I' m in a quandry. What would you do in my situation. We are a couple of do-it-yourselfers from Michigan. We have elk tags for a Western Colorado hunt in Oct. We have been in communication with a guide that will set us up for $2000 each. That includes campsite (w/camper), water, firewood, privey, guidance as to where to look for critters and help packing any animal out.

We can pull a rented camper ($800), have all of the necessary equipment, enjoy the aspect of doing-it-ourselves. Our biggest problem is handling an animal the size of an elk. We are un-experienced in an animal that large. The outfitter we have been communicating with will also help us with just that aspect of our hunt if we decide to do everything ourselves. He would charge us $300 per animal (for a total of $600 if we are both successful).

What would you do?

OK, I' m am pretty biased on this since I' m a do-it-yourselfer also. If your only real problem that you think you' ll face is handling an elk, I would do it by yourself, you won' t get one anyway. Just kidden Let me ask you this, do you butcher your own deer in Michigan? If you do, your not going to have a hard time dismantling an elk in the field. I, or alot of other guys here, can give you good instructions on doing this, and it' s really not hard. I hunt by myslef and have quartered or deboned my fair share of elk in the field. The hard part is packing it out, but to me, that' s a part of elk hunting. $300 seems a little high to pack out an elk, but if you don' t want to do it yourself, it' s worth it.

It' s also a matter of how much do you think the guide is going to be able to " point you in the right direction" for $2000. On a hunt where you say you would be put up in a camper, and your not talking about a drop camp or horse hunt, that seems pretty high to me also. For less than $2000 you can get on a private ranch here for a " point you in the right direction" hunt

First off I' d say ditch the camper. The hunting will be better without it and you can save some money. Tell the outfitter your serious about getting an elk and you' d like to set up camp away from the roads. Tell him to get you in the middle of elk country if possible, that way you can hunt in different directions everyday. He should have some nice wall tents and cots to keep you comfortable.

You can pack an elk out on your own but since you seem to have the money you might as well have him pack them out if you get a couple down. It' ll make things a lot easier. I hunt these animals every year so I do my own but if it was a one time deal and I could afford it, you bet I' d have some pack mine out.

For handling a animal that size make sure you have some good nylon rope to tie open his legs so you have room to work. They are too heavy to just hold. Have 2 4 inch blade knives and a sharpener of some sort. Take a good bone saw, don' t shorcut that one. To pack him out you' ll need to quarter it most likely so read up on some material and learn the best you can how to do that. Rent a video and find some books at the library.

Hope that helps.

Check the outfitters references. If he sounds like a good one and he has a good area that is the way to go if you can afford it. You will have a much better chance at being successful especially as it sounds like you may not have much elk hunting experience.
$2000 sound a little high, drop camps here in Idaho of that nature run in the 1400 to 1600 dollar range.
If he has a good area and is going to drop you back aways from the bulk of the pressure you are much better off with the drop camp.
Taking care of an elk after it is down is difficult but just think of it as a large deer, basically the task is the same. If you get one down on a steep slope by yourself it can be a real bear trying to move it around for cleaning and getting the cape and meat off but it can be done. I have done several by myself.
If you get animals down in a hole it will be worth the price of the drop camp just to have the horses to pack them out.
Have a great hunt either way.

Don' t let an elk intimidate you. They are just like a deer only take an extra trip or two to get out. I use a alaskan pack frame which I carry with me and attach my fanny pack to. this way I have it with me to make my time out worth while.
$2000 each is damn pricey, heck we have a package starting at $750 and can put you right in there if you have all your own equipment. Again don' t be intimidated.

IF YOU CHECK AROUND I BET YOU CAN FIND SOMEONE TO PACK IT OUT CHEAPER. ALSO DON' T FORGET ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH ALTITUDE. CHECK WITH YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR AND GET MEDS TO HELP PREVENT ALTITUDE SICKNESS. 2001 I WAS IN COLORADO AND MET A COUPLE HUNTERS FROM MS AND AR. ONE WAS REALLY SICK LUCKILY HE HAD ALREADY GOTTEN HIS ELK. IT WOULD BE A SHANE TO GO ALL THAT WAY AND GET SICK......IF YOU DO GET SICK GO TO A LOWER ALT. GOOD LUCK