Rocky Mountain Elk Rifle & Muzzleloader Hunts

Hunt private ranches with Muzzleloader during the peak of the rut in a controlled harvest unit of Colorado for quality Bull Elk. Unit 20 is currently managed to produce 45 bulls / 100 cows Most hunters will get an opportunity to shoot a good (heavy 6x6) Bull during this hunt. This is a great hunt in gentle country, by Colorado high-country standards. This area produces some huge Bulls with top-end around  350” B&C. This is full service hunt with all the meals and accommodations (nice cabins) included. The Muzzleloader tag was an easy draw, but last year it took 11 preference points, as there is a significant number of hunters sitting on 9 preference points with no realistic option to draw the most popular units like 201, 10 and 2. A “Landowner Voucher” can be purchased $1,500 if unsuccessful in the draw.  

Cost: $6,500 (based on 2 person)  Deposit: $1250 

When: Muzzle-loader Season in 2023 (2022 is full)   

What is included for $6,500: 

1) Licensed professional guide (2 hunters per guide) for 7 full days of hunting

2) Field preparation of trophies and meat and packing out to a road 

3) Transportation during the hunt, including 4x4s, ATVs, or Horses when needed

4) Access to private ranches 

What is not included : 

1) License – currently requires 9 preference points to draw 

2) Meals and Accommodations - Hunters stay in motel near Estes Park

3) Meat processing 

4) Trophy Fee - $1,000 

The area 

Unit 20 is considered a “Quality Elk Unit” in Colorado’s limited draw system. The Bull to Cow ratio in the unit 20 has been 40 bulls per 100 cows after the hunting season. The unit borders Rocky Mountain National Park on the parks’ east side. 

The resident Elk tend to stay close to the eastern and central part of the unit on largely private lands with hard to access public land behind locked gates. 

The Tag

Unit 20 is controlled harvest unit, with strict quota on the number of tags. The Muzzleloader tag was an easy draw, but last year it took 9 preference points, as there is a significant number of hunters sitting on 10-12 preference points with no realistic option to draw the most popular units like 201, 10 and 2.  A “Landowner Voucher” can be purchased $1,500 if unsuccessful in the draw. 

Trophy Quality and success 

While some have the occasional tough hunt, bulls are usually available for hunters who are in good physical shape and can hold out for the right animal. Several Bulls over 300 will be taken every year, and most hunters will see Bulls over 330 B&C. Success has run > 65% on the Muzzle-loader hunts and many years all the hunters will kill a bull. 

Hunting strategy: A combination of spot and stalk while calling to rutting bulls during the peak of the bugling. 

Muzzleloader requirements (state Law - 2017) 

Only legal muzzleloaders allowed in muzzle-loading seasons.

In-line muzzleloaders are legal. 

Must be a single barrel that fires a single round ball or conical projectile. 

To hunt elk or moose, they must be a minimum of .50 caliber. 

Bullets must weigh a minimum of 170 grains for 50 cal. >210 grains If greater than .50 caliber Shotshell primers and B.O.R. Lock MZ System bullets are legal. i. 

Pelletized powder systems are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. 

Cannot be loaded from the breech during muzzleloading seasons.

Only open or iron sights allowed in muzzleloading seasons. 

Fiber optics and fluorescent paint incorporated into or on open or iron sights are legal. 

Scopes or any sighting device using artificial light, batteries and electronic gear are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. 

Sabots are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are not sabots.

Smokeless powder is prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black powder and black-powder substitutes are legal. 

Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to muzzleloader during muzzle-loading seasons.

                                    Contact Tom Close  for more information  (715) 554 - 3302  

  This is a classic alpine Bugle-hunt in the backcountry of Colorado’s unit 19, near Rocky Mountain National park. Call to rutting bulls near tree-line in this beautiful wilderness, accessible by 6-10 mile trail ride by pack-string. Unit 19 is a controlled harvest unit (19), so they winter far more adult Bulls than the general tag areas. You can expect to have good action, with an abundant supply of 300 class Bulls, and occasionally one of the bigger “Park-Bulls” will find his way into your basin. This is a 6-day full service hunt with a quality guides and equipment. This hunt is conducted during the Muzzleloader season Where: Colorado Big Game Unit 19 near Rocky Mountain National Park   

Cost: $6,500 (based on 2 person)  Deposit: $1750   

When: Muzzle-loader Season 2023 (2022 is full)    

What is included for $6,500: 

1) Licensed professional guide (2 hunters per guide) for 6 full days of hunting

2) All Meals and accommodations (tent camp) needed during the hunt 

3) Field preparation of trophies and meat and packing out to a road 

4) Access to the backcountry with horses. 

