[splashindash]

I'm interested in booking an elk hunt with Bull Basin Outfitters located in Colorado at their Sunnyside ranch for the end of September 2017. Does anyone have experience with this outfitter? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[TrashPanda]

I did a semi-guided hunt at their Williams Fork Ranch in 1997. As a group we did ok.
But I went back that January for a cow elk hunt on the Sunnyside ranch. I was pretty impressed with the numbers of elk I saw and I saw some muleys that I would consider to be whoppers.
It is not real rugged country like some that you experience out west, actually pretty easy. Seemed like Dean had a good operation back then. I know he won "Outfitter of the Year" in CO a few years ago.

 

[loridr]

Kudu,

What's the approx. elevation at the Sunnyside ranch?

 

[TrashPanda]

Off the top of my head I'm wanting to say 8000-9000 feet.

 

[splashindash]

Kudu thanks for the reply. Was there any particular reason why you never went back? I've been on two public land elk hunts in Montana and Wyoming and had a good time but just want to try something else and see some different country. However my biggest concern with a private ranch hunt is there will be a lack of physical and mental challenge.

 

[loridr]

Off the top of my head I'm wanting to say 8000-9000 feet.

Thanks. The fact that you said it was fairly easy terrain had me hoping it might be an option for me, but that's way too high for my condition (emphysema).

 

[TrashPanda]

Kudu thanks for the reply. Was there any particular reason why you never went back? I've been on two public land elk hunts in Montana and Wyoming and had a good time but just want to try something else and see some different country. However my biggest concern with a private ranch hunt is there will be a lack of physical and mental challenge.

At the time, his fully guided hunts were just more than I wanted to pay for elk/mule deer. Plus I'd gotten some elk already. It was also right at the time when I started going to Newfoundland and Africa a good bit. Keep in mind my trip was almost 20 years ago. I can't say what has changed, but he must be doing things right to win outfitter of the year.
There are ranch roads that access most of the property. Don't get me wrong, you can work hard there depending on your level of conditioning, but it will not be as challenging or as remote as say a pack/in wilderness hunt.

Good luck with your search.

 

[TrashPanda]

Loridr, I tried to PM you some info on an elk hunt that you should probably take a look at but you're over limit.

 

[loridr]

Loridr, I tried to PM you some info on an elk hunt that you should probably take a look at but you're over limit.

Kudu,

Inbox now cleaned up. Very interested in the info, thanks!

 

[TrashPanda]

PM incoming

 

[splashindash]

Hunt is booked. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[TrashPanda]

Good luck. I look forward to that report. What year and which hunt did you book? Did you book the combo hunt? I'll bet by the end of that trip you'll wish you had the deer tag.

 

[splashindash]

Thanks. I will be going September 23-27 2017. I'm still trying to decide if I want to use bow or rifle. This will be my first time hunting Colorado. I was very close to booking the combo hunt, there are some really nice pictures on their website of past successful hunters and they took some really nice ones but i wanted to make elk my priority. At the same time I would hate to have to pass up a monster muley because I dont have a tag. Now the fun part begins, the preparation.

 

[TrashPanda]

If you went with a bow, it may give you some more of that "challenge" that you mentioned. And you would have an excellent chance to take a Pope and Young bull, if that matters to you.
Pretty sure, under the Ranching for Wildlife" rules, that you take both and break out the rifle the last day or so if you needed to.