Questions on a guide in CO

[BDB]

I am looking at booking a fall '04 hunt in Colorado for elk and mulies with a friend. I talked with a guide at the ISE show from CO. His company is Hyatt Guides and his CO registration # is 34. Says he has been in business 30 years and seemed like a great guy, talked with him quite a while. His hunts are on the Uncompahgre NF and BLM land. He quotes about 50% success rate in the second rifle season. The two zones he guides in are zone 61 and 62. With zone 62 the elk is over the counter and deer is a draw but if I put in for a point this year I will get a tag for sure next year. According to him, zone 62 is a 70% chance in the first year. He also states all of his camps are behind locked gates.

Anyone know of this guy (good or bad)? The guide to hunter ratio is 1-4. This is fine with me, I don't really want a 1-1 guide and am willing to do plenty of let work, just need to be put in the right areas by people who know. His prices are excellent. I asked him about the prices and he states that he has been in business for 30 years and is not looking to get rich quick. For reference the first week bow for elk and deer is $1500. This is for meals, cabin with hot shower, bedding and guide service. He has no web site either. I don't know how much is true and how much in BS, but he seemed pretty on the level when I talked to him.

Any feedback on the guide service or location would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the novel.

Thanks,

BDB

 

[COHunter]

GMU 62 is hunted very hard. There is a good Elk population there, but I wouldnt expect to get anything larger than a 4 point Bull. GMU 61 requires a few points to hunt and is better.

 

[BDB]

Thanks for the info. I'm not looking for a record book entry or anything, so that is OK as long as the game numbers are good. Hopefully the area's he guides in are a little out of the way with less traffic from non guided folks.

BDB

 

[Speckmisser]

BDB,

I talked to that guy too. I was a little curious because his prices for a guided hunt are a little lower than most. I have heard the same things COHunter just told you, though... unit 62 gets hit pretty hard. He said it takes a lot of points to get good odds at GMU 61, but it's worth it.

Anyway, I was definitely interested in possibly doing an archery hunt with him in 2004. He also recommended to go ahead and put in for a mule deer point this year in order to get pretty good odds for next year's draw. He said that, because of the draw, they're seeing much better mule deer bucks in that area now. Does that hold water, COHunter?

Seemed like there weren't as many guides from CO this year at the show. Lots of Africa hunts, though.

 

[COHunter]

I'm not trying to knock your Outfitter or the GMU's your looking to hunt, but have you considered hunting anyother part of the State ?
I Grouse hunt in the NorthWest part of the State and I see tons of Elk. Its your money of course, but if I were you I would get a Cow Tag ($250) for GMU 4(over-the-counter this year),and a Buck Tag (guaranteed) as well. Learn the area as well as you can (Black Mtn..hint hint) and for the same price as your Outfitter hunt, you could hunt for 4 or 5 years. GMU 15 (Gore Pass...hint hint) is another area to consider and both an east draw

Just a suggestion

 

[BDB]

Yeah, I have been considering that as well. I know what it has been like for me hunting public land in CA though and how long it takes to check out various areas and scout. I would have to rely quite a bit on the kind folks who would share some info if I decided to have a go at it without a guide. For $1500 for the archery elk/deer at least i get a warm bed, all my food, a shower and someone to point me in the right direction.

Thanks for the thought though, I have been kicking it around for a while too. I figured if I asked, some of the JHP'ers would probably point to public land that has decent animal numbers and then I could have a go at it on my own. Either way at this point I am definitely going to go. It also depends a little on my other hunting partner who is in MI.

BDB

 

[COHunter]

Well....just be nice to the Grouse hunters(You probably wont see any).

Last year I had this jackass from Minnisota come unglued on me. He claimed that my pooch and 12 gauge going off was ruining his Elk hunt

 

[Speckmisser]

CO,

I haven't locked in specifically on Hyatt, but I did like his price for the archery elk/deer hunt. I've looked and talked to a few other guides as well. It just seems like it's getting close to time to stop talking start doing, since I want to go ahead and put in for a point this year.

You made some good points, and if I thought I'd be able to do regular, or even semi-regular trips to CO, I'd probably go the route you mentioned. But since this'll probably be a once every five years kind of deal (if that), it's worth the money to pay someone who knows the region, knows the animals, and has the right equipment to do a good hunt.

I can go "do it myself" for elk in Oregon, and probably will, but for me Colorado has always been one of those dream hunts. I don't have the time or money to become an expert in a state a half-continent away. Wish I did, because I'd love to use your suggestions and take an elk on my own.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[OR186]

I know nothing of that outfitter so this isn't directed at him but be careful of who you book with in Colorado.The only thing some of those guys like about Californians is their money. Your guy might be ok but ask some questions like how many hunters will be in camp, will you have help getting your game out of the field,is cold storage nearby.Ask for references and what is his % of repeat customers.One thing that comes to mind is if you have been in business 30 yrs. you should fill-up just on repeat business.Some outfits have to rely on the shows to bring in all new hunters every year or they over-book.I don't mean to be so negative but I hate to see guys spend the time & money to go back there & find out you have been had.

 

[Widux]

Might try K&S Outfitters in Craig- good camp- guides- no kids right out of guides school- good equipment and lotts elk- not too many biggies- mostly rags- 4x5's etc but did see two or so big boys didn't get them- everyone in camp got shots some didn't get a beast but our group of three got two bulls and 12 yr old lad a nice cow-

 

[Speckmisser]

Well, I'll be danged! Looks like I'm going with Mr. Hyatt after all!

At the ISE show he was selling tickets for an elk hunt. $20 a pop, but he swore he was only gonna sell 100 tickets each day. Since it was Sunday afternoon, I figured what the heck. I never win anything, but it's always fun to try, right?

Well, at 0834 I got a call from Mr Hyatt. Looks like my ticket got drawn! 1st Rifle season in GMU 62, pending a successful draw. He seemed pretty confident I'd get it, though, and if not we'll reschedule.

How cool is that?

 

[Hogskin]

Jeez, way to go Speckmisser! Congrats, you're in for a great time.

Regards,
Paul

 

[Speckmisser]

Thanks, Paul.

I'm heading out to buy a lottery ticket now too.

 

[COHunter]

Congrats on your win

Be sure to take your Shotgun with you if you get your Elk early. There are tons of Blue Grouse in that region and small game is only $5.00 a day

 

[BDB]

Congrats Speck. I guess that answers my nagging need to know if I won or not.

 

[Speckmisser]

Hey BDB,

At least I'll be able to give you a first-hand report about the service and the hunt!

CO, that sounds like a good idea on the grouse. I'm not real big on fishing, so the ponds probably won't get much use, but it could be a blast to go chase some birds.

 

[BDB]

Hey Speck I have a great idea. I'll put in for the same time period and we can split the cost of the hunt sort of as a consolation prize since you won and I didn't

 

[Speckmisser]

BDB,

Oddly enough, you're not the first person to suggest that. Mudwalker was with me when I bought the ticket, and she had the same thing to say when I told her I won.

Then when I told my brother, he had the same idea.

To which I can only reply ...

Seriously, he does have openings still for that hunt, but it's elk only... no deer.

If it goes well and I like this guy, I'm probably gonna put in for his archery hunt in 2004.

 

[wmidbrook]

Hey congrats Speckmisser!

If that unit is part of the General Muzzleloading, you'd be a sure draw next year the third week of Sept. if you're looking to increase your odds of bagging one during the bugling season. I think it only takes 1 pt to lock in a draw.