Palmer Outfitters, LLC

Palmer Outfitters is owned and operated by Brian and Brent Palmer and is located in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. We operate on private land property and the Rio Grande National Forest under the USFS Sauguache Ranger District. We are fortunate to have well-watered grass in the San Luis Valley all surrounded by some of the most beautiful high country and mountains in all of Colorado. The elk population in the mountains surrounding the San Luis Valley is great, and thanks to the limited buck deer tags our mule deer are getting a chance to grow some real good antlers. Antelope hunting around here has always been good and you will see plenty of quality bucks during your hunt with us. Local ranches grow plenty of alfalfa which helps keep our game animals well fed.

Our guided camps are limited to 4 hunters which allows us to provide excellent service and helps give everyone the best possible chance at seeing and harvesting game. We also provide self-guided, drive to (4WD) drop camp hunting from comfortable fully outfitted tent camps, and I have available a beautiful log cabin for for those who want the extra comfort of a kitchen, hot showers, flush toilets and comfortable beds. From the cabin we provide self guided hunts and we'll also use the cabin during the late rifle seasons as a base camp.

As an avid hunters ourselves, we have had the privilege of hunting this valley and the surrounding mountains for many years. Our knowledge of the land and its game, and our many years of Colorado hunting will help you have a great hunt. Almost everyone sees animals and many will get a shot opportunity. Not everyone harvests game, but that's why it's called hunting. Complete information on all our hunts and outfitting services can be found by clicking on the links below. After viewing the information, please feel free to call or write so we can answer any questions you may have.

We are a small, family run business with many repeat clients who come hunt with us year after year. With those folks we have become good friends. Please call soon and try a hunt with us and we are confident you too will be returning to the wonderful San Luis Valley. We look forward to welcoming you to Colorado!

GUIDED RIFLE HUNT:

The mountains surrounding the San Luis Valley provide excellent habitat for elk and mule deer and you will find outstanding hunting opportunities during any of the the four Colorado rifle seasons. 1st season is elk only while deer can be hunted during the other rifle seasons if you are successful in drawing a license.

We provide fully guided hunts on a 2X1 basis from pack-in, wilderness tent camps, while 4th season and our December cow hunts are usually based from our cabins in the valley as we then have 4WD drive access to several trailheads and a greater chance of finding game. To get the most enjoyment from these hunts, and to increase your chances for success, we recommend that you be in the best physical shape possible. Hunting the high mountains is strenuous and while we do use horses to access the camps, hiking at high elevation cannot be avoided. Our camps are set in areas where we see elk year after year, so we often head right out on foot from the camps and go after them. You must be in shape for this hunt!

We provide one guide for each two hunters, with 4 hunters per camp. You are provided with everything including excellent home cooked meals and a sack lunch for the day in the field. You need only bring your license, sleeping bag, weapon and personal gear. The camps are large and comfortable. We usually have a separate sleep tent, while the main tent is where meals are served and where we relax at night. We have wood heat and propane cook stoves and lanterns. A toilet and shower (weather dependent) will be available.

SELF GUIDED CAMPS:

I have lived here and outfitted hunts in this area for many years. My knowledge of the local terrain, drainages, and elk habits and movement will help you have a successful hunt. We offer several drive-to camp locations which are 4WD accessible. We do not use horses and this is not a pack-in, drop camp hunt. Groups of varying sizes can be accommodated from individual hunters to 4-6 persons in a tent camp or the cabin. Just ask and we'll get something set up for you that will work.

**** Bear Creek Camp: Our Bear Creek Camp is remote and located in an area where vehicle traffic is minimal. Outfitting services on this hunt include getting you into camp where I will brief you on the local hunting terrain and current hunting conditions. I will share my personal knowledge of the area with you and do everything possible to help you have a safe, enjoyable and successful week of hunting. Hunters who are prepared physically and who are ready with their equipment and pre-hunt planning are more successful in finding elk on this hunts.

**** Spring Gulch Cabin: Our Spring Gulch Camp is a wonderful log cabin set on private land with walk-out access to the National Forest. There is no public access on either side of the camp and you will find elk on the mountain above the property. As with any elk, hunt you will want to be in good shape as the mountain begins at the camp, so your daily hunt will begin with a walk up the hill. This area has some real good mule deer too, and there is a brook with lots of trout on the property. As we do for all our self-guided hunts, I will review with you places where we historically see elk.

**** Cabin Hunt: Our cabin is also available for self-guided hunts. You can read all about it and see some pictures on the Cabin Hunt page. The cabin is located at the east side of the San Luis Valley with National Forest land available right out the door. Several good trailheads are within a mile or so of the cabin and this is an area where hunters historically find the elk. We kill lots of elk, mule deer and antelope right around the cabin each year.

ARCHERY OR MUZZLELOADING RIFLE HUNTS:

September is a magical time here in the valley and the surrounding mountains. I consider this the absolute best hunting of the year. Pressure from other hunters is low, and the elk are beginning to herd up in anticipation of the annual breeding season or rut. As September progresses, almost on a daily basis, you will see more and more elk movement and hear bugling thoughout the drainages as the bulls fight for control of the cows.

