Hunting Adventures
Guided Archery and Rifle Hunts
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Welder Ranch and Outfitting Services, LLC Celebrating 35 years as Colorado’s backcountry specialist.
Please Call Shawn or use our Contact Form to ask specific questions.
Hi Shawn. I wanted to say thanks for a fabulous hunt and an even better experience. ALL of your team members were extra helpful and focused on creating a great experience, from the corral to camp thru pack out. We admires them all. Thank you for exceeding all expectations. It could not have been better. Regards, Barry
For the 2026 Deer and Elk hunting seasons in western Colorado, information:
- Archery Season (Deer and Elk): September 2–30
- Muzzleloader Season (Deer and Elk): September 13–20
- Rifle Seasons:
- First Rifle Season: October 14–18 (for Elk and Bear only)
- Second Rifle Season: October 24–November 2 (for Elk, Bear, and Deer)
- Third Rifle Season: November 7–15 (for Elk, Bear, and Deer)
- Fourth Rifle Season: November 18–22 (for Elk, Bear, and Deer)
Don’t miss your chance to have an unforgettable hunting experience with Welder Ranch and Outfitting Services! Book your guided hunt soon to secure your spot and enjoy the thrill of the hunt!
Dear Big Game Hunter,
Changes the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission has made are affecting Northwest Colorado big game hunting and has led to challenges in how hunters get licenses for deer and elk, at least for one more year. The CPW Commission has made it a little more difficult for hunters to purchase licenses. A draw application is now required, but unnecessary, to purchase elk licenses for the 2nd and 3rd rifles seasons. This requirement has made hunters reluctant to hunt Colorado and give up preference points they might otherwise be saving for a archery or other hunt that requires more than one preference point to get the tag
While it’s true that all rifle seasons now require a draw, these changes actually bring good news for out-of-state hunters. The new system has resulted in fewer applicants for the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons, which means these tags are easily available for those that apply (without burning preference points). These elk tags can also easily be purchased as leftover licenses. This year there were almost 4,000 leftover licenses making the application process a bit of a hassle and waste of time.
On the White River, the elk came through another mild Winter, Fall, and early Winter in great condition. For 2025, the 12 guided archery hunters we hosted 11 took at least one or more shots at a bull elk. All 4 guided muzzle loader hunters filled their tags. Early hunting was very good! The weather rolled into a historically mild fall and the rifle seasons were very slow producing low harvest numbers.
Because it has been a record mild Fall and Winter so far, for the third year in a row, we anticipate another high recruitment rate for elk with good calf elk and fawn deer crops bringing the White River elk herd back up to historic high levels.
March is the month for submitting applications for big game hunts and we are currently taking reservations for the 2026 elk season. Please contact Shawn if we can help you explore 2026 hunting opportunities in the backcountry of the White River National Forest and Flat Top Wilderness in game management units 24 and 12.
Thanks Shawn Welder
Fall 2025
Hunting 2024
Hi Shawn,
Two Army Veterans 40 Years Later
Andy and Shawn served at Fort Stewart, Georgia Infantry division under Norman Schwarzkopf
White River National Forest – Flat Tops NW Access
Join us for Colorado’s Premier Big Game hunt!
For the past thirty-three years, the Welders have been hunting elk in the upper White River, the heart of the nation’s largest elk herd. Brian and Shawn Welder have been involved in guiding every single guided hunt that they have ever hosted for all those years. This is their life. You will find them and their team of experienced guides working hard to make sure each client has the best experience possible.
The Welders provide a western hunting experience using their horses as the main form of transportation in the backcountry. Welder Outfitting Services is based at the Welder Ranch location on the White River east of Meeker, CO.
From the ranch, the Welders outfit on over 100 sq. miles of backcountry in the White River National Forest east to Trappers Lake and on both north and south sides of the White River. This vast country offers clients a very broad range of hunting opportunities ranging from 8,000 ft elevations to 11,000 ft. We rarely encounter other hunters in this area of the Flat Tops Wilderness.
Our guided hunts never have more than twelve hunters at a time and we provide at least one experienced guide per two clients. Our guides are in very good physical condition and are prepared for the most difficult conditions. Hunters that are in good shape will have an advantage over those that are not. However, patience and determination are the best assets!
We know that our hunters come back year after year because of these great accommodations that are only minutes away from the many hunting areas that we access, and after a long hunting day, they appreciate the hot and delicious meals prepared for them!
We have always been proud of our quality at Welder Outfitting services, not the quantity of our hunters. For more than ten years the majority of our clients have been returning clients. We are also proud to have been the only outfitter in western Colorado who has donated 25 guided hunts to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation with over $75,000 being donated for elk and wildlife habitat. You can count on us at Welder Outfitting Services.
