I've booked a short notice Elk hunt with Beaverhead Outfitters near Winston NM (16E). Any board member familiar with this outfitter or the area. It will be a wilderness area horseback hunt.
I will be in CO hunting 10/17-21. I've wanted to hunt NM for some time now. We'll have a day to rest up and then start hunting their rifle season on the 24th.

Phil

I've hunted prarie dogs in the area. I stayed at Ken Swaims place who up until a year or so ago was a partner in Beaverhead Outfitters. Everything I've heard about them is top notch and the country is beatiful. You should be in for a great hunt.

I have known Jack Diamond who owns Beaverhead Outfitters since we were in high school in the 70's. You will not find a better outfit to hunt with. The accomadations are top notch. I have not hunted in 16E, but have hunted the other 16 areas in the past. I will be hunting with Jack later in the season in 16C. Tell Jack Gordon says HI.

I've known Jack for several years now and know some of his guides as well. He's a top notch fellow who does it the traditional way. You will have a good hunt.

I take a bunch of customers on a couple hunts every year with beaverhead, top notch.

I felt comfortable with my choice and your replies are reassuring. Haven't been on a horeback hunt for a couple years now, nothing like riding in the mtns. Have a vacant spot on my wall for a good 6x6.
Thanks
Phil

Hi

Left for my annual Colorado elk hunt on 10/13. Made the the trip without any mishaps, stopping at the same motels, restaurants etcs. This was our fourth year at the same ranch in the south western corner of the state. Weather was good, but on the way out of Denver where we caught some cold rain, there was some snow in the higher elevations.

We arrived in elk camp on 10/15, this gave us a breather before the opener on the 17th. Weather was warmer than normal, in the 70s. This of course did not help the hunting, elk were not moving. I saw one elk the first morning, got in the oak brush and have no idea what it was,. Third morning saw what I do believe was a bull, was visible from the front shoulder back but could not ID it for a legal bull so I didn't take the shot. Had a deer tag, passed on a couple bucks. Nothing really big, 21-22".

Last day, bout the last hour we got on what we thought was a good mulie in the oak brush. Took the shot at a ranged 580 yds, pretty buck but no better or not as big as the ones I passed on. Nonetheless a nice buck--have never taken a really good mulie.





Then!!! Off to New Mexico. Hunted with Beaverhead Outfitters. This was a horse hunt in a wilderness hunt. Covered a lot of ground, saw several bulls. I tagged out on day four, just as the front moved into the area. At day break we saw a large herd of elk on the ridge parallel to our position . The horses seamed to sense the excitement and there was no problem keeping abreast of the elk for a couple miles til they got in the timber. We tied off, headed out out on foot and a couple of ridges over got my shot at 374 yds.






He was a big mature old bull, scarred up from fighting and passed his prime








FYI; I'm on the right.

The wind came up as we were coming out, I would guess 30-40 mph. You could feel the horses bracing against it.









Some pics of a very interesting room at the lodge

Phil

Very nice bull. Well done

Thanks for sharing the story and the pictures.

Great hunt and EXTREMELY great shooting. What caliber is your LSS?

That is the type of hunt I would love to do !
Man that looks like fun !

quote:

Originally posted by SIR MAUSER:
Great hunt and EXTREMELY great shooting. What caliber is your LSS?

Rifle was a 338 RUM, I've had good luck with it for three seasons now. Been worked over by a local gunsmith, easy gun to shoot--not finicky. Loading the 250gr AccuBond in front of 91 grs RL 25. Recovered the bullet from the mule deer looks like the ones in the Nosler catalog. On the elk it penetrated both shoulders and kept going. Scope is a NF 5.5-22 x 500mm. Also had a Sako 30-378 Wby as a back up rifle, didn't need it.

Phil

GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD HUNT AT BEAVERHEAD. I THOUGHT YOU WOULD. THE BEAVERHEAD LODGE IS A PRETTY NEAT PLACE. JACK AND FAMILY ARE THE BEST.