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Because of the pristine mountains and abundance of wildlife, selecting a top hunting outfitter or hunting guide in the mountain west region of the U.S. can become overwhelming since there are literally hundreds of companies from which to choose. By doing a little research, however, you will start to see which outfitters have national recognition as high quality hunting guides, attracting hunting professionals such as Rick and Julie Krueter or Babe Winkelman or Spook Span and more. The best outfitters in the country are generally booked a year or two in advance, maintain high standards for wildlife management, have clients who return to hunt with them regularly, and they cater to your individual needs to help you meet your hunting goals including harvesting a trophy mule deer, trophy elk, or trophy Shiras Moose. Only a handful of big game outfitters in the county have access to abundant privately leased or owned hunting property. A few even have private hunting ranches and other property spanning two or more states. Even rarer are outfitters that responsibly manage the wildlife on their property to ensure that the land is not overhunted. Application of the Cooperative Management Wildlife Unit or CMWU philosophy ensures mature animals are available without the area in danger of being over hunted. Then there are accommodations. Whether you prefer a more rugged wall-tent hunt or a luxury hunting lodge, top western big game outfitters can accommodate your personal desires. Here are some other factors to keep in mind when selecting an outfitting company. Identify the Species A trophy-sized elk is an amazing animal to behold but they are limited in terms of the regions where you’ll find them. The best chance of fulfilling your dream of adding a mounted elk head on your wall is by going to the Rocky Mountains Region including Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and Montana. In fact, the Rocky Mountain Elk is the official state animal of Utah. These same states are also abundant in mule deer including the Rocky Mountain Mule Deer subspecies, a magnificent and formidable game with their keen sense of small and hearing. Mule deer are known for their stealth and hunting enthusiasts are likely to enjoy the spot and stalk process of harvesting a mature buck. Shiras moose, a species limited to the northern pacific and rocky mountain west regions of the United States, is the largest of the deer species but the smallest of the moose subspecies. Still impressive in size, a Shiras bull moose can weigh up to 1,000 pounds with racks up to around 50 inches wide. Identify the Weapon and the Season Most high quality hunting guides are happy to accommodate their clients according to the season and type of hunt they want to engage in. Whether you an archer, a muzzle loader, a rifle hunter or prefer a long-range rifle, a competent outfitter will know just where to take you for the best chance to take your shot regardless of the means you use. Then there are the seasonal variations. Have you imagined yourself harvesting a massive mule buck while its antlers are still covered in velvet? Perhaps tracking down a bugling elk during the rutting season has always sparked your interest. Within any given hunting season, there are specific seasonal events in the cycle of hunting that introduce a number of options into the hunt. Identify the Countryside Whether you prefer a rugged hunt covering a large terrain with vertical inclines for spot and stalk hunts or prefer to drive about for a sit and shoot from a Polaris side-by-side, make sure you select an outfitting company with access to the terrain and the professional guides to make your hunt fulfilling. Skilled guides can get their clients into shooting range the great majority of the time because they know the land and even the animals that reside there, including their eating and movement habits. Some hunters have physical limitations which is not a problem for high quality outfitters. Similarly, make sure you are aware of the hunter to guide ratios. Hunting guides that are serious about helping their hunters succeed stick to a one-guide to one-hunter ratio or one-guide to two-hunter ratio but not more than that. Identify Tag Availability Some outfitters have ready access to tags due to their private property status, which allows hunters to plan a hunt with confidence. When tags must be drawn, the hunting outfitter you select can tell you the exact submission and draw dates for each tag type, your chances of drawing a tag, and how to improve your odds of obtaining a tag. Indentify the Extras that Set the Outfitter Apart Let’s face it, guided hunts are expensive. Hunting with a professional outfitter can be a once in a lifetime event or an activity you enjoy annually. Whatever your circumstances, it’s the extra things that count. Outstanding big game outfitters provide all transportation to and from the airport, advanced hunting transportation during the hunt, provide a range of lodging options, serve you high quality meals, help you fine-tune and improve your shooting skills, create an environment of camaraderie, and make sure you have the time of your life. So check out their Facebook page and website, ask for references, and see if they have write-ups in popular hunting magazines or what their reputation is like with Cabela’s. If an outfitter has earned a fabulous reputation, you’ll find them and you’ll be glad you did! Jillynn Stevens writes on information of interest to consumers and the public. She recommends you check out The R & K Hunting Company as you are looking for a highly qualified hunging outfitter.
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