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2025 Elk Hunts Available Now + How to Plan for 2026

Travis Baker
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Whether it’s your first elk hunt or your tenth, the excitement never fades. The Rocky Mountain elk is one of the most iconic big game animals in North America, and it’s also the most requested hunt at Worldwide Trophy Adventures. Once you experience it, you’ll understand why hunters return year after year, often trying a new state, weapon, or style of hunt.

There’s no shortage of options. Public land DIY adventures. Wilderness horseback hunts deep in the backcountry. Private land hunts with strong success rates and comfortable lodging. You’ll find everything from rustic tent camps to deluxe lodges with gourmet meals. Some hunts require drawing a tag through a state lottery, while others include guaranteed landowner vouchers. Whatever your preferences or goals, there’s a hunt to match.

A lot has changed in the elk hunting world in recent years, especially since COVID. Non-resident tags have become harder to draw, and prices have risen with increased demand. Landowner tags and outfitted hunts are more competitive than ever. The good news is that pricing is finally beginning to level off—but the most sought-after trophy hunts still book out a year or two in advance. If you’re aiming for a top-end hunt, early planning is critical.

If you’re eager to hunt elk soon, we offer several excellent options in New Mexico and Utah that come with guaranteed tags. These hunts deliver strong success rates and great trophy potential but typically come with a higher price tag. For those looking for value, certain units in Colorado still offer 100% draw odds for non-residents due to the abundance of private land. While elk in these areas may not be the largest, they are plentiful and provide a great opportunity for an affordable western hunt—just be sure to apply before the April deadline.

WTA also has a handful of elk hunts currently on sale. These are perfect for those looking to experience a great hunt and save in the process. Quantities are limited, and these specials tend to go fast, so don’t wait.

If you’re serious about elk hunting long-term, we strongly recommend building preference and bonus points in key states like Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. These systems reward planning ahead, and more states are moving in this direction. Falling behind can make it harder to draw quality tags in the future, so now is the time to get started.

At WTA, we’re here to help you find the right hunt for your goals and budget. Our expert consultants are constantly researching new opportunities and working closely with trusted outfitters. Whether you’re after a fully guided experience or something more rugged and remote, we’ll match you with the right option.

Hunting demand across the U.S. is as high as we’ve ever seen it. If elk hunting is on your radar for 2026, it’s not too early to start planning.

Give us a call today to talk with a consultant and get your elk hunt in motion. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll do the rest. We’ve done the research and will help you plan and prepare for the elk hunt of a lifetime.

And if you’re still looking for something for this Fall (2025), it’s not too late. Be sure to check our Outfitter Specials and Cancellations for remaining opportunities.

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Estate Hunting: A Closer Look at a Misunderstood Hunting Option

Estate Hunting: A Closer Look at a Misunderstood Hunting Option

Estate hunting, often referred to as high fence hunting, is one of the most misunderstood segments of the modern hunting landscape. The term can carry strong assumptions, but those assumptions rarely reflect the reality of what these hunts actually involve.

At its core, estate hunting offers hunters access to large, privately managed properties where wildlife is carefully stewarded, and hunting opportunities are predictable, efficient, and highly successful. These hunts are not intended to replace traditional public-land or limited-entry experiences. They are meant to provide an alternative option for hunters with specific goals, time constraints, or physical considerations.

Understanding estate hunting begins with recognizing how the properties operate and what the experience looks like on the ground.

What Defines an Estate Hunt?​

Estate hunts take place on privately owned ranches or preserves enclosed by a perimeter fence. These properties can range from several thousand acres to well over 100,000 acres, depending on location, species, and management model.

Within these boundaries, wildlife populations are actively managed year-round. Landowners and outfitters focus on habitat improvement, water development, herd health, genetics, and balanced harvest rates. The result is a stable wildlife population with a strong age structure and consistent hunting opportunity.

Because animals remain on the property, outfitters can offer hunts with a very high harvest probability. In many cases, hunters can pursue specific age classes, horn characteristics, or species that would otherwise require years of applying or limited-entry permits.

What the Experience Is Actually Like

One of the most common misconceptions about estate hunting is that animals are easily located and harvested quickly in a confined space. In reality, many estate properties are vast, and hunters may never see the perimeter fence during their hunt.

These ranches often feature diverse terrain of rolling hills, timber, brush country, open plains, canyons, and river bottoms, allowing animals to behave naturally. Hunters glass, stalk, track, and pass animals just as they would on large private ranches or expansive Western properties.

Once on the ground, the hunt feels far more like a traditional spot-and-stalk or guided private land experience than what many imagine when they hear the term “high fence.”

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