September in the Colorado Rockies is a season all its own. The bulls are bugling, the aspens are turning gold, and the high country is alive with elk on the move. This is wild, public-land elk hunting the way it was meant to be — horseback rides into the wilderness before dawn, calling bulls into range on foot, and packing your animal off the mountain with a string of horses.
The main camp sits just outside the town of Gunnison in GMU 55, on the home range of a local herd and right along the migration route the elk follow as the snow piles up. With seasons running from early September through late November, and a limited trophy unit in the mix, there is a hunt here for every kind of elk hunter — from the seasoned backcountry DIY hunter to the first-time western hunter who wants to be guided every step of the way.
The Country — GMU 55 & 67
Camp is located in GMU 55, where elk can be hunted effectively from early September through November. As the snow starts to fall, the herd migrates down out of the high country and through the travel corridors the camp is positioned to intercept. GMU 55 offers archery, muzzleloader, and four separate rifle seasons — something to fit every weapon and every level of experience.
Unit 67 is a separate, limited-draw quality unit. Because it is managed for quality, there are genuine opportunities to harvest a trophy bull (300″+) during these hunts. Unit 67 hunts are offered for the 3rd and 4th rifle seasons and run as a spot-and-stalk hunt. If you are weighing more Colorado elk options, compare these against our Southern Colorado wilderness pack-in elk hunt and our guided Colorado elk hunts in other units.
Choose Your Hunt Style
Fully Guided Base Camp: The best option for a first-time western hunter, or anyone who isn’t comfortable navigating the mountains alone. Bring your clothes, pack, and weapon — everything else is provided. A guide takes you into the wilderness each day to the best possible position to fill your tag, and once an animal is down your guide quarters it and packs it off the mountain with the pack horses. Includes a fully equipped base camp and warm meals every day.
Primitive Backcountry Guided: A new and very limited offering, and a hunt very few people will ever experience. This is a strenuous, off-trail hunt for those in top physical condition — many miles on foot in rugged terrain, camping out of small backpacking tents and sleeping bags so the crew can stay light and move daily to chase bulls and bucks through the high country. Offered only for archery, muzzleloader, and first rifle seasons.
Trophy Bulls in Unit 67
Unit 67 is a limited unit, which means you need points to draw the tag — but it also means the herd is managed for quality, with the chance at a mature 300″+ bull. Landowner tags are available from time to time (call for availability). Because the 3rd and 4th rifle hunts fall in mid-to-late November, these hunts are run from a hunting lodge in the town of Gunnison rather than a wall-tent camp: your own room, and a full-service chef serving hot meals after a long day in the field. Days are spent covering country by truck and on foot, glassing with optics until a bull worth pursuing is located, then closing the distance for the stalk.
Seasons (GMU 55)
Three GMU 55 seasons require hunters to enter the draw for limited tags — early archery, 1st rifle, and 4th rifle. The 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons are over-the-counter (OTC). We’re happy to help you determine the best use of your preference points and walk you through the application process; tags are applied for in March through Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
- Archery — Sept 2 – Sept 30 (draw; non-residents ~2 points, residents 0–1)
- Muzzleloader — Sept 14 – Sept 22 (draw; non-residents ~6 points, residents 2)
- 1st Rifle — Oct 12 – Oct 16 (draw; non-residents ~2 points, residents 1)
- 2nd Rifle (OTC) — Oct 26 – Oct 30 (over-the-counter, no draw)
- 3rd Rifle (OTC) — Nov 9 – Nov 13 (over-the-counter, no draw)
- 4th Rifle — Nov 20 – Nov 24 (draw; often 0–1 points)
Pricing
All hunts are 5-day hunts, priced per hunter. Some hunts are customizable — reach out and we’ll tailor a hunt to fit you.
- Fully Guided Base Camp, 2×1 (one guide, two hunters): $7,000 USD per hunter
- Fully Guided Base Camp, 1×1 (private guide): $7,500 per hunter
- Primitive Backcountry Guided, 1×1: $7,500 per hunter
- Trophy Unit 67 Guided (3rd & 4th rifle), 2×1: $7,000 / 1×1: $7,500 per hunter
- Tag-Along (non-hunting companion joining a hunter): $2,000 per person
What’s Included
- 5 hunting days
- Guide (on all guided hunts) and experienced local outfitter knowledge of the unit
- Fully equipped camp — base camp with warm daily meals (guided), or lodge with private room and full-service chef (Unit 67)
- Horseback transportation into the wilderness and all packing — your gear in, and your gear and game out
- Field quartering and pack-out of your animal with pack horses (guided hunts)
What’s Not Included
- Colorado elk license/tag and any application or preference-point fees (applied for through Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
- Travel to and from Gunnison, Colorado
- Trophy care, caping, shipping, and taxidermy
- Personal hunting gear, clothing, and weapon
- Gratuities for guides and staff
WO Trip Protection
For 5% of your trip cost, we guarantee your hunt. If the outfitter cancels, goes out of business, or a wildfire shuts down the area — we rebook you on a comparable hunt at no extra cost.
Ask your consultant about adding trip protection when you book.
Talk to a Consultant
