Deer and Elk Hunting Report

This past season was our best ever, and we've made some changes to ensure that this coming season will be even better. We gave up a couple of our leases after looking hard at the cost-to-value ratio and have picked up a couple of additional hunting properties. Not only did our trophy mule deer hunt in Sonora, Mexico, go better than ever, but we also have refined our less expensive elk and deer offerings in Utah and Idaho. Also, our Idaho lease is available again this year to self-guided hunters.

Guided mule deer:

We're looking forward to a great year and have cut back on our deer leases to just the best properties in Utah and Sonora, Mexico. We had our best year yet in Sonora (January and February 2009). Except for a hunter who missed a 205 net typical, everybody scored on mature bucks. The bucks we took averaged 187 Boone and Crockett points, and this even included two bucks in the 170s, which hunters shot within their first two days. Our Mexico bucks this year spread up to 33 1/2 inches wide and scored up to 202 net B&C typical points. We had just two hunters shoot Coues deer, and both scored 117 gross B&C points. One of them had broken off about 15 inches in tines, or he would have scored in the 130s. We will be offering guided hunts this year on some Utah leases where we saw the biggest bucks we have seen in many years. We know the slower economy has impacted many customers, so we're making some discounted hunts available in 2009. Call for details.

Guided elk:

Our guided elk hunts very in price according to ranch size and typical trophy quality, but hunter success is high. If you just want to shoot a bull on a moderately priced hunt, we can help. Or if you want to hold out for a giant, we have a hunt for you, too. We have openings for rifle (late September and early October), muzzleloader (early November) and archery (late August and early September). All our guided hunters scored in 2008 except for one hunter who missed three different bulls.

Self-guided deer and elk:

Our 9,000-acre Idaho property is available this year to small groups of do-it-yourself rifle and bowhunters. Contact us early if you want a do-it-yourself elk rifle hunt because if you don't apply for a tag in the state permit drawing, the only way to rifle hunt elk is to use a landowner voucher, of which we get only two a year. We had hunting TV personality Huntley Ritter bow hunt on the property in 2008, and he had a good time chasing a big herd bull his crew was able to catch on video, but he went home with his tag in his pocket. Perhaps you've seen the show that has been airing on Versus Network lately. There aren't as many elk on this ranch as on a typical Colorado ranch, but because it is in a unit where rifle tags are limited, we tend to see some bigger bulls. The best we've killed so far was a 352 P&Y 6x6, but we've seen bigger animals. Though deer numbers are lower in Idaho, there are some good bucks in this area. The first week is full, but we've always enjoyed hunting later in the season, when you're more likely to have snow on the ground.