Alsatian,

Finally! Something one can sink a tooth into!

IMHO you are about to embark on possibly one of the most aggravating, luck dominated exercises out there, especially since it looks like you are starting from scratch. Lots of your local hunters who sleep in their own bed the night before the deer hunt may say they want to go elk hunting, but won't give it any more planning or preparation or finanical commitment than the "get up in the morning--go to the local deer patch--pop ***** a deer--drop him off at the processor--drink a beer--go back home" hunt.

An "away from home/remote elk hunt" spanning one or two weeks tends to "weed out" hunting partners at an alarming rate, with the damnedest excuses usually starting in August and leaving you high and dry for the hunt. Most are in love with the idea of going (during winter, spring, and early summer), but not with actually DOING IT part (late summer, fall).

I hate to say it, but I would recommend that you try to work your way into an existing successful group --- you will be way ahead of the game if you succeed....

(1) You can watch this forum (I've probably seen 3 or 4 requests for hunting partner in the last two years.

(2) Another approach, is since you are looking to go in 2005 is to check out the area during the 2004 hunting season and approach some of the "got it together" looking camps. At any one time there are "camp masters" (especially if they are relatively new in trying to put a "group" together, say 3-4 years) that are tired of doing "too much" of the work, fed up with absorbing "too much" of the expense and weary of being used too often by the ever present "moochers". Offering to do your share of the work AND volunteering to pay your share of expenses IN ADVANCE (and NON REFUNDABLE) will likely to endear you to someone! Granted, this is an approach used by some one with a "sales" mentality who isn't afraid of a little rejection along the way.

(3) A different route is to check your local rifle range, hunting club, NRA instructors, etc, etc, and ask about folks from your general area (100 miles or so) that hunt elk. Approach them straight up if they know someone who is putting together a group that is looking for some "go to" guys. Of course, at that point you have to make absolutely sure you are ready to "walk the walk" in addition to "talking the talk".

The state of Colorado calls new folks who just "go up and give it a shot" as being on the "five year plan". On average, it takes them five years to learn an area, learn from their mistakes, and start taking elk. As always, dumb luck and/or outstanding individual talent can always "tip the scale" a bit, but the success rate is very low. Better to get on the "fast track" -- even if you don't get one that year, if others around you do get into them you can pick up a wealth of "know how".

Just a few thoughts,
EKM

(***** = cleaned up "Bambi" to the new PC standard, "deer".)