DIY Drop Camps with Colorado Outfitters

DIY Drop Camps

Many of our drop camp hunters are successful every year. However, a key ingredient to this is previous hunting experience for elk. Drop camp hunters should be confident and comfortable navigating / hunting in the back country on their own. Additionally, drop camp hunters need to bring and cook their own meals, cut their own firewood and purify their own water. Lastly, if you do harvest an elk, hunters need to be capable of skinning, quartering and packing it out to an area where we can get our mules to it. We will then pack your harvested game out to the trail head. Ideally, we prefer drop camp groups of four hunters. However, we can accommodate up to groups of six. If you have less than four hunters, please call to discuss.

Colorado Outfitters will provide wall tent(s), cots and foam pads, chairs, woodstove, a camp chef for cooking, pots, pans and all cooking/eating utensils. Per above hunters must bring their own food as well as a good sleeping bag, personal and hunting gear. Check out our hunting checklists as well as our camp rules and guidlines to get a better feel on what to expect. Hunters need to be conscious on the weight of their gear and food. Bring only what you truly need. If you have questions on weight and how best to pack, please call us.

Our drops camps reside in proven hunting areas for elk and mule deer. If you do plan to hunt deer and draw a tag, let us know as some areas are better for deer than others (all areas have a healthy elk population). Camps are anywhere from a two to three hour horseback ride and hunting areas are typically from 9000 to 10,500 feet in elevation. Communication from the back country is done via cell phone (verizon has the best coverage and works best). Hunting areas consist of dark timber, alpine meadows and aspen areas. One you find elk or deer in your area it is advised to hunt wisely and be careful not to push them out (i.e. this means staying out of bedding areas). You will greatly increase your chances by being patience as once elk are driven from the area, they can and will travel a long ways!

Generally, by summers end we will have our pack-in and pack-out dates scheduled. We will notify hunters well in advance of these along with the camp you will be hunting out of and the trail head / time where you need to meet us. If you have specific dates you'd like us to meet, please let us know well in advance and we will do our best to accommodate. However, please do keep in mind we have many camps to deal with and weather can play a role too. You will meet us at the Trail Head Parking lot the day of pack-in.

Lastly, upon arrival at our base camp location you will be briefed on horse safety, the hunting area (we will go over this with you in detail via ONX hunting app, which we strongly recommend or TOPO maps), our policy and the importance of preserving our natural resources / primitive wilderness for future generations. 

Hunting Information

Elk Hunting

We offer archery, muzzleloader, and rifle elk hunts .  Choose from wilderness guided or base camp guided hunts.  

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Rates and Booking

Ready to book your hunt with Colorado Outfitters?  Check here for our most current rates and booking information.  

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Deer Hunting

We offer archery, muzzleloader, and rifle deer hunts.  For hunters with bonus points, you have an opportunity at a great trophy!  

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Trip Planning

Booked your trip?  Here are some resources and information to help you plan for a successful hunt with Colorado Outfitters!  

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Season Dates

See the various season dates and the hunt codes published by the Colorado Department of Wildlife.  

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Contact Us

Do you prefer to speak in person?  So do we!  Give us a call or shoot us an email and we can arrange a time to speak one-on-one. 

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Video - What to Bring and How to Pack for a Pack In Drop Camp

Successful Hunts Gallery

Colorado Outfitters, LLC
19495 County Road 17
Craig, CO 81625
(970) 319-4866
info@co-outfitters.com

What Our Clients Say

Myself, Mike Cigich and Marty Moyer would like to thank you for an awesome experience!

Thanks again for the experience!

Your satisfied client - Adam Walker

I waited 25 years to draw this tag and I can't say enough about how Colorado Outfitters made my dream come true!

Ricky Taaffee

Our wilderness pack in trip with Colorado Outfitters was top notch from beginning to end. The quality of the Guides, horses, meals and accommodations were superb.

The Reid Family

I had the good fortune to choose Outfitters as the professional guide service for my Colorado Moose hunt. I can recommend Colorado Outfitters with the highest confidence.

Mark Sampson

I had a great time fishing at Colorado Outfitters last summer! This was my first time here. Needless to say, I'll be back as fishing, scenery and horses were great!

Paul Winterman

State of Colorado Outfitters Registration #733

Colorado Outfitters, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and provider, authorized by special use permits from the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management Little Snake Field Office to operate on the White River and Routt National Forests.