What is not included : 

1) License – currently requires 2 preference points to draw 

2) Landowner vouchers ($500) when available 

2) Gratuity for the guide 

3) Meat processing & taxidermy work 

Hunting strategy: A combination of spot and stalk while calling to rutting bulls during the peak of the bugling. 

Trophy Quality and success 

While some hunters have the occasional tough hunt, bulls are usually available for hunters who are in good physical shape and will hunt hard all week. There’s a good population of Elk, with a good supply of nice (5x5s and 6x6s) bulls with some from 300 to 350 B&C. It’s not, however an area where you’d expect to pick through lots of Bulls over 300 B&C.

Muzzleloader requirements (state Law - 2017) 

Only legal muzzleloaders allowed in muzzle-loading seasons.

In-line muzzleloaders are legal. 

Must be a single barrel that fires a single round ball or conical projectile. 

To hunt elk or moose, they must be a minimum of .50 caliber. 

Bullets must weigh a minimum of 170 grains for 50 cal. >210 grains If greater than .50 caliber Shotshell primers and B.O.R. Lock MZ System bullets are legal. i. 

Pelletized powder systems are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. 

Cannot be loaded from the breech during muzzleloading seasons.

Only open or iron sights allowed in muzzleloading seasons. 

Fiber optics and fluorescent paint incorporated into or on open or iron sights are legal. 

Scopes or any sighting device using artificial light, batteries and electronic gear are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. 

Sabots are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are not sabots.

Smokeless powder is prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black powder and black-powder substitutes are legal. 

Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to muzzleloader during muzzle-loading seasons.

                                        Prices subject to change without prior notice 

                                  Call Close Encounters for current pricing and availability 

                                                         Tom Close: (715) 554 – 3302 

 This is a classic alpine Spot and Stalk Rifle hunt in the backcountry of Colorado’s unit 19, near Rocky Mountain National park. Locate your Bull with extensive glassing from vantage near tree-line in this beautiful wilderness. This area is accessible by 6-10 mile trail ride by pack-string which minimizes hunting pressure. Unit 19 is a controlled harvest unit (19), so they winter far more adult Bulls than the general tag areas. You can expect to have decent action, with an abundant supply of 300 class Bulls, and occasionally one of the bigger “Park-Bulls” will find his way into your basin. This is a 5-day full service hunt with a quality guides and equipment. 

Where: Colorado Big Game Unit 19 near Rocky Mountain National Park  

Cost: $6,500 (based on 2 person)  Deposit: $1750 

When: Now booking for 1st Rifle Season in 2023 (2022 is full) 

What is included for $6,500: 

1) Licensed professional guide (2 hunters per guide) for 5 full days of hunting

2) All Meals and accommodations (tent camp) needed during the hunt 

3) Field preparation of trophies and meat and packing out to a road 

4) Access to the backcountry with horses. 

What is not included : 

1) License – currently requires 0-1 preference points to draw 

2) Landowner vouchers ($500) when available 

2) Gratuity for the guide 

3) Meat processing & taxidermy work 

Hunting strategy: Spot and stalk  

Trophy Quality and success 

While some hunters have the occasional tough hunt, bulls are usually available for hunters who are in good physical shape and will hunt hard all week. There’s a good population of Elk, with a good supply of nice (5x5s and 6x6s) bulls with some from 300 to 350 B&C. It’s not, however an area where you’d expect to pick through lots of Bulls over 300 B&C.  

                                      Prices subject to change without prior notice 

                              Call Close Encounters for current pricing and availability 

                                                    Tom Close: (715) 554 – 3302 

  Hunt from a drop-camp in the wilderness of the Colorado’s unit 19 backcountry. This outfitter packs you (6-10 miles) into prime Elk country where you stay in fully equipped tent-camps. The camps have everything you need but food and personal gear. This is another great hunt for the experienced outdoorsman. You can expect to have good action, with a decent chance at bulls up to 300 B&C inches. 

This is a classic high-country Hunt where the Elk are usually found near tree-line, over 10,000 ft elevation. Unit 19 is a controlled harvest (draw) unit, which allows the area to sustainable quality. They winter far more adult Bulls than the Over the Counter general tag areas. 

Where: Colorado Big Game Unit 19 near Rocky Mountain National Park  

Cost: $8,500 / group of 4 ($2,125 per person)   Deposit: $1,000 / person   

Available Hunt Dates in 2023 (2022 is full) 

2nd & 3rd rifle seasons 

What is included for $2,125: 

1) Round trip transportation into the back-country 

a. Horseback pack-train  

2) Packing of Elk out of the back-country 

a. Elk must be quartered and accessible to the horses (trail) 

3) Accommodations (tent-camp) in the hunting area

4) Lanterns and cooking equipment needed during the hunt  

5) Map and general assistance from the packer at the start of the hunt

What is not included : 

1) Guide 

2) License – currently most guys draw the 1st year

a. Landowner vouchers available ($500) if unsuccessful in the draw 

3) Food & consumable commodities  

3)  Meat processing 

4) Items of personal nature  

Trophy Quality and Success 

While some have the occasional tough hunt, bulls are usually available for hunters who are in good physical shape and will hunt hard all week. There’s a good population of Elk, and lots of nice (5x5s – 6x6s) bulls with some from 300 to 350 B&C , but not an area where you’d should pass too many Bulls.    

