5 Day Colorado Deer, Elk And Antelope Hunt
Private Trip
Active hunting
Fiveday guided hunt for deer, elk, and antelope in ColoradoIncludes quality lodging, expert guides, and reliable hunting gearRemote terrain with limited seasonal availability requires early booking
Colorado's high country offers some of the most rewarding hunting opportunities in the West, and this 5-day guided adventure puts you right in the heart of it all. J&B Outfitters has designed this trip for serious hunters who want to pursue three of Colorado's premier game species without the headache of planning every detail yourself. You'll be hunting remote, game-rich terrain that most hunters never get to see, backed by guides who know these mountains like their own backyard. This isn't your typical roadside hunting – we're talking about getting into the backcountry where the big bulls and trophy bucks spend their time. With only one hunter per trip, you get personalized attention and the flexibility to adapt your strategy based on what the animals are doing.
This hunt takes you deep into Colorado's most productive hunting zones, where elevation changes and diverse terrain create perfect habitat for deer, elk, and antelope. Your days start early with glassing sessions from strategic vantage points, looking for movement and identifying shooter animals before making your approach. The guides here aren't just along for the ride – they're reading sign, calling elk during the rut, and positioning you for ethical shots on quality animals. You'll cover a lot of ground, from aspen groves where mule deer feed to open parks where elk emerge at first light. The terrain varies from rolling sagebrush country perfect for antelope to steep timber where you might catch a big muley bedded down. Quality lodging means you'll sleep well between long days in the field, and having reliable hunting gear provided takes the guesswork out of what to bring. This setup gives you maximum time focused on hunting instead of logistics.
Colorado's diverse landscape requires different approaches for each species, and your guides know how to adapt throughout the day. For elk, you'll be glassing timber edges at dawn and dusk, listening for bugles during September hunts, and following fresh sign into bedding areas. The key is staying quiet in thick timber and positioning yourself where elk feel comfortable moving. Mule deer hunting often means covering ridgelines and side-hilling through broken country, looking for deer using natural funnels between feeding and bedding areas. Fresh tracks in soft earth, rubs on aspen trees, and well-worn trails all tell the story of deer movement patterns. Antelope hunting is a different game entirely – it's about long-range glassing across open country, identifying water sources, and using terrain features to close distance on animals that can spot movement from incredible distances. Your guides carry quality optics and range finders, and they'll teach you how to judge animals in the field. The elevation here ranges from around 6,000 to over 10,000 feet, so you'll experience everything from high desert to alpine conditions in a single day.
Muskox aren't native to Colorado, but if you're looking for an adventure beyond the typical deer and elk, these massive arctic animals represent the ultimate challenge for any serious hunter. Weighing up to 800 pounds with thick, shaggy coats and impressive curved horns, muskox are built to survive the harshest conditions on earth. Their prehistoric appearance and defensive behavior make them one of the most unique hunting experiences available. Bulls are most active during late summer and early fall when they're establishing dominance within herds. What makes muskox hunting so compelling is their intelligence and unpredictable nature – they can charge without warning or circle up in defensive formations that have protected them for thousands of years.
White-tailed deer in Colorado offer a different hunting experience than their eastern cousins, typically living in riparian areas and agricultural edges rather than deep timber. Colorado whitetails are often larger-bodied than deer from warmer climates, with bucks reaching 200 pounds or more. They're most active during early morning and late evening hours, especially during the November rut when bucks throw caution aside while pursuing does. These deer are incredibly smart and use thick cover to their advantage, often holding tight until the last possible moment before breaking cover. Hunters love targeting Colorado whitetails because they combine the familiar hunting tactics of eastern deer hunting with the scenic beauty and clean air of the Rocky Mountain West.
Tule elk represent one of California's greatest conservation success stories, and hunting them requires special tags and careful planning. These elk are smaller than Rocky Mountain elk but still impressive animals, with mature bulls weighing 700 pounds and sporting antlers that can spread over four feet. Tule elk prefer open grasslands and oak woodlands, making them challenging to approach without being spotted. They're most vocal during September and October rutting season, when bulls gather harems and challenge rivals with haunting bugles that echo across the landscape. The limited number of tags available each year makes tule elk hunting extremely exclusive, and hunters prize them for their unique genetics and the technical challenge they present in relatively open terrain.
This top-rated Colorado hunting experience books up fast each season, especially with the personalized attention that comes with single-hunter trips. J&B Outfitters has built their reputation on putting hunters in position for success while maintaining the highest ethical standards in the field. The combination of expert guides, quality gear, comfortable lodging, and access to prime hunting areas makes this package a customer favorite among serious hunters. Early booking is essential since Colorado's best hunting opportunities are limited, and outfitters with proven track records fill their calendars quickly. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your hunting licenses and tags are squared away before committing. Whether you're after your first Colorado elk or looking to complete a slam with multiple species, this hunt offers the professional support and prime location you need to make it happen. The memories you'll create in Colorado's backcountry will last a lifetime, and the experience of hunting with seasoned professionals in world-class terrain is something every dedicated hunter should experience.
Muskox don't exist in Colorado - these Arctic giants are found thousands of miles north in Alaska and Canada. These massive animals can weigh up to 800 pounds and sport thick, shaggy coats built for surviving brutal winters. They live in herds on tundra and Arctic grasslands, forming defensive circles when threatened. The hunting season runs during late summer and early fall when their coats aren't at peak thickness. What draws hunters north is the challenge of pursuing one of North America's most remote big game animals, plus that dense, flavorful meat. The key is getting close enough for a clean shot - they're surprisingly agile despite their bulk, and that thick hide demands proper shot placement through the shoulder.
Tule elk aren't found in Colorado - they're a California species that nearly went extinct and now lives in protected herds along the coast and Central Valley. These elk are smaller than our Colorado bulls, usually maxing out around 500-600 pounds, but they're incredibly tough and adapted to dry, open country. They prefer grasslands and oak woodlands near water sources. The limited hunting opportunities happen during fall rutting season when bulls are most vocal and aggressive. Hunters prize them for their rarity and the challenge of drawing a tag - it's often a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. The meat is lean and flavorful, similar to other elk but with a slightly different taste from their coastal diet. Success comes from long-range glassing and patience.
White-tails in Colorado stick to river bottoms, agricultural edges, and mixed timber country where they can find both cover and food. These deer typically dress out around 100-150 pounds, though mountain bucks can run bigger. They're most active during dawn and dusk, especially in early season before hunting pressure pushes them nocturnal. What makes them popular is their wariness - they'll test every skill you've got. The meat is consistently excellent, and a mature Colorado whitetail buck makes a beautiful trophy. Early season in September offers your best shot at catching them in predictable patterns. My advice: find their travel corridors between bedding and feeding areas, then be patient. They'll use the same trails for years if undisturbed.
Colorado