Colorado Elk Hunt GMU 71

You will on a guided hunt, a drop camp, or a pack in hunt with most of our total hunting on private land in GMU071 the game rich Southwestern Colorado on the upper west fork drainage of the Dolores River and approximately 35 miles northeast of Dolores, Colorado. 

Guided Elk/Deer Combo Hunt for only $ 2995

DIY Drop Camp only $ 1745

Pack Service Hunt only $ 450 per day

You are in one of the prime areas that provide good elk and deer hunting in a cost efficient Combo hunt at about $ 1500 below the average price. The bull license is over the counter for the 2nd and 3rd season, but it will require 2 points to draw. If you don’t have the points many times a landowner voucher is available for only $ 1500. The majestic San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado have one of the largest elk herds in the state. Game Unit 71, with 4-point antler restrictions in place for a number of years, is producing mature bulls in the trophy category. The 4 point restriction makes it a little more difficult to fill your tags but the bucks you will be working with are much larger and of trophy quality.

Accommodations

Our spacious 6 bedroom hunting lodge is located in the heart of our permitted hunting area at an elevation of 8400 feet, and in the shadow 14,000 feet Wilson Mountain. Each room accommodates 2 clients, giving you room and comfort during your stay. A large great room and spacious kitchen allows our cooks to provide without question, the best of fare to help make your time in our camp a memorable and rewarding experience. "Never underestimate the effect of a great meal, a hot shower, and a warm bed after a long day of stalking elk."  

Drop Camps

West Fork Outfitters' Drop Camps are available during all the big game seasons, with the exception of the last two rifle hunts. Heavy snows are a threat during these times. 

Our Drop Camps are especially suited to the hunter(s) who wants to be packed into the backcountry where he will "go it alone." All Drop Camps come complete with wall tents for sleeping/cooking, wood stoves, Coleman cooking stoves, lanterns, cots with pads, chainsaw and miscellaneous provisions. The client need only bring his own hunting gear and food. 

Camps are checked on every 2 or 3 days. Pack service of game is provided. There is a 7 day time limit on length of stay, that’s defined by the length of the game season. Drop camps are located at elevations of 8600 feet to 10,000 feet with a good source of water. Plentiful game herds are present in these locations, but a hunter's success depends on their own ability to hunt elk. 

Pack in Service Hunt

Simply put this is a drop camp with your tent and equipment. You are packed in, and left on your own until you want to come back out depending on the season length. Because of the late season weather no pack in or drop camps hunts are available after the second season.

Colorado 2012 Hunting Season Dates

Archery Deer/ElkAug. 25-Sept. 23 

Muzzleloading Deer/ElkSept. 8-16 

Rifle (Limited Draw, Elk only)Oct. 13-17 

Rifle (Combined Deer, Elk)Oct. 20-28 

Rifle (Combined Deer, Elk) Lodge Guided Hunts OnlyNov. 3-11 

Rifle ( Combined Limited Deer, Elk) Lodge Guided Hunts OnlyNov. 14-18 

Beginning 3rd season because of the weather at the drop and pack in altitude all hunts are guided and from the lodge.

Colorado Deer & Elk License Fees

Non Resident Deer$329

Non Resident Bull Elk$544

Bull Elk licenses can be purchased over the counter prior to the season opening, with the exception of limited licenses, e.g. Black Powder, Cow Elk tags etc. ALL DEER TAGS ARE BY DRAWING ONLY. 

Guided Hunts

Archery/Muzzleloading 

Based on 5 days hunting, 1-2 hunters per guide (Limit of 8 clients) *see note below.$2995.00 

Rifle, Elk only 

October 13-17 (5 days) • Rates based on 2 hunters/guide$2995.00 

Rifle, Deer/Elk Combo 

October 20-28 (5 days) • Rates based on 2 hunters/guide$2995.00 

Rifle, Deer/Elk Combo 

November 3-9 (5 days) • Rates based on 2 hunters/guide$2995.00 

Rifle, Deer/Elk Combo 

November 14-18 (5 days) • Rates based on 2 hunters/guide$2995.00 

*All rifle hunts are priced for 1 hunter; 1 on 1 hunts available on request and availability. 

Drop Camps

 Because of the late season weather no drop camp hunts are available after the second season.

Archery/Muzzleloading/Rifle 

Fully equipped back country camps (no food); BASED ON A 7 DAY LIMIT.2 hunters • $1745.00 each

3 hunters • $1745.00 each

4+ hunters • $1645.00 each

Pack Service

Lodging/Meals/Pack Service Only 

Rates based on a 5 day stay(SELF GUIDED) Availability$450.00 per day

Archery and Black Powder Hunting

September is the most spectacular time in Colorado with the turning of the Aspen and the majestic sounds of the bugling wapitis. Our archery and blackpowder hunts are 7 days in length and occur during the peak of the rut. 

Our guides are most familiar with all the limitations and challenges inherent in both black powder and archery hunting, and can be extra helpful for both the intermediate and experienced hunter. 

Our strategy for elk hunting this time of the year is quite simple; stalk, bugle, cow call, ambush, or whatever works. Our guides are very competent at these strategies and the level of opportunity afforded our hunters and our success rate points this out. 

Bull elk can be quite responsive one day and ghost-like the next; they seem to respond more strongly in the early morning and in the late evening, hours which make for long days in the woods. It is important to be in the hunt when your opportunity for success is the greatest. 

These hunts, like our rifle hunts, occur at elevations of 8,500 feet to 11,500 feet with the flexibility of accessing any part of the 100,000+ acres in our permit. Horses are often used to access an area. Like all elk hunting, covering ground is important. The terrain can be steep and challenging, but the rewards cannot be surpassed. 

Lodging/Meals/Pack Service Only 

DIY Hunt Rates based on a 5 day stay (SELF GUIDED) Availability$445.00 per day

Deposits and Cancellations

Bookings are secured when a deposit of 50% of the hunt price (US funds) is received. Cancellations made 90 days prior to hunt date may be transferred to a future hunt. No refunds for cancellations made less than 90 days in advance of trip. 

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Choosing the right outfitter is an integral part of having a successful and memorable experience.

Some may base the experience on how big a bull they took while others might feel the whole experience was shaped by the new friendships made, the horseback ride in the dark on a mountainside, the grueling stalk on a steep hillside trying to get a shot at a bull, how good a peanut butter and jelly sandwich can really be, or how going to bed right after dinner following a West Fork hunt comes so natural.  

The success of any outfitter is dependent on the guides and staff he employs.

Our guides are all longtime residents of the area and know the woods and the habits of their game like the back of their hands. They promise the client a rewarding hunt and then bring them back each night to the lodge tired but safe. We have been blessed over the years with cooks and guides who are committed to doing everything in their power to making our clients' stay a rewarding and memorable experience. This is reflected in the number of clients who return from year to year. 

Travel

Flight connections can be made between Denver and Cortez where you will be met. Driving time from Denver is about 9 hours, and 6 hours from Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Hunt ID: CO-ElkMDeer-All- Cortez-WFO-Michael

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