This is typically a high success elk hunt on private land that has guaranteed licenses issued from the state, no drawings and you do not use any of your preference points. Elk numbers in this unit have increased the past several years, but the early November hunts can be somewhat weather dependent, so we prefer the mid to later dates in November and early December.

HCU has worked with this outfitter for over 12 years. He runs a small outfit on his family ranchlocated southeast of Craig that is known for high elk numbers. He has the exclusive rights to all 13,000 acres and consistently runs high success elk hunts on 5 point and small 6 point bulls. He also has one of the highest opportunity archery elk hunts in this part of the state.

The first rifle hunt of the season is a greatelk hunt for older hunters or father/son wanting a physically easy high opportunity bull elk hunt.

2018 all 4 hunters had tagged bulls by the end of the second day, including a 6 point and three 5 points.

This outfitter runs trophy elk hunts in the coveted Unit 7 located in southeastern Wyomingwhere it takes approximately 9 preference points with typically 100 percent success on bulls aver- aging close to 330 inches. He is picking up a 5,000 acre ranch in Unit 5 where you should be able to draw a general tag with 2 points. This ranch bor-ders Unit 7 to the west and we expect the huntingto be good on nice bulls in the 280 to 300 inch class, with the possibility for a really big bull.

The outfitter takes only a few elk and deerhunters on these private land pieces located in southwestern Colorado just east of Montrose.2018 was his first year and this is not a trophyhunt, but it did produce high success on 4 and 5 point bulls.

This hunt takes place on 130,000 private acres in southeast Colorado just north of Raton, NewMexico. He runs a small outfit that only takes about 5 rifle hunters on the first season and usually2 or 3 on one of the later hunts. His unprecedented success on big bulls typically gross scoring from270 to 320 points is directly due to only takinga few hunters each year. He has many more tags available, but by not over harvesting, his hunters consistently kill bigger bulls with extremely high success. This hunt is a super value for the quality, which explains why it is typically sold out for the upcoming year by the time you read about it in our brochure. Hunters need to put a $500 deposit down to hold and insure a future spot.

This 35,000 acre ranch is in the CWMU pro- gram guaranteeing them 30 bull tags and allowingthem to run 4 consecutive rifle rut hunts from Sep-tember 14 to October 7. They typically take up to8 hunters per hunt and success has run 100 percent the past several years.

This outfitter has to buy over a dozen bull elkvouchers from his ranchers to have the leases, but only takes a few hunters each year to insure high success on quality bulls, which makes the hunt more expensive.

2018 was a tough season due to such a dry winter, spring and summer. This area experienceda record setting worst drought in the past 70 years.Dry conditions can cause big bulls to lose 20 to 25 inches antler growth on a drought year. The past average bull taken on this ranch has scored anywhere from 330 to 350 inches gross score with near 100 percent success, but 2018 was really down with the average bull taken scoring 320 plus inches. Last fall 6 of the 14 bulls taken grossed 330 up to 352 inches, but no really giant bulls the ranch is known for were taken.

This is a high adventure horseback elk hunt in the Snowcrest Mountain Range in southwestern Montana that takes place mostly between 8500 to 9500 foot elevations. The area holds resident elk and is not dependent on the migration. This is not considered a trophy hunt and the average bull taken is a 5 point, although 300 inch bulls are sometimes tagged. This hunt is a real bargain for the young hunter wanting to experience hunting elk in the mountains or the experienced hunter that still wants to hunt horseback.

On the North Ranch they hosted 12 archers killing 6 bulls ranging in size from 280 to just over300 inches. First rifle ended with 8 hunters taking8 bulls and second hunt was the same at 8 for 8. The hunting was tough, but they ended up with the average bull grossing 280 inches and a couple good 300 plus bulls were also taken.

This outfitter hunts his family owned ranchbordering the Medicine Bow National Forest out- side of Laramie. Small personal operation and he only takes a very limited amount of hunters.

You will need at least 20 elk preference points to draw the third or fourth season elk tag, the spe-cial early rifle and archery seasons can require up to 24 points. We personally prefer the last two rifleelk seasons for the best bulls. By then the bigger bulls have left the cows to feed in the low country getting back into shape before winter, making them a little easier to find.

HCU works with 3 high success trophy ori-ented elk outfitters in Unit 7 near the LaramieRange in southeastern Wyoming. It normally takes at least 9 or 10 points to draw this unit. The highdollar special draw can increase your odds. JAN- UARY 31 DRAW DEADLINE and these huntsneed booked in advance. Preference points can be obtained from July 1 to October 31 by going to theweb https://wgfd.wyo.gov and follow the simple instructions. We highly recommend purchasing the elk preference point currently priced around$50 for future years. Here are the 3 outfitters.

They usually take 3 to 5 bowhunters each year and they normally kill 3 or 4 bulls in the 300 classor better. Rifle hunters typically take bulls from290 up to 340 inches.

The ranch offers 2 types of hunts and they are priced accordingly. All hunts are 5 days and success is similar as with quality, just the accom-modations vary. Prices are the same for either ar-chery or rifle hunts. Their less expensive hunt is their tent camp, 5 days 1×1 is $7,000 or the lodgehunt is $9,500 at 1×1 that includes a beautiful new unbelievable lodge.

Arizona is an outstanding hunting state, but the drawing odds are very low and you must buy a state license to apply. We suggest hunters to apply for the draw, but do not expect to pull any tags.

Arizona drawing odds can be hit or miss since they use the bonus point system, but normally you can draw in Unit 5 with about 7 to 9 points, where as in Units 1 and 27 the average is more like 12 to 14 for archery and 18 to 20 for rifle, although you can pull a tag with any number of points.

This premier outfitter has 4,000 continuousacres under high fence located in the beautiful mountains of southeastern Idaho. Hunts take place at 6,500 foot elevation in elk country with diverse habitat consisting of pine and aspen forests mak- ing for challenging and exciting stalks. A premium brand new private lodge provides a comfortable night’s stay after the days hunt. Enjoy home cooked meals during your entire hunt. Hunts are conducted using the side by side all terrain vehicles.

HCU works with several outfitters that offerarchery elk hunts. Here are a few in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Montana.

In 2018 over the course of 3 hunts his 13 archers killed 7 bulls, including a monster 340 bull, 3 grossing right around 300 and the rest were smaller. A few bulls were missed, but none hit and lost.

In 2018 his 6 archers killed 3 bulls, including a 300 inch 6 point and two 5 point bulls. A 280 type bull was hit and lost and another 6 point was missed.

2018 he had 6 bowhunters kill a 280 bull and a 5 point. Two 6 point bulls were hit and lost.

In 2018 he only ran 4 rifle hunters, no archers.

In 2018 his 7 archers hit and lost one bull. Onhis bordering ranch his 11 archers killed 4 and 3 were hit and lost.

We know of a few small parcels in northwest-ern Colorado near Craig that offers unguided rifleelk and some mule deer hunts. These parcels are typically about 1,000 acres and don’t normally come with any lodging. They usually only want a group of 3 or 4 hunting buddies on the property per hunt. It is mostly low open country easy to get around and someone shows you the property.Most are best for rifle elk and success normallyruns up to 50 percent. This area can be weatherdependant so we prefer the later hunts. Prices varyaccording to the property, but generally run in the $2,500 per hunter category.