Why You Should Consider a Traditional Elk Hunt

Every hunter needs to experience a backcountry, traditional elk hunt in the West at least once in their life. Hunting from horses, based out of wall tents in the backcountry is something you’ll never forget. We have a number of traditional hunts in some great areas. Check out this Idaho elk hunt in the Frank Church Wilderness area; we also have a number of backcountry elk hunts in Colorado; and New Mexico.  You might fly into a backcountry airstrip, or pack into camp from a trailhead with horses and mules. On some of our hunts, you’ll do both.

Pack-in with Horses and Mules

Pack-in hunts will start out on horseback with a ride into the backcountry. All of the stock will be well trained, and experienced backcountry animals. Once at camp, accommodations will most often be very comfortable, large wall tents (usually with a cook tent, hunter tent, guide tent, and tack tent), cots complete with foam pads, lanterns, wood stoves, tableware, first aid kit, applicable safety equipment and more. Camp sizes will range in size from one hunter to a maximum of four hunters on most hunts. Often these hunts are guided 2:1 unless you specify that you want to have your own guide.

Typical Itinerary on a Pack-in Style Traditional Elk Hunt

Untampered and untamed, this is nature at its core; be sure to prepare for the physical challenge of steep, rugged terrain on this hunt. Most mornings start off with breakfast while guides/wranglers catch and saddle horses for the morning ride. The rides in the morning will vary in length and difficulty depending on where the elk are holding. Most hunters prefer to spend the entire day trying to locate your dream bull, and you’ll eat lunch up on the mountain. Bulls on these hunts will most likely range from 260″ to 320″ with good potential of seeing bigger bulls.

• You might fly into a backcountry airstrip, or pack into camp from a trailhead with horses and mules. *On some of our hunts, you’ll do both.
• On most of these hunts, camps will be wall tents.
• You will typically have a camp cook with good, home-style food.
• Usually you’ll be hunting from horseback, and on foot.
• Unpressured bulls in remote, backcountry on public land is the game.

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New Mexico Elk Hunting Trips

Wyoming Elk Hunting Trips

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It was an amazing steelhead fishing trip! I brought my dad along with me and we slayed the fish. If you guys aren't applying for the OI Draws, you should. They're legit!

Tyler Kirk / OI Draw Winner

I couldn't believe we won!

We won this fully guided, all-inclusive New Zealand red stag hunt in the OI Draw! I highly recommend this hunt, and Outdoors International—fantastic company, amazing meals, and hunts that are second to none.

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Thank you to Outdoors International, all the PH's and their awesome staff. I made some new friends and will be back to Africa again 100%.

Brye Mangum / OI Draw Winner

My most memorable and rewarding experience.

This was my first guided hunt, and the outfitter was amazing. He was able to keep me motivated and encouraged to hold out for true trophies. I would rate him on an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10! I never thought Africa would be a reality for me. Thank you Outdoors International.

Dason Lasater / OI Draw Winner

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