Everything you need to know for big game hunting in the west
Photos & Report by Buck Pope
Contributing Editor
The fall hunting season will soon be on us and it looks to be a very good season in most states. There are almost always pockets of huntable acreage in some states that get hit hard by Winter and the game suffers in those areas.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of choice units have already had their drawing and permits issued as of this writing. However, there are still a number of open areas plus permits left over in numerous states. As an example, Wyoming always has tags left over for areas less popular in most cases, but still, they have game and you can hunt. Some states have trophy areas, that being areas that are known to produce trophy size game. If you want to do it right, a person should start planning their hunt out west well in advance. Certainly at least a year or more in order to apply in certain more select areas and also if you will be hiring a guide and outfitter.
What kind of game are we talking about in the west? Depending on the state, the following big game are possible to hunt, subject to the tag draw on certain animals: Antelope; Mule Deer; Whitetail Deer; Coues Deer; Elk; Moose; Wild Sheep; Mountain Goat; Bison, and Black Bear.
The most popular states in the west to hunt are: Arizona; New Mexico; Utah; Colorado; Idaho, and Montana. If you’re after antelope the largest population is in Wyoming followed by Montana. If you’re after elk, Colorado has the largest number of game followed by Wyoming. Colorado also leads in the mule deer population.
If you’re after Whitetail deer then states like Montana and Wyoming are best. Moose can be hunted in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. Mountain sheep can be found in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Montana and Idaho. Desert sheep can be hunted in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Coues deer can be hunted in Arizona and New Mexico. Black bear are found in all the states and perhaps some of the best hunting is in Idaho and Montana. Rocky Mountain goats are found in the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Bison are found in several states and may be hunted by drawing a permit.
Without a doubt the most popular animals to hunt out west are the elk, antelope and mule deer. I would also say the most popular states for non-resident hunters are Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. These three are top quality states that can offer a variety of game. However, in these states particularly, and some others, you must plan ahead, as mentioned earlier, at least a year. So you may want to start planning for the 2010 seasons even as you get ready for the 2009 seasons. The drawings for all the states occur earlier in the year with entry deadlines sometimes as early as January 31, as is the case for non-residents to apply for elk in Wyoming.
You should contact the states you’re interested in hunting and get the
necessary applications, regulations, etc. Many of the hard-core hunters will apply in several states for various types of game hoping at least one will come through. Depending on the area, the odds vary greatly.
As an example, here in my home state of Arizona, four of the top mule deer areas in the state have a success rate that is under 2% and that is for residents. Hunting is very popular and the odds can be super tough in the hot areas. However, all is not lost; most states have a preference point system where you can get a point for each year you failed to draw a tag.
In my lifetime of hunting for over 50 years I have drawn several to-die-for permits. The first was for Desert sheep in Nevada, followed by Mountain goat in Montana, Shiras moose in Wyoming and a trophy mule deer area in Arizona. This shows that if you keep putting in for a tag you can draw in many cases; it does take time and determination.
Another way you can draw permits and short cut all the waiting is to buy Land Owner Permits, available in certain states for certain big game animals. These can run anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 plus, depending on the area and game animal. This will give you the permit to hunt and most people I know will hire a guide or outfitter to assist them. This is not a bad idea if it is affordable for you.
When hiring a guide you should get a person that knows the area and knows where the game are, and if he/she is worth their salt, they will scout the area ahead of time and try and find the general areas where the big boys are hanging out. By doing this, the guide can save you days of trying to learn an area and wasting valuable time.
The other big plus is you will have a camp provided and horses, if need be, and you can spend every valuable hour hunting and not doing camp chores, etc.
Another big misconception is: if you do draw a coveted tag that you will be successful in harvesting a trophy animal. In the majority of cases large trophy size animals are smart; they didn’t get their size by being stupid.
Hiring an outfitter or guide must be done with care and doing some homework. Most states are full of guides and outfitters. I strongly suggest, unless you have a close friend that highly recommends an outfitter or you have hunted before with someone you’re happy with, do some research. Contact the states you want to hunt and get a listing of guides and outfitters licensed with them. Once you have narrowed your list down, you can contact the Guides & Outfitter Association and they will advise you if any complaints, etc. have been made against them. They will not rate them or advise, only tell you if hunters have filed complaints. If you do find some outfitter and you like him and they have a complaint filed on them, ask them what happened? I have known hunters who are never happy and complain about everything and even file a negative report on some outfitter. It goes without saying to check references. Ask for a list of all the hunters who hunted with the guide, not just the happy ones.
Generally, if a hunter kills a big trophy size animal, most other problems are quickly forgotten. Call all of the clients who hunted with him last year.
You also must get a contract that spells out the details of the hunt. It is considered normal to send a 50% deposit when booking with the balance due 30 days before the hunt. An outfitter has many expenses you are not even aware of and the issue of money owed should be done and settled before the hunt.
For years I hunted with a rancher and outfitter in northwest Colorado and he was just great to hunt with. A handshake sealed the deal and he was paid in full when the hunt was over. However, I did send him a small deposit as is my policy. I hunted there along with my friends for many a season, all the hunting on private lands; it was just great mule deer and elk hunting. What great memories! If you are fortunate enough to have something similar, hold on to it—they are hard to find anymore.
You don’t always kill a big trophy, but if you stay with it, the chances are your time will come. Big game hunting has greatly gone up in costs the last few years, not only with guides and outfitters, but also license costs. It is not unusual to have $3,000 or more tied up each season in trying to get permits for in-state and out-of-state hunting. You can still enjoy a do-it-yourself type hunt and many of us find ourselves doing that each season. It may take you a season or two to learn an area, but still you’re hunting and having a good time.
Another option I like is you can pay a small trespassing fee on many private ranches and do your hunting on their land. I have done this in Wyoming when antelope hunting; often it is as little as $100 to hunt. You can stay in town and drive out each day and hunt. It makes it much more affordable.
On the Cover: Author with his Arizona elk.
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