Weather and Success Rates

In the rifle seasons, our hunters typically enjoy an average success rate of 40-60% on bull elk.  In some cases, the weather can have a large influence on success rates.  If we get the right temperatures and the right amount of snow where we need it, our success rate can soar to the 60%-80% range.  When the weather turns warm and dry, hunting can get tough, and that's just the way it is.  When that happens, our success rate can drop to 20%-40%.  That doesn't mean there's no elk in the country.  And it certainly doesn't mean you're going to have a bad hunt, unless of course you let it discourage you to that point.  We want all of our hunters to fully understand that weather can play a major factor in success rates, and if a lower than expected success rate will lead to great disappointment and to your having a bad time, you might consider a different type of hunt, or sport.  Hunting is hunting, an the reality is that 'ole man weather really doesn't care about elk hunters' success rates. 

Many things affect the overall elk hunting success rate besides weather.  Elk hunters are individuals and even their reasons for hunting (their goals for the hunt) differ.  Some pass up shot opportunities at legal bulls because they're looking for that trophy of a lifetime...or a bull larger that they've harvested in the past.  Others are more interested on enjoying the hunt rather than the kill.  They tend not to push themselves as hard physically as those who consider their hunt a failure until they put an elk on the ground.  One isn't necessarily right while the other is wrong...they simply measure success by a different yardstick, and we work hard to give each the hunt they are looking for.

Perhaps the most frustrating factor affecting kill rates that outfitters point to is the occasional hunter who chooses not to listen to advice...by moving from the spot their guide has put them in for example, or by driving elk out of bedding areas or being over aggressive with calls.  A good guide wants and or needs his hunter to be successful and the guide's success in doing his job improves dramatically when there is trust and teamwork between the guide and hunter.

There are still other factors affecting kill rates.  One is a hunter's physical ability.  Every year we have hunters with physical limitations that affect the way we can hunt them.  We do everything within our power to provide them with an enjoyable hunt and the best opportunity to harvest an animal based on their ability to ride and walk in the high country.

Some outfitters prefer talking about shot opportunities rather than success rates as a big bull elk can do strange things to even an experienced hunter's concentration and ability to "shoot straight".  It happens and we have close and not so close misses each year.  We've had whitetail hunters desribe this as buck fever- times two.