Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
- How do I book an hunt a Colorado hunt?
- What type of hunt is right for me ?
- Why should we book with Action Adventures ?
- When are deposits due?
- How do I obtain a Colorado Hunting License?
- Do you have any references?
- What can I expect on my hunt?
- What is expected of me?
- Is there a limit on how much I can bring on a pack-in hunt?
- Do I need special hunting gear ?
- What type of weather and temperatures can I expect ?
- Exactly what is a private land drop camp?
- What is an outfitted hunt?
- Then what is a fully guided hunt ?
- How are my days spent once I arrive?
- I haven't found the answer to my question.
How do I book a hunt?
We only accept reservations over the phone. First we discuss your expectations and then we find the trip that will best meet your goals. Due to the limited amount of hunters we take each year, and a high clientele return, early booking is a must. If you are interested in a trip for the current year we require a 50% deposit (you can make this in a couple of payments). If you are planning a trip for the future we only require a 10% deposit. We also accept Visa/MC. Call us toll free for available openings 1-800-383-1888.
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When are deposits due?
A 50% deposit is due upon booking your hunt. We take Visa or MasterCard or you can simply mail us a check. You can make your deposit in scheduled payments if you like. If you are booking a hunt for next year or beyond we only require a 10% deposit to hold your hunt, with a remaining deposit of 40% due in January of the year you plan to hunt. Final payments are not due until you arrive.
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How do I obtain a Colorado hunting license?
We take all the hassle out of obtaining your Colorado hunting license. Colorado licensing can be a complicated procedure, but we make it easy for you. Well before license applications are due you will receive a simple form to fill out, with all your pertinent information. We take care of the rest! We proof check your application and deliver it to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Please note not all licenses are by drawing. Several can be purchased over the counter. You will know in advance of booking your hunt, which type of license will be required.
LICENSE FEES
ELK $ 501 (drawing $504)
COW ELK $251
MULE DEER $301
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Do you have any references ?
Yes, we have nationwide references. We do, however, respect the privacy of our clients, and do not post their names, phone numbers or email address on our website. We will gladly supply references upon request. Please call toll us free at 1-800-383-1888.
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What can I expect on my hunt ?
You can expect all the prompt courteous professional service that
you would from any other quality client-customer relationship. We
strive for complete customer satisfaction. Many years of being in
this business have provided me the unique opportunity to solve most
problems before they develop. From time to time conditions come up
that are beyond anyone’s control, these are few and far between. You
as our client will always be our main concern.
I run all the guided hunts myself, and actually may be your guide.
Meals are all home cooked and served family style, no expense is
spared for your comfort and satisfaction. We take our obligation as
your wilderness host very seriously. We leave camp well before
sunrise to insure that we are in place before sunrise and we are not
back in until the day is done. We use many different tactics during
our elk and deer hunts. Your day may find you glassing and then
stalking from a distant ridge to bugling at lovesick bull, in one of
the many secluded basins. The most will be made of the time you
spend with us. You will definitely know that you are on a quality
elk hunt. Hunt descriptions can be found at
Rifle
hunts,
Bow hunts,
Blackpowder hunts, and
Timberline mule deer.
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What is expected of me ?
This is your hunt! You are paying the money so why not get the
most out of it. Our motto is “where preparation and opportunity
meet”. This is our definition of luck. We believe in luck and the
harder you work the luckier you get. It’s hard to just show up for a
western hunt and be successful. You will need to get ready, and the
more you do the better off you will be. Let's face it. The
anticipation and preparation are half the fun of going on western
hunts.
A good place to start is by walking, and then proceeding to walk
uphill and climb stairs. The air is thin out here and the better
cardiovascular shape you are in the less you will notice it. I have
watched many a bull elk walk over the ridge out of range because
someone didn’t get in shape. Our guides are not here to race you up
the mountain but, your hunt could hinge on whether you were prepared
or just showed up. You will need to become competent with your
weapon, be it a rifle, muzzleloader or bow. Believe it or not we
have had clients pull their gun out of the box at the trail head
brand spanking new, never fired.
If you are scheduled for a wilderness hunt, you should try to find a
stable and do some riding. It will loosen up muscles that you don’t
regularly use, and will add a lot to your overall comfort and
confidence with your mount. We will be updating our
rifle
checklist and
bowhunters checklist with more suggestions. If you have any
questions please feel free to call us toll free at
1-800-383-1888.
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Is there a limit on how much I can bring on a pack-in hunt ?
Yes! You are limited to 1 army style duffle bag not weighing more than 50lbs., a sleeping bag, and your weapon. When preparing for a wilderness hunt you should look at your gear and bag and visualize that this is going on a horse and not in the back of a pick-up truck. Suggestion can be found at rifle checklist and bowhunting checklist.
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What type of hunt is right for me ?
We are continually modifying our hunts to meet the demands of our
discriminating clientele.
The bowhunter or blackpowder hunter has 2 choices:
1. A fully guided hunt - this hunt is wilderness pack-in; all meals,
lodging, and guide for every 2 hunters is provided.
2. An outfitted hunt - this hunt we provide meals, lodging and 1
guide in camp to familiarize you with the area and help pack out
your harvested game.
The rifle and hunter has 3 choices:
1. Fully guided wilderness pack-in - this hunt is by horse back, all
meals, lodging, and guide for every 2 hunters is provided. This is a
demanding hunt.
2. Fully guided private land hunt - we hunt by horseback and or 4WD,
all meals, lodging, and 1 guide for every 2 hunters. This hunt is
less demanding
3. Wilderness pack-in drop camp - this is a complete do-it-yourself
hunt. You bring your own groceries, and you hunt on your own.
