Post Permit Drawing Options for North American Hunts: Part III

Though hunting season is near, you can still find high-quality, last-minute hunts in North America through reputable booking agents, some at discounted prices, some offered by outfitters normally booked several years ahead. Here are some interesting hunts I found for the last installment of my series on last-minute, post-draw opportunities. Act quickly as time is short . . . Ed Beattie, Manager of Cabela's Outdoor Adventures (800-346-8747; www.cabelasoutdooradventures.com), and four consultants in his office gave me their best picks. Beattie selected a southwestern Colorado hunt in Garfield County, one of the best trophy mule deer areas in North America. Mule deer nuts know Garfield County's reputation for producing outstanding bucks. This outfit has over 300 square miles of quality habitat; his clients are looking for bucks scoring 180 points or higher. Every year this outfitter produces some bucks exceeding the 200-point mark, including a 220-plus buck taken by a 72-year-old client! This ranch has a beautiful lodge, but clients normally stay in isolated, comfortable cabins, close to the best hunting, but far from other hunters. Normally, it's two hunters per camp and no more than four on the entire ranch at the same time. This $10,500 hunt includes a guaranteed landowner voucher, but you will have to purchase a $334 deer license. All guiding is 1x1 for a full five days starting on October 26. Clients typically fly into Grand Junction, Colorado, where they are met. Each camp is served by a professional chef. Cabela's Consultant Travis Baker recommended a Dall sheep hunt on horseback in Alaska's Brooks Range. This is a sheep hunt that older clients can still enjoy. The Master Guide operating this hunt has been in the business for over three decades and in this area for over 20 years. Camp is 130 miles north of the Artic Circle, and the area abounds with sheep, moose and grizzlies. Baker went so far as to say that anyone in good physical shape will have plenty of opportunities at rams; hunter success has been almost 100 percent. This outfitter takes a limited number of hunters each season to limit harvest and provide chances for an older........(continued)