By Kathy Butt

The cost of hunting elk has dramatically increased over the last decade and is unfortunately becoming labeled a "rich man's hunt." It's sad, but true. I've been hunting elk since 1986 and have seen the price of elk licenses more than double in cost. Will the rising cost keep me from making that yearly trip? No. I may have to scrimp and save to continue making those annual trips, but I'll work it out. I just can't seem to get enough of those heart-pounding, up-close-and-personal encounters with rut-crazed bull elk.

Without a doubt, non-resident hunters are feeling the effects of rising costs of hunting elk in the western states and many are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the price. Is the skyrocketing price worth it? Well, there's no doubt that non-resident hunters are at a definite disadvantage. We have to pay excessive license and permit fees to hunt elk, and those prices will continue to rise. It's a fact of life. Regardless of whether we choose to hunt on private land, public land, book a guided hunt, or hunt on our own without a guide, it's to our best advantage to know our options. every hunter should stay abreast of each state's hunting opportunities and be well prepared before making the trip.

Hunting with a guide is certainly going to increase the cost of your hunt, but there's no doubt there's a definite advantage to using the services of top-quality licensed guide or outfitter. It increases your success rate tremendously, especially for bowhunters. If you're going to pay the price, doesn't it make sense to do your homework? Most hunts are booked with licensed professional outfitters/guides well in advance, often as much as one to three years. But before booking that trip, ask the outfitter for references of both successful and unsuccessful hunters and call both. You can also check with the state wildlife agency to check the harvest statistics in the outfitter's particular area or zone. that status changes from year to year, so check yearly.

Public Land Draws Non-resident hunters who feel they simply cannot afford the extra cost of hunting with a licensed outfitter or guide, may apply for any of the excellent public land opportunities in several western states. What can you expect to pay for a roll-your-own hunt on public land? You can expect to shell out anywhere between $1,000 to $2,500 to cover licenses, food, transportation and supplies.

Another option is to book a drop-camp hunt through a reputable outfitter/guide on public land, a hunt that may vary in cost, ranging from $2,500 to $3,500. Did you notice I mentioned booking with a reputable outfitter? That's important. Check to make sure they are a registered outfitter/guide. Every state has an outfitter's association that supplies information on guides and outfitters, so this is an excellent way to ensure you're booking your hunt with a qualified and experienced outfitter.

Each state's game and fish department also has a web site filled with a great deal of valuable information for anyone willing to take the time to surf for statistics. Many of these sites have downloadable maps of management areas, updated harvest statistics, a complete run down on draw opportunities, application deadlines, drawing results, current rules and regulations and you can also draw hunt applications, or purchase licenses on line. This can be time consuming and may often be frustrating trying to sort it all out. For this reason, many public land hunters choose to go through a licensing agent. For a fee, licensing agents will do all the paperwork and research, and apply you for draws in the best areas. Yes, this all costs money, but many hunters find they simply don't have the time or the desire to do the research.

United States Outfitters (505/758-9774, www.huntuso.com) is a New Mexico based licensing agency that handles the application process for a good number of clients across the country each year. George Taulman and his USO staff devote a great deal of time each year to staying abreast of the best elk hunting opportunities for both private and public lands in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Wyoming. Taulman understands the frustrations of hunters, as the cost of elk tags and licenses continue to escalate.

The price of elk hunts in western states are going up each year and unfortunately will continue to do so," Taulman said. "To ensure you get the best elk hunt for your hard-earned dollars, we recommend hunters apply each year for draws in several states. The odds of getting drawn for more than one are slim, so you needn't worry about drawing multiple tags." Taulman also encourages hunters to stay in touch with game department contacts to learn which areas have been most productive and offer the best hunting opportunities.

Keeping up with application deadlines increases in license fees and new regulation changes can be difficult to keep up with. Well, there is an alternative. You can contract the services of a licensing agency to take care of this mumbo jumbo for you. Yes, there is a charge for their services, but it is an option you may want to consider.

Jack Atcheson, Jr. of the Montana based Jack Atcheson & Sons (406/782-2382, www.atcheson.com) has successfully hunted public lands for elk for many years. Atcheson is a professional hunting consultant and primarily books hunters with professional outfitters. But from past personal experience he offers the following suggestions to public land hunters. "The first thing elk hunters must understand about elk hunting in the west right now," Atcheson said "is that elk are managed as meat animals. Most hunters have it in their minds that they want to go on a trophy elk hunt-this is true for both guided and unguided hunters. In reality, most states are managing for a large population of elk, which means most public lands predominately hold a population of bulls in the 2-to3year-old age category, bulls which will be small 4x4 or 5x5 bulls. some states have an ample supply o of these on public lands. These public land hunts are going to be your cheaper hunts. But if hunters want bigger bulls, inevitably there's going to have to be some sort of artificial barrier that's going to allow that population of bulls to reach a more mature age. That' either going to be draw hunt or via hunting on private land. The drawing situation is really a tough one. with the drawing services and the number of outfitters that are vying for them now. The odds of drawing a tag have really declined. On public land, it's gotten particularly harder to take big bulls."

Yes, most public lands are managed more for quantity than quality, but there are units or zones managed for quality. These units are often labeled as "quality" or "high demand" areas. Drawing a tag for these areas is tough, and in some states the price of these tags may be almost double the cost. Because they are managed more for quality than quantity, you will not see as many elk, but the chance of spotting a trophy bull is much greater.

Private Land Hunts
If you've never booked a private land elk hunt, the rule of thumb is that you'll need to book your hunt with a licensed professional outfitter well in advance, often several years ahead of when you want to go hunting. Private land hunts are more expensive, as outfitters must purchase private land tags and access. Many private land hunts are guaranteed tags (no draw required). although not all are designed that way. The cost of these hunts vary from $3,000 up to $20,000, depending of course whether you book an unguided or guided hunt, as well as the particular area you'll be hunting. Areas known for holding trophy class bulls are definitely going to cost more.
You will be required to pay a sizeable deposit to hold your reservation, and the remaining balance will usually be due 30 to 60 days prior to your hunt. I strongly recommend you ask the outfitter for references of both successful and unsuccessful hunters. Call both. There are always factors that may greatly influence the outcome of your hunt such as weather conditions, as well as your physical condition. Make sure to inform your outfitter of your physical limitations, if you have any.

Before booking, be sure to let the outfitter know the size bull you are looking for. My husband and I have operated a private land elk hunting operation in northern New Mexico since 1986. we often get calls from hunters looking for a place to hunt, ones who are particularly interested in tagging a trophy class bull. Although our unit has a 70% harvest rate, is a great place for any hunter to see lots of elk and a wonderful opportunity to take a bull, the odds of a hunter taking a bull scoring 330 Pope & Young or Boone & Crockett points are not good. We're quick to tell them so. Any reputable outfitter will be honest about what their operation has to offer and will let you know if they think you need to look elsewhere.

The rising cost of nonresident elk hunting may discourage or prevent a few hunters from heading west on a yearly basis, although I seriously doubt it will hinder very many. Yes, we'll be digging a little deeper (perhaps a whole lot deeper) into our pockets, but one way or another, I'm sure we'll find a way to get there.