More information on these hunts can be found on our
Hunting
Home,
Rifle
Hunting,
Bowhunting
and
Blackpowder hunting pages.
More questions call us toll free at 1-800-383-1888
Why should I book a hunt with Action Adventures ?
Action Adventures Guide Outfitter is a long established full time outfitting business located in Montrose Colorado. We have been providing quality trips for 20 years and we are here to stay. I am a 4th generation Western Colorado native. I live and raise my family here on the north end of the famous San Juan Mountains. This allows me constant access to the game that inhabits this vast beautiful country. We have been in business for 2 decades. This has allowed us to accumulate the assets required to insure you have a successful hunt. We are not a fly by night or part time outfitter. Many things go into making a quality outfit, they cannot be bought, and they have to be tested by time. Our commitment and tenure in the outfitting business is one of our greatest advantages.
We hope to have an opportunity to take you on one of our hunts in the near future. More information can be found on this topic at our Action Advantage and Testimonial pages.
Do I need special hunting gear?
What did we do before Gore-Tex, Scent Shield, Dry Plus, and Wind
Stopper? We hunted! Just a lot wetter and colder. I personally
like wool; it makes up most of my hunting clothes. I carry a
Gore-Tex Rain Suit during the warmer seasons, and will wear cotton
if it is extremely warm. Toward the end of September I will add a
wool sweater. I learned a long time ago, if your feet and hands are
cold, to put on a warm hat. I personally don’t like stocking type
hats; you really need a visor to keep the sun out of your eyes. Bow
hunters can get by with lighter clothing, but need to be warm enough
to sit still while waiting for that big bull. Layers are the key. I
recommend long underwear, camos, a sweater and then a Gore-Tex outer
layer for when it cools off and to cut the wind or rain. There are
many good manufacturers of quiet hunting clothes. The most important
thing is does it stay quiet and pliable when it is cold? Rifle
hunters should add a heavy coat and snow packs to this list. Rifle
hunters and blackpowder hunters are required to wear 500 square
inches of florescent orange. A good pair of binoculars is one of the
most important items you can have on a western hunt. It is a lot
more enjoyable if you can glass right along with your guide. If I
had to cut costs somewhere it would not be in the optics department.
You can find more info at our
Rifle hunting
checklist and
Bowhunting
checklist. Need more info call us at 1-800-383-1888.
What type of weather and temperatures can I expect?
The weather in the high country of Colorado is extremely unpredictable. It is said if you don’t like the weather in Colorado just wait 15 minutes it will change. Early season bowhunters can expect cool mornings and evenings with mild day time temperatures. As the season moves into mid September any thing can happen from record breaking high temperatures to snow. You really need a seasoned guide when the weather becomes hot and dry. We use different tactics suited to almost any kind of weather. When late September rolls around it is generally freezing at night, which makes for chilly rides in the mornings and evenings. The cool weather also sets those lovesick bulls to bugling. You can usually expect a little snow this time of the year; that will only stay around for a day or 2.
In October rifle hunters will encounter freezing night time temperatures, with cool to mild days. Snow is usually at least visible on north slopes and in timbered pockets. One out of every 3 to 4 years we will have considerable snow cover. With each passing day the chance of considerable snowfall becomes greater. As we move into November the temps are much cooler and the days shorter. This is when we do our private land hunts. Good snows and cold temps lead to one thing, big bulls. Night time temps are well below freezing, but the days can still be mild.
Exactly what is a private land drop camp?
Our premier do-it-yourself hunt. A great hunt for the seasoned Colorado Elk and Mule Deer hunter or for the budget minded that want a great hunting opportunity. This ranch offers access to a remote road less area of National Forest and it also adjoins an equally remote section of a Colorado State Wildlife Area. This hunt offers a great opportunity for the self guided hunter to get away from the crowds and into a very game rich area. It is a self guided hunt where you bring your own groceries and do your own cooking. We supply the ranch, a comfortable cabin and we familiarize you with the area. Then you are your own. This is a one of the best hunts for the money. More info can be found on our Rifle hunting and Bowhunting pages.
This is a hunt that we developed just for bowhunters and muzzleloaders. It is exactly what it says it is. We outfit you with a camp, cook, and a guide to familiarize you with the area. You hunt on your own. While it does have all the amenities of a guided hunt it is still a far cry from a drop camp. No cooking, camp chores, or scouting! We take care of all that. You just concentrate on bagging that big bull. More info can be found on our bowhunting page.
Then what is a fully guided hunt ?
These are our ultimate hunts. We spare no expense to create a great hunting opportunity. Great care is taken to see that your hunt is a success. It is the most comfortable wilderness camp available anywhere from the best home cooked meals to the well conditioned and expertly trained stock. . All of our equipment is constantly maintained and tested to meet the rigors of a wilderness setting. Guides and wranglers are expertly trained and ready to help you have that hunt of a lifetime. More info can be found at; Hunting Home, Rifle Elk Hunts, Bowhunts, Blackpowder Hunts, Timberline Mule Deer. Or call us at 1-800-383-1888.
How are my days spent once I arrive?
We realize that you are here for just a short time and we want to make the most of it. Our days start early. Breakfast is usually at least 2 hours before daylight, and a hot dinner waiting for you when you arrive back at camp. Lunch is usually on the side of a mountain somewhere glassing a distant ridge. Better yet, sitting next to that big bull you took that morning, waiting for the pack mules to come. Each day is different; one day may find you stalking a big bull at day break, the next, coaxing a herd bull out of the timber with a cow call. We always try to make the most of your stay with us. More info can be found our Action Advantage, Client testimonial and Hunting Home pages, or by calling me at 1-800-383-1888.