 1563. His email address is: www.guidemyhunt.com/topgun, phone #:Home 814-473-8151, Office: 814-473-3802.

Larry and his outfit had been on a hunt the 1st week of elk season and had come to the hotel to rest and clean up , before going on another hunt the second week. I was able to talk to him and his guides. I believe he told me he was from Penn. state and had been guiding in Co. for several years.

Another Guide I met was with an outfit called the: Craig Wildbunch, they have a web site also but don't have it written down. I do know that this outfit has private land you can hunt as well as guided hunts. I saw signs on side of the road leading up to Routt Nat'l Forest that said the land belonged to the Craig Wildbunch.

Anyway, I' m in the same boat as you. I want to go back in 2004 elk hunting and trying to decide wether to go on a self hunt or guided. I know my chances of success would be better with a guide but there's just something about doing it yourself. To me it's not the shooting but the doing, if you understand what I mean. Also my son and son-in-law want to go with me this time and that will determine the cost we can handle. Besides, I opened my mouth before my brain was in gear and told them that I would pay for their license if they would go. Don't get me wrong, I'm retired and have a fixed income, just trying to do something with my boys.

Wish you luck and may see you in woods of Co. in 2004.

dog1