Chalk it up to 9/11, the stock market pendulum, or whatever but quite a few outfitters didn't book up this year. One of our best outfitters still has a week completely open for one of his camps, and just cut the price a whopping 50%. So if you're a bargain hunter (in both senses of the phrase), with a jonesing for a big bull elk, and can schedule on short notice this is something to take a look at.
I put details on my website, http://www.cowboyhvn.com/2002_elk_special.htm but briefly it's a tent camp in the Madison Range. Prime area with limited hunting pressure, lots of elk and a proven history of producing trophy bulls. His normal price is $3800 for 2 X 1, or $5000 1 X 1. He'd book two to four guys 11/20-26, for $1900 per.
For that price, it'll be a semi-guided hunt, which you understand is not at all the same thing as a hunt with a semi-guide ;-). There'd be two staff members in camp; an experienced cook/guide/wrangler, and an assistant. They'll show you around, but you'd primarily be hunting on your own. It's no road hunt, you need to be in decent shape. You ride horse to camp, but hunt primarily on foot.
Most interestingly, there are still a handful of Montana Elk Combination licenses available from Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, for $585.00. We're talking three or four licenses that were returned (my gunfire and guitar damaged ears were unable to decipher the exact reason, but it doesn't really matter. They're available, first come first served.)
If you've been thinking about hunting elk in Montana, this is one you ought to take a hard look at. Bargains like this don't come along too often, not for this caliber of hunt....

[ 11-01-2002, 01:56: Message edited by: Rimrock ]

That's a helluva good price.........!!!