I was stunned by reading this thread, as most of the complaints dovetailed my own. Since 1976, I have worked on finding a partner/partners with whom to enjoy big game hunting. I have gone with a couple different parties and we all got along fine, but these were never folk who were ready to go again next year. Here are some reasons why it is difficult to get an annual big game hunt together:
(1) They do not have the money.
(2) They have the money, but cannot get off work.
(3) The wife gets sick, just prior to leaving for the hunt!
(4) They had the money but had some other family emergency which took precedent over hunting.
I am going back to the ranch where I killed a bull in 2002, armed also with a mule deer license. The place is on the western slope of the Rockies. The cabin is at 8400ft and I ride a horse up to around 10,000ft to hunt the parks. I stayed out there one week in July and saw three nice bulls in velvet, black bear, coyote and a couple nice muley bucks.
The entire package, with cabin and horses is very reasonable for four hunters. If anyone would like to talk about an elk/mule deer hunt for 2005, let me know.
I am now 62. Been a lifelong deer hunter, here in Md. Just started western hunts in 1990. Bred and hunted Pointers from Australia to Mexico to Canada. Like varmint shooting and go to the range on a weekly basis to keep tuned up. Hold a dealers FFL and trade in firearms, along with my clock shop. Like self guided hunts, as described above, but no more tenting for me. Want a hot shower at the end of the day, and a real bed. Now shooting a 7mmWSM Winchester Ultimate Shadow, mounted with Burris 3-9x40 Signature scope on Leupold mounts and rings. No longer use alcohol or tobacco, but not opposed to those products in the cabin after the hunt. I do my own cooking in the cabin, as it takes too long to get down off the mountain to eat out.