A Successful Hunt isn't All About the Trophy
We believe that a trophy is not just a measurement but any elk you harvest during a hunt that is filled with laughter, happiness, and in the company of friends and family while enjoying the great outdoors. Success sometimes can not be measured or weighed but yet leaves a lasting image in your mind of great hunt that resulted in lasting friendships and memories. Our clients will tell you the same.
At Swaggy’s our guides are not just guides, but successful elk hunters with track records of continued success both archery and rifle hunting. Our guides all have at least ten years in the field experience and have successfully entered Pope and Young Trophy elk into the record books. Our success rate for elk approaches 95% and while we can not guarantee you an elk, we will guarantee you we will put you in the elk day after day and in a position for a successful shot.
Our elk hunts take place in several types of terrain ranging from 5000’ in elevation up to 10,000’ in elevation and encompass multiple types of habitat including, grassland, pinion juniper, scrub oak, and pine forests.
During our archery hunts, which typically take place during the rut in September, we will use calls to locate bugling bulls before light and then either try to draw a bull in by cow calling or sneak in for a shot on an unsuspecting herd bull. Our tactics change and sometimes we find ourselves hunting out of a ground blind within shooting distance of major elk corridors and water holes. In the past we have also successfully used tree stands above water holes and major game trails. Our guides are the best at determining what tactics to use and when to help increase your odds of success.
 We recommend hunters pursuing elk with a bow and arrow be able to shoot very well at 40 yards and practice, practice, practice. We recommend fixed blade broadheads with a weight of 100 to 125 grains. Expandable broadheads are accepted and we have had several clients be successful with them. Your bow should have a draw weight of no less than 50lbs. Shots are sometimes up close and personal so be prepared to shoot at distances measured in feet and not yards.
Rifle hunters should be shooting a caliber that is comfortable and capable of reaching distances out to 300 yards. We recommend scoped rifles in calibers no less than a .270 Winchester. When you are sighting in make sure your gun is zeroed at 200 yards. This allows most elk calibers to shoot out to 300 yards without having to compensate for drop. Again, practice is a key ingredient to your success and we advise you spend time at the range shooting and getting to know your rifle. Bullet types we advise to use are the premium lines of ammo due to the size and toughness of mature elk in a weight no less than 150 grains. Some of our personal favorites are Nosler Partitions, Barnes X, Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, and Failsafes.
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