September is also the time when we enjoy some of the best hunting weather of the year. Typically we have bright sunny days with temperatures ranging from the 40's to mid-60's. Nights will be cool with a frost on the ground in the morning. It is not unusual to get a brief afternoon shower, and at higher elevations we may even get some snow. Many experienced elk hunters consider this the best time to kill a trophy bull. For those of you taking a guided hunt with us, you can expect to learn almost everything there is to know about elk and elk hunting. We will use a variety of hunting tactics from spot and stalk, to sitting on wallows, to calling with cow calls and bugles. This will not only be a hunt, but a tremendous learning experience.

Mule deer can also be hunted in September. They will make a really nice trophy as generally they will still be in velvet until later in the month. Either sex archery licenses for elk are available over the counter while deer licenses are on a draw basis. All muzzleloader licenses are by draw only in Colorado. Muzzleloader hunters will need 2-3 preference points to draw a bull tag (statewide) while cow licenses can usually be drawn with zero points or as your second choice on the application.

SEPTEMBER ARCHERY OR MUZZLELOADER ELK HUNTS: $2950 per person, fully guided

We will have four separate guided archery hunts for elk and deer in 2009 and offer a guided muzzleloader hunt. These hunts will be conducted from our high country pack-in tent camps. Camps are limited to four hunters maximum with a 2X1 hunter to guide ratio. All hunts will be a seven day trip with five full days of hunting. These are wonderful pack-in horse hunts in a high mountain basin. Hunting the mid to late part of the elk season will give us the best opportunity to work bulls as they should be in the rut and moving with groups of cows. We will hunt spot and stalk, as well as setting up early and late in the day on wallows. We will use bugles and cow calls to try to bring the elk in close. Archery bull elk licenses are available over the counter and deer licenses are by draw only. All muzzleloader licenses are by draw.

Hunt dates are as follows:

Archery season: August 28 to September 26, 2010. Flexible hunt dates.
Muzzleloader season: September 11 to 19

PRIVATE LAND ELK HUNTS: $2000 to $4900 per person, Fully guided

We operate all our hunts from our base location in north end of the San Luis Valley. Each year we work with local ranches and landowners to secure a varitey of elk license vouchers. We even have some elk hunts that allow the harvesting of bull elk in the summer months when the animals will still be in velvet. We have had very high success in 2009, but it is not a "guaranteed hunt" as some outfitters offer. These are fair chase hunts (no high fences)on large private acreages.

Hunt dates are July 15 to December 31, 2010.

• Cow elk: $1500 (scheduled anytime through the end of 2010)
• Bull elk velvet hunt July 15 to July 31: $4500 any bull
• Bull elk up to 300 inches: $3900 Scheduled September 1 to December 31
• Bull elk over 300 inches: $4900

RIFLE ELK/DEER HUNTS: $3500 per person, fully guided

We operate two fully guided camps on the National Forest in Unit 681 for rifle hunts and you can hunt mule deer at no additional charge. Camp size is small with 2-4 hunters maximum and we have a 2X1 guide to hunter ratio. All trips are seven days in length and include five full days of hunting with pack days on either end. Our pack trip takes 3-4 hours so if we pack in during the season we will usually be in camp by noon giving you an additional 1/2 day of hunting, and of course we just might spot some animals on the ride up the hill. Generally for 4th rifle season we expect snow, so we hunt from the ranch so a pack trip is often not necessary.

Hunt dates are as follows:

• Hunt #1: October 16 to 20 (1st rifle/elk only by draw)
• Hunt #2: October 23 to 31 (2nd rifle season)
• Hunt #3: November 6 to 14 (3rd rifle season)
• Hunt #4: November 17 to 21 4th season/elk only by draw)

LATE SEASON UNIT 681 COW ELK HUNTS: $2000 per person, fully guided

In past years these hunts have been very successful. Depending on weather conditions we can spot elk then stalk close enough for a clean shot, or we may ride horses up into the mountains. Licenses are by draw only. Please plan on arriving here on Sunday afternoon the day before your hunt begins.

Hunt dates are as follows:

• Hunt #9: December 1-5
• Hunt #10: December 7-11
• Hunt #11: December 13-17

ANTELOPE HUNTS: $2000 per person, fully guided, (5 days of hunting)

Archery antelope hunts take place during late August and September while the rifle season begins in early October. For archery hunts we will primarily hunt from blinds which we set along fence lines where the antelope naturally cross during the day as they move between the alfalfa fields. Rifle hunts involve more spot and stalk tactics. Preference points are necessary to draw licenses, but if you contact us early in the year we may be able to secure a guaranteed land owner sponsored license for you. All hunts are fully guided and include five days of hunting. After you secure your license we will set dates for your hunt.

SELF GUIDED HUNTS/Per Person: Archery $1000 per person, Rifle $1500 (Cabin or 4WD Camp)

Self guided hunts are $1000 per person for archery season and $1500 for rifle. We host up to four hunters in a drop camp. If you are a single hunter or smaller group we will attempt to match you with other hunters to herlp fill the camp. You need only bring your personal gear and food. Please see the "Self Guided Hunts" page for complete information.