Elk Hunting in the Rocky Mountains

 

Learn From the Mountains: Rocky Mountain Elk

The Lakota consider the rocks holy because of their age and wisdom. Aldo Leopold wrote to “think like a mountain,” recognizing the patience of such objects. 

The Rocky Mountains fill us with wisdom and humility. Join Sacred Hunting men on the hunt for one of the most challenging and gratifying hunts in all of North America – Elk.

Meet Your Guides

Matt Kinneberg

Matt has been hunting for elk with his family since he was a boy. Living in Colorado for his adult life has given him the perfect proximity to keep his native heritage alive. He hunts in the way of his ancestors, the Navajo, honoring the “beauty way” with reverence and respect. As a former Marine, he is a weapons, land navigation, and backcountry expert.

Nathan Smith

Nathan is a hunter and outdoorsman with an incredible host of skills. He is a culinarily trained chef who knows how to honor the animal to share with others once it's been killed. As a movement expert, he adds intentionality to every step of the hunt. He brings a level of preparedness that few guides provide.

Jose Stradley

Jose is an avid hunter from Wyoming who has enjoyed the hunt since childhood. He brings a depth of knowledge and experience hunting elk and deer in the Rocky Mountains.

Hunt Details:

What: Hunting Elk

When: October 13-18, 2024 and November 10-15, 2024

Where: Denver, Colorado

Cost: We'll discuss on our call + Colorado hunting license. This will be a camping trip. **Payment plans available.**

Available Spots: 4 spots per hunt - both events are now SOLD OUT!

Elk in the Rockies

Every tribe in the Rocky Mountains hunted for elk. The Shawnee tribe called the elk “wapiti”, literally “white rump”. The Lakota, Cheyenne, Utes, Arapaho, Crow – all tribes of the Rockies benefited from the nourishment and warmth of these creatures.

To hunt for elk in the mountains is a rite of passage for any hunter. It is a romantic, beloved, and effortful pursuit of a majestic animal and icon of the Rockies.

Each of our Sacred Hunting elk hunts includes the connection-oriented and ceremonial components of our Beginner Immersions with additional physical rigor and challenge.



Watch our short documentary on Elk Hunting

Hear more stories of transformation

Itinerary

  • Meet in Denver, CO and depart to camp
  • Set up camp & opening circle
  • 5 AM: Wake up & hunt all day
  • 5 AM Wake up & hunt
  • PM: Departure back to Denver, CO

FAQs - Rocky Mountain Elk Hunt

Hunting in the mountains, especially on public land, is much harder than other hunts. Some areas have 5-10% success rate. This is a group hunt where each attendee will work as part of the collective and support the group endeavor.

Any meat will be taken to a processor for grinding and vacuum sealing. Attendees will pay for meat processing and shipping after a total has been compiled for the group. In particularly abundant years, meat processing might be done by the collective and then taken home frozen in a cooler. Exact plan TBD on the number of animals killed by the group.

Any participant is free to choose, but we highly recommend beginners start with a rifle. It is both easier to have the 0 to 1 experience of taking a life and it is also more ethical to have a quick, clean kill for the sake of the animal.

Yes, you may receive a refund if a replacement is found > 60 days before the event.

You may roll over to a new date for a fee of $500 between 60 and 30 days before the event.

You may roll over to a new date for a fee of $1600 within 30 days of the event (at the discretion of leadership).

We always try to entertain kind and creative solutions that will work for everyone. 

Given there are only 4 spots per Elk Hunting event and many people prepare for months in advance, it is challenging to refill empty spots. This is why our policy is strictly enforced with kind exceptions.

Please be as sure of your commitment as possible beforehand.

Very rarely, an attendee that does not exhibit community-oriented behavior may be asked to leave/not attend an experience. This may be due to mental health concerns, violence, aggression or any behavior that may be a harm to other participants. This decision is at the discretion of staff members (and requires every staff member to agree to ensure it is a valid concern). Repayment or refunds will be handled on a case-by-case basis, but often not offered.

 

Elk Hunt experiences do not include any power plant ceremonies. Check out our Hawaii/ Molokai Immersion if you are interested in an experience that incorporates both ceremony and hunting.

Join The Tribe Today.

Every man deserves this rite of passage. If you feel ready for the time and monetary investment, sign up to see if you're a fit.

Close

50% Complete

Complete your sign up to gain access to our 22 Step Beginner Checklist to begin hunting