The Welders provide a western hunting experience using their horses as the main form of transportation in the backcountry. Welder Outfitting Services is based at the Welder Ranch location on the White River east of Meeker, CO.
From the ranch, the Welders outfit on over 100 sq. miles of back country in the White River National Forest east to Trappers Lake and on both north and south sides of the White River. This vast country offers clients a very broad range of hunting opportunities ranging from 8,000 ft elevations to 11,000 ft. We rarely encounter other hunters in this area of the Flat Tops Wilderness.
Our guided hunts never have more then twelve hunters at a time and we provide at least one experienced guide per two clients. Our guides are in very good physical condition and are prepared for the most difficult conditions. Hunters that are in good shape will have an advantage over those that are not. However patience and determination are the best assets!
We know that our hunters come back year after year because of these great accommodations that are only minutes away from the many hunting areas that we access, and after a long hunting day, they appreciate the hot and delicious meals prepared for them!
We have always been proud of our quality at Welder Outfitting services, not the quantity of our hunters. For more than ten years the majority of our clients have been return clients. We are also proud to have been the only outfitter in western Colorado who has donated 25 guided hunts to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation with over $75,000 being donated for elk and wildlife habitat. You can count on us at Welder Outfitting Services.
______________________________________
WELDER OUTFITTING SERVICES
FALL HUNTING PRICES FOR 2026
**** Full Service Guided hunts
Archery, Muzzle Loading, and 1st Rifle Seasons (draw hunts) $5,800/client
Guide service, good food, and lodging in an inclusive package. Hunter must apply for license. No min group size (Archery, Muzzle Loading, and 1st Rifle are 5 days of hunting. (up to seven total days) 2nd tag no charge
***Second and Third Rifle Season (over the counter licenses) $5,800/client
This inclusive package includes food and lodging. Bull licenses can be purchased over the counter without an application. No min group size.
** Fully guided hunt, one on one guide service, add $1,000, when available.
**** Guide Service, By the Day
One guide/two hunters $700/client each day
One guide/one hunter. When Available $900/client day
Additional Tag $600
Our expert guides and team provide the same backcountry guided hunt, by the day. Hunters pay for the number of days they reserve. Meals and lodging are not included. Game packing for guided clients is included in the fee.
(Two Shot Limit or additional fees apply!)
**** Back country Base Camp and packing service, $2,800/client
Price based on min group size of four. High quality fully outfitted camp, game packing, re-supply and camp support, nightly radio checks included.
** Drop Camp Service $1,850/client
Hunters bring their own camp equipment. Unlimited camp locations. Same packing service for clients, gear, and game harvested. Radio checks at night. Prices based on min 4 hunters
** Game packing $550/elk from corral. $250/hour for packing Services requiring horses to be transported or requiring more than four hours too pack out.
Welder Outfitting Services 970-314-5923
www.welderoutftters.com PO Box 823 Meeker Co 81641
2023 Gallery
Guided Full Service Hunts
Hunters that come to the Welder’s for a full-service guided hunt can be sure that we will do everything possible to make their hunt a great experience!
We work with Ute Lodge on providing cabins for our clients.
Rifle
Archery
Muzzeloading
Hunting Adventures
Pack-In Services
Base Camp Services
Drop Camps
Horseback Pack-In Services
Gallery
Deluxe base camp
Pricing List
Please make sure your reservation is in place before making ANY payment!
Guided Archery Hunt
$5,800 per person
Guided Muzzle Loading Hunt
$5,800 per person
Guided 1st Rifle Season Hunt
$5,800 per person
Guided Combination Seasons
$5,800 per person
Daily Guide Service
$700 per person/day
Base Camps - Hunting (non-guided)
$2,450 per person
Drop Camps - Hunting (non-guided)
$1,850 per person
Game packing
$550/elk from the corral. $250/hour for packing Services requiring horses to be transported or requiring more than four hours too pack out.
New Comments
Join us for Colorado’s Premier Big Game hunt!
Thanks for a great few days at your cabin, Shawn. Wonderful view, great fireplace, peace and quiet. Just what we needed to get away this Christmas!
Cassie L.
HIPCAMP – Welder’s White River cabin, Colorado
The location is beautiful! Our host was above expectations in accommodating our needs. It was definitely a hidden paradise. The horseback riding was a great addition to our stay!
Kathryn C.
HIPCAMP – Cabin on the White River
Join Welder Outfitting Services Welder Ranch CO for Guided Fishing, Horseback Rides, and Back Country trips in Northwest Colorado!
Guided Rifle and Archery Hunts
September 2026 –
November 2026