Is a Late Season Cow Elk Hunt Right for You?

We love the excitement of hunting bugling bull elk with a bow in September. And there’s something cool about hunting lone bulls after the rut during the rifle seasons in late October and November with some fresh snow on the ground (hopefully!). One hunt that may be easy to overlook but certainly has its own unique rewards, is a late season cow elk hunt.

Our business at Dark Timber Lodge focuses on the archery, muzzleloader and mid-season rifle hunts, primarily for bull elk. Meanwhile, our Timber to Table Guide Service is geared specifically toward those late-season cow elk hunting opportunities.

These late season trips for cow elk offer an experience that’s a bit different from the typical guided elk hunt. While they are not antler focused, the value for many hunters is the opportunity to come away with a newfound set of skills and knowledge.

The Timber to Table Program 

Elk hunting isn’t the easiest sport to break into. The goal of Timber to Table Guide Service is opening more opportunities to youth, women and, in general, new hunters who are wanting to get familiar with elk hunting. These late season hunts are not necessarily easy, but they do offer more opportunity without the pressure associated with the antlered seasons.

The Full Learning Experience

Beginning hunters have the opportunity to learn how to find game, stalk and make a clean shot to harvest an animal. Learning this process alongside an experienced guide significantly reduces the learning curve while teaching the nuances of ethical hunting. Whether they call home the Front Range of Colorado or the Ohio River Valley country of the Midwest, our hope is to introduce new hunters to the sport with a great experience that they'll carry forward as they become lifelong, conservation-minded hunters.

After the Shot 

Most guided elk hunts send hunters home with an unprocessed carcass. However, the program at Timber to Table includes what happens after the shot. If an elk is harvested, the late season hunts continue the educational process with hands-on field dressing. This is often a daunting task, especially with an animal as large as an elk. Breaking it down into steps with experienced hands guiding the process makes a big difference while increasing confidence.

After the field dressing is done, the animal moves to the butchering table which acts like a classroom for learning the different cuts and working through the finer points of trimming and processing. After everything is complete and wrapped, it goes home to your freezer.

This start-to-finish instruction on a real live hunt is pretty rare, especially for western elk hunters. It’s truly one of the more unique and satisfying opportunities out there for newer hunters and anyone looking to harvest some of the best meat available.

Contact Us With Questions

For more information, check out our Timber to Table website. For details or specific availability, please feel free to contact us. Whether it’s a bull elk hunt or a late-season cow elk hunt, we’d love to help you plan a memorable Colorado adventure!