Cow elk hunts are the best value in all of elk hunting. You get everything that makes elk country special — big western landscapes, herds of elk, real hunting — at a fraction of the price of a trophy bull hunt, and with success rates bull hunters can only dream about. At the end of it, you drive home with a freezer full of the finest wild game meat there is: 150 to 200 pounds of clean, organic elk.
We offer cow elk hunts across multiple private-land operations in Colorado and New Mexico. Whether you want an affordable three-day hunt in Colorado ranch country, a fast two-day New Mexico hunt with a 100% success rate, or a January freezer hunt when the elk are herded up in big numbers, this page covers every place you can hunt cow elk with us.
Why Hunt Cow Elk?
Cow elk hunts are perfect for first-time elk hunters, families, hunters with lower physical capabilities, and anyone who values meat in the freezer over antlers on the wall. Tags are far easier to get than bull tags, the hunts cost thousands less, and on managed private ground the odds are heavily stacked in your favor. Many of our clients book a cow hunt as an annual meat run — and plenty use it as a low-pressure way to learn elk country before stepping up to a guided bull hunt.
Southwest Colorado — Durango Area
This private-land hunt in southwest Colorado covers multiple properties of agricultural and hay fields surrounded by tribal land — a safe haven that keeps elk on the ranch and hunting pressure low. This is a low-physical-demand hunt: most of the hunting is watching the hay fields and waiting for elk to feed into them. Cow hunts here are semi-guided three-day hunts — lodging and hunt guidance are provided, and a full guide can be added for $250 a day.
Northwest Colorado — Craig Area
Our Craig-area operation spans three ranches totaling 7,000 acres, with a comfortable lodge as basecamp. The country is grassy meadows, sagebrush, aspens, and oak brush at 6,500–8,500 feet — perfect spot-and-stalk terrain that is not technically challenging, and all of it accessible by vehicle. This is the same high-elk-density property as our Colorado private land elk hunts, so you will be hunting ground with a lot of elk on it. Cow hunts here are semi-guided three-day hunts with lodging included.
New Mexico — Two-Day Private Ranch Hunt
If you want the fastest, surest path to a full freezer, this is it. This fully outfitted two-day cow elk hunt takes place on private ranch country in southern New Mexico with a 100% success rate. Elk numbers on the ranch are exceptional — it is common to see hundreds of elk in a day. Two days, one tag, meat in the truck. This hunt is ideal for hunters short on vacation time or anyone pairing a quick meat hunt with a family trip.
New Mexico — January Cow Elk Program
A select few private ranches in northeast New Mexico are enrolled in a January cow elk program built for affordable freezer-filling hunts. January elk are herded up in big, visible groups on winter ground, making this one of the most action-packed times of year to hunt. These ranches are part of our New Mexico trophy elk operation, where all private-land tags are either-sex. Contact us for current January program rates and availability.
Pricing
- Colorado cow elk hunt — Durango area (3 days, semi-guided, lodging included): $3,000 USD
- Colorado cow elk hunt — Craig area (3 days, semi-guided, lodging included): $3,000 USD
- New Mexico two-day private ranch cow elk hunt (100% success): $4,025 USD
- New Mexico January cow elk program: contact us for current rates
- Add a full guide on Colorado hunts: $250 per day
Rates are confirmed for your season when you book.
What’s Included
- Lodging on all hunts
- 3 hunting days (Colorado) or 2 hunting days (New Mexico)
- Semi-guided hunt support in Colorado; fully outfitted guiding in New Mexico
- Skinning and meat care
What’s Not Included
- Hunting license and cow elk tag
- Meals on Colorado cow hunts
- Full guide on Colorado hunts (optional, $250/day)
- Travel to and from the ranch
- Meat processing and taxidermy
- Tips for your guide
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
