Rifle season in this country is a different game. You’re often shooting across canyons, dealing with wind, steep angles, and big-bodied elk. The goal is simple: show up with a setup that’s built to penetrate, built to pack, and built to stay ethical when the shot stretches out.

Recommended (What We Want You Showing Up With)

• Heavy, penetrating bullets designed for thick-boned animals
  No ballistic tips.

• A lighter rifle (best for packing long distances into the mountains)

• Gun cover to protect your rifle in rough weather and terrain
  What we use: Solo Hunter Brand

Remember (Reality in This Country)

• The average shot here is 300–500 yards across a canyon.
  We’ll work hard to get you closer, but you should be comfortable at 300 yards minimum.
  Being capable beyond that can improve your odds of tagging a bull.

• Our guides will make sure your rifle setup and caliber/bullets are capable of the distance if the situation calls for it.

• Our elk are crossed with Roosevelt elk, and can weigh upwards of 800 lbs.

• Foot-pounds of energy should far exceed the weight of the animal. (Bring enough gun.)

Ethics + Caliber Reality Check

Long-range shooting done unethically gives it a bad name. If you’re going to shoot at distance, make sure your caliber is meant for it.

• 6.5 Creedmoor is meant for target practice and is not a good choice for shooting elk in this country at distance.

Calibers We Recommend

• 300 Short Mag

• 7mm

• 28 Nosler

• 6.5 SAUM

• 7 PRC

• .338

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