First time elk hunt
 

I am planning my first elk hunt for 2005. I am looking for any information on hidden costs, positive & negatives of guided hunts and outfitters.

RE: First time elk hunt
 

If you're going on a guided hunt take an extra hunk of change for a tip. If your guide gets you into a lot of elk and you score a good one you'll want to tip accordingly. Up to you how much but usually $200 or so. Check out the outfitter real well, a good one will take real good care of you. He'll pick you up in town and feed you well. A bad one will leave you with a real forgetable experience.

Other costs? Does he provide all meals? Any hotel costs or is every night on the mountain? What equipment does he provide?(knives, saws, game bags, etc.) Info you need to know.

RE: First time elk hunt
 

How to get the meat & horns home is usually a problem. Unless you drive the big coolers & dry ice. If you fly, I don't know.

RE: First time elk hunt
 

Make sure you ask for references from successful and unsuccesful
previous clients. Dont get wowed by pictures in their brochure.
Check if they are hunting public or private land and if they
use horses or 4x4s.

RE: First time elk hunt
 

Tip based on opportunities, not what you go home with. A guide cain't pull the trigger for you or stop you from pulling it. He makes his livin' in a hard economy from a short period in the fall. $200 is a very LOW amount to tip. If you see lots of elk and he cares for your horses and meat, and gets you around safely, I'd say $400 is a decent tip for a week's hunt. If you fill out the first day, don't short the guide. He didn't pull the trigger, and he's out a week's work in some cases. If you kill a 375 or better bull, that's a trophy of a lifetime. Tip accordingly. $200 is a tip for a two day cow hunter that doesn't plan on hunting with the outfit again.

BJ

RE: First time elk hunt
 

Tip according to the service given by the guide and not whether an animal was harvested or not. Don't blame the guide either if the outfitter is a thief and has a crap unit or hunting area. 15% of the price of the hunt is about right in most cases plus I usually buy them dinner when we get back in town. Also plan on tipping the cook and the amount is up to your discretion but without him feeding you good food your hunt is doomed. Taxidermy fees and excess baggage will definitely bite you ...Plan on 100-150 bucks for 3-4 boxes of elk meat that's what United usually nails me with. Bring a good guncase and a duffle bag and everything else put into carryon and you will minimize the excess baggage fee. Meat processing fees vary from place to place but expect at least 150-200 as an average to process a bull not including dry ice and carboard boxes. Hotel costs are another factor before and after the hunt especially if you leave early as are airport meals. Hope that helps...

RE: First time elk hunt
 

[quote]
How to get the meat & horns home is usually a problem. Unless you drive the big coolers & dry ice. If you fly, I don't know.


Thank you.

RE: First time elk hunt
 

well Stormm4 good luck on your first Elk hunt, hope you get a biggin

RE: First time elk hunt
 

As far as getting antlers home if you fly, the outfitter usually has a taxidermist that he uses, the taxidermist will ship the antlers to your location. Airlines do not allow antlers to be shipped as luggage anymore. You might be able to do it is the antlers are boxed so they can not be seen. You really do not want to take your antlers as luggage if they are not boxed anyways because some of the baggage handlers are anti hunters and they will misplace you antlers or send them off to some other place, so if the outfitter does not have a taxidermist that he uses find one yourself.

I am a booking agent and work as a guide during the hunting season for an outfitter in NE BC. THis is a first class outfit with lots of elk. We do not have book elk in the area but you should be able to get a 300 to 340 class bull during the rut rifle hunt. If you want some info email me at [email protected]