Hunting strategy: A combination of spot and stalk & tracking with decent snow. 

                                      Prices subject to change without prior notice

                   Contact Close Encounters for current pricing and availability

                                          Tom Close: (715) 554 – 3302

       Hunt trophy Elk with a rifle during the peak of the rut in the backcountry of southeastern British Columbia with one of the best outfitters in the area. This area has not been hunted professionally in the last 25 years, and is remote with a 6 point minimum by law, which ensures top-end trophy potential. Success runs high, and most years > 65% of the hunters will tag bulls over 300 inches and the area has good potential for a crack at a Bull that will score over 35. Most of the shooters will run 300- 320 inches B&C. The 2012 season was especially warm and difficult hunting, so they had a good carry-over of mature Bulls. We expect them to kill some real monsters this fall. Mule deer or Whitetails are common and can be added to this hunt, but should be considered secondary, with focused effort only after you tag your Elk. 

Where: The Purcell Mountain Range near Kootenay Lake, BC about 4 ½ hrs north of Spokane, WS 

Cost: $9,950 US  Deposit: $5,000   

Hunt Schedule for 2024 (2022 & 2023 are full)   

Hunt #1) September 10-16  Hunt #2) September 19 – 25 

Hunt #3) September 28 – October 4th  Hunt # 4) October 6 – 12 

What is included in hunt cost : 

· Services of licensed professional guide (1x1) for 7 days of hunting

· All meals and accommodations during the hunt

· All transportation needed during the hunt 

· Compulsory check of game (if needed) 

What is not included : 

· Canadian Goods & Service tax (GST/HST) - 5%

· Non-resident Hunting preservation fund - $200 

· Licenses -$220

· Tags – $300 (Elk)

o Whitetail - $150 

o Mule Deer - $150

o Black Bear - $220 

· Meat processing & taxidermy 

· Shipping of animals, capes or antlers 

How to get there: 

Fly into Spokane, Washington where you take rental car 4 1/2 hrs to hunting area. 

                              These prices subject to change without prior notice 

                         Contact Close Encounters for current prices and availability 

                                                 Tom Close: (715) 554 - 3302 

  This is an excellent Spot and Stalk Rifle hunt on private ranch in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains of central Montana just south of Martinsdale. Cruise one of the dirt tracks with pickup in the morning, stopping periodically to glass or to take short hikes to a better vantage, while waiting on an active meadow for the evening hunts. You’ll have 50,000 acres of private ranch with a good population to explore. They do well on this hunt as > 75% tag Bulls every year. The normal average shooter Bull runs around 300 inches, but they generally take a couple Bulls over 320 inches every year. This is a relatively (5500 ft) gentle area and is a good choice for an old gentleman or others with modest physical limitations, but like any elk hunt, the better you can go the better your chance to tag a good Bull. This is a 5-day full service hunt with good guides and nice lodge. 

Where: Martinsdale, Montana   

Cost: $6,000    Deposit: $3,000    

When: Entire Montana Rifle Elk Season    

What is included for $6,000: 

1) Licensed professional guide (2 hunters per guide) for 5 full days of hunting

2) All Meals and accommodations (nice lodge) needed during the hunt 

3) Field preparation of trophies and meat and packing out to a road 

4) All the transportation needed during the hunt  

What is not included : 

1) License – currently   

2) Gratuity for the guide 

3) Meat processing & taxidermy work 

Hunting strategy: They can effectively hunt these elk a few different ways. The more physical guys can get out and hunt pockets of rough ground on foot but its nearly as effective to glass from the truck or ridgeline near the truck in the morning. Often they’ll have a meadow that   Spot animals from distance and only approach if they need to verify size or determine the Bull is a worth and Stalk  

Trophy Quality and success 

While some hunters have the occasional tough hunt, bulls are usually available for hunters who are in good physical shape and will hunt hard all week. There’s a good population of Elk, with a good supply of nice (5x5s and 6x6s) bulls with some from 300 to 350 B&C. It’s not, however an area where you’d expect to pick through lots of Bulls over 300 B&C.  

                                         Prices subject to change without prior notice 

                              Call Close Encounters for current pricing and availability 

                                                     Tom Close: (715) 554 – 3302