Waterfall Ranch Outfitters, Colorado Outfitters Registration #1101

Contact us: 970-247-8758 or email us

We look forward to another great year of specializing in full service, guided elk hunts in the Colorado Rockies. Here is some general information about our services, but please feel free to contact us with your specific interests or questions about our upcoming 2009 Colorado elk season. We offer six-day packages with a guide for every two hunters, usually filling our camp with 6 to 8 hunters. The backcountry experience starts the day before the hunt. Friday we pack into camp by horseback so we can start hunting by first light Saturday. We plan Wednesday's hunt to allow us to be back to the ranch by dark.

SUCCESS RATE - In more than 40 years of hunting in the same area, we have averaged a 75% success rate. This compares with the long-term statewide average of 10-29% for individual hunters and 25-35% for hunters with outfitters. Any hunt can vary between 0%-100% success. However, our customers always get a good hunt with great backcountry experiences, and our guides work very hard to meet or exceed your expectations.

GUIDES - Our guides are talented and experienced elk hunters, wranglers and packers. All of our guides are experienced in the "Zink" style of elk hunting, as developed more than 60 years ago and spanning four generations of Zink hunters. We know the country and habits of elk intimately. We design the hunt to accommodate each hunter's needs, abilities, and expectations. We will help you in every phase of the hunt, and in the dressing, packing, processing and shipping of your game when you down your elk.

TERRAIN - Camp is about 10 miles (3 hours by horseback) from the end of the road in the Hermosa Creek drainage. We are on public land in the San Juan National Forest, about 20 miles north of Durango. The area that we hunt ranges from 8,000 to 10,500 feet in elevation, with north facing dark spruce patches and south facing stands of Aspens covering ridges that rise 1,000 plus feet above the steep canyons. Most hunting spots are accessible by horseback, but often the special spots can be effectively hunted only on foot.

WEATHER - We have hunted in conditions varying from dry, sunny, 60-degrees days to socked-in days with temperatures in the single digits and a couple of feet of snow. We design each day's hunt to take best advantage of the conditions. In the mountains, these conditions can change drastically in just a few hours. A prepared hunter is a happy hunter.

PREPARATION - We highly advise that you schedule a 30-60 day aerobic exercise program including bicycling, stair climbing or any step and flexibility exercises. Also, schedule 3-5 horsebackrides prior to arriving to prepare you for a hard hunt in the saddle. The better prepared you are, the more comfortable you will be and the more fun you can have.

RIFLE - We recommend a bolt action rifle with a performance of 270/30-06 or greater with a good quality scope and cover. Shots range from a quick 50 yards to a maximum of 350 yards. Sighting in for 175-200 yard allows you to aim dead-on at most reasonable distances. At least 2-6 hours at a shooting range firing your rifle from a variety of stances is time well spent.

CLOTHING AND DUFFEL - You will need clothing that can be layered and adapted to all weather conditions, including a rain suit and felt-lined waterproof boots (Sorels). Two medium bags weighing approximately 25 pounds and a heavy sleeping bag is the easiest to pack on the horse. Maximum weight should not exceed 60 pounds of duffel per hunter. Please do not put all of your gear in one big bag. Packing it on a horse is difficult.

LICENSES - For the 2nd and 3rd seasons and archery, you can buy bull elk license locally after you arrive. Non-resident bull or either sex elk licenses are about $496.00 and cow licenses are about $254.00. In our area, you can have one of each bull and cow. For the 1st season, 4th season and archery, an application process is required. Applications for limited elk licenses are due by the first Tuesday in April 2009 and results are announced in June 2009. We will help you get an application for these lottery drawn licenses, or go on line at www.wildlife.state.co.us

HUNTER SAFETY CARDS - Hunters born after 1-1-49 must have completed a hunter safety course and have a hunter safety card in their possession to purchase a license.

DATES OF HUNTS LICENSE PRICE BOOKING STATUS
Archery/Muzzle contact us for information
1st camp-October 9-12-must apply for a license by 4/1/09

2nd camp-October 16-21 Elk-over the counter

3rd camp-October 30-November 4 Elk-over the counter

4th hunt-November middle draw only

CONTRACTS - Prior to the hunt, we'll send you a medical information form and contract. This aids in planning the hunt and camp to meet your needs, as well as selecting your horse and saddle.

FINANCES - Your non-refundable deposit of $1500 will reserve a place for you (first season is refundable only if you don't draw a license, which has not happened in our unit). If you do not complete the form from the DOW correctly and do not get a license, your deposit will not be refunded. The balance is due 60 days before the hunt starts. We have meat processing available for $225 per elk, an optional service. The vast majority of the time, we will have your meat ready to go home with you. Any meat processing, shipping or taxidermy costs will be passed on to you.

Again, feel free to call or write if you have questions or just want to talk about elk hunting.

Getting elk licenses is getting increasingly complex, but if you figure it out it can be very rewarding with hunter's choice or double licenses available. Contact us or the Colorado Division of Wildlife site at www.wildlife.state.co.us.