Colorado Drop Camp Wilderness Hunts in GMU 24 Flat Tops Wilderness

Big Game Hunting

We are proud to offer quality guided Big Game hunts and drop camps in the White River National Forest and Flat Tops Wilderness Area of northwest Colorado GMU 24. This letter is intended to provide potential and returning clients information about the upcoming hunting season. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions regarding our hunts or Colorado hunting license and regulation information. 

Only Two drop Camp Slots left for 2012!

Reduced from $1600 down to only $ 995!!!!

Hunts

Drop Camp hunts discounted to - $995 per person 

Price includes all camp equipment, food, pack-in, pack-out and all game packing. 

Wilderness Drop Camps

2012 Drop Camp Information

$ 995 per Hunter

$ 500 per Non- Hunter

Prices include all packing services, food and camp equipment

Price does not include license fee

Our drop camps are located anywhere from 2 to 5 miles deep into the White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Every campsite is located in great Elk habitat allowing hunters the opportunity to hunt directly from camp without the need for horses or miles of hiking. The camps can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 8 hunters each season. Camps will have 2 tents onsite. One tent will house the cooking facilities while the other will be for geared up for sleeping. 

Drop camp sites are located next to a water source. Most of these water sources are small springs and produce good water. It is the hunter responsibility to purify the water for safe consumption. 

Camps are set up their permitted area prior to your arrival and will include the following equipment;

Tents

Stove

Heaters

Lanterns

Cooking Pots and Pans

Paper Goods

Cots

First Aid Kit

GPS Emergency Unit

Water Carrying Container

Toilet Seat 

All heating, lighting and cooking equipment is fueled by propane for camp comfort and eliminates the need for a camp fire or wood burning stove. 

When you arrive at the Lodge, staff will help organize your gear for the pack in, discuss the basics of riding, fit you to a horse and saddle, discuss legal and ethical hunting regulations and explain proper Wilderness Area camp use. This procedure usually takes an hour or more too complete so it’s important to arrive a couple of hours prior to your “pack-in time”. It is also important to schedule a “pack-in time” at least 1 to 2 days before the season starts. There is no extra charge for time in camp before or after the hunting season. 

Since all camps are packed in via horse, weight consideration is a very important part of your pre-trip planning.

All hunters will only be allowed to take to camp;

1 bag (weight not to exceed 35 lbs.)

1 small day pack (to be carried with you, on your horse)

Sleeping bag 

Rifle

A good way to achieve these weight requirements is to pack with your entire hunting party and make sure that the camp is not doubling up on items that can be shared. 

Colorado wilderness weather is very extreme during the fall months. We often see the lows well below freezing at night and mid 50’s to 60’s during the day time. It is essential to be prepared for all temperatures and moisture conditions. Layering warm waterproof clothing is the best way to accomplish this. Dress with a thermal base layer, followed with a light weight t-shirt, then a warm hoodie or sweatshirt and covered with an insulated waterproof shell. 

Listed are items you should have for your Colorado drop camp Elk hunt;

License (GMU 24)

Colorado DOW Big Game Hunting brochure

Rifle (Sighted in at 2” high at 100 yards.)

Insulated waterproof hunting boots

Camp Shoes

Thermal Underwear

Hunting clothing

Socks (1 ½ per sets day)

Sleeping Bag (rated below zero)

500sq. in of Blaze Orange 

(Orange camouflage is not allowed)

Blaze Orange Hat

Stocking Hat

Waterproof Thermal Gloves

Waterproof Insulated Coat

Sweatshirts (layered clothing)

Toiletries (Toothbrush, soap, prescriptions)

In addition to the items listed above each hunter should carry a day pack that includes this suggested game cleaning gear and survival items.

1 box ammo

2 knifes

Sharpening stone

Bone saw (To cut sternum and pelvic bones)

Pen or pencil (license must be signed upon harvest and notes for outfitter at camp)

Binoculars

Lighter

Compass or GPS unit 

Topo map (available at Ripple Creek Lodge)

Fire starting material (paper, candle)

Emergency space blanket

Small first aid kit

Orange marking tape

Snacks

Water bottle

Please allow to be packed in at least one day prior to the beginning of the season and one day after the season concludes. 

You will be hunting the Flat Tops Wilderness Area in Colorado GMU 24 deep in the White River National Forest. The Flat Tops Wilderness Area (a federally designated Wilderness Area that prohibits any kind of motorized vehicles within its perimeter) and hunting areas are accessed only by horseback or on foot. Terrain is very rugged with a mix of small open parks, Aspen covered slopes and dense spruce and pine forest. Our permitted area is home to the largest Elk herd in the world! In addition to the tremendous Elk habitat, there are Mule Deer, Moose and Black Bear in the country as well.

What to expect:

Colorado wilderness weather is very extreme during the fall months. We often see the lows well below freezing at night and mid 50’s to 60’s during the day time. It is essential to be prepared for all temperatures and moisture conditions. Layering warm waterproof clothing is the best way to accomplish this. Dress with a thermal base layer, followed with a light weight t-shirt, then a warm hoodie or sweatshirt and covered with an insulated waterproof shell. 

Please allow to arrive at the Lodge at least one day prior to the beginning of the season so that staff can size you up to a horse and saddle and your body can acclimatize to the Rocky Mountain elevation. 

2011 Season Dates

Method of TakeDatesLicense

ArcheryAugust 28 - September 26Draw Only*

MuzzleloadingSeptember 11 - 19Draw Only*

1st Season Rifle (Elk Only)October 15 – 19Draw Only*

2nd Season Rifle (Combined)October 23 - 30Over-the -Counter

3rd Season Rifle (Combined )November 5 – 13Over-the -Counter

4th Season Rifle (Combined)November 16 - 20Draw Only*

*Draw Only licenses are available through the Division of Wildlife’s application process. Applications for theses hunts are due the first Tuesday in April.

Colorado Hunting and Fishing License Fees

LicenseResidentNon-Resident

Elk Cow$46.00$351.00

Elk Bull or Either Sex$46.00$541.00

Deer Buck or Doe$31.00$326.00

Bear$41.00$351.00

Youth Big Game$10.75$100.75

Small Game$21.00$56.00

Fishing (5-Day)N/A$21.00

*Habitat Stamp$10.00$10.00

*Required on the first license purchased for persons 18-64 each year

 Additionally, persons aged 19 - 64 are required to buy a Habitat Stamp for $10 the first Colorado hunting licenses purchased that year.

Hunter Safety Card required for hunters born after 1949. It is not required to be a Colorado Hunter Safety Card it can be from another state. There is also an on-line hunter Safety Class available.

The link to the Colorado Game & Fish web page is: http://wildlife.state.co.us/

303-297-1192 and mailing address is 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216

Additionally, persons aged 19 - 64 are required to buy a Habitat Stamp for $10 the first Colorado hunting licenses purchased that year.

Hunter Safety Card required for hunters born after 1949. It is not required to be a Colorado Hunter Safety Card it can be from another state. There is also an on-line hunter Safety Class available.

The link to the Colorado Game & Fish web page is: http://wildlife.state.co.us/

303-297-1192 and mailing address is 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216

Hunt ID:CO-ElkMDeer-All-Meeker-GM-Greg

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