Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Links:
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Questions pertaining to hunting:
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Questions pertaining to trail rides/fishing trips/pack trips:
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General Questions:
Hunting:
Q. Where does the trip start?
A. The hunting party will meet CCO at the predetermined trailhead at the agreed upon time. CCO does not provide transportation to the trailhead, hunters will be able to lock and leave their vehicles at the trailhead. We have not had any issues with vandalism or theft at our trailheads. But keep in mind we do not recommend leaving valuables in your vehicles.
Q. How long is the ride into camp?
A. The length of the ride varies depending on which camp you’re going to. Most camps are all 2-4 hours away from the trailhead with one camp 5 hours. We utilize 4 different trailheads depending on where we’re going and the weather/road conditions.
Q. What comes with a drop camp?
A. Our drop camps are setup to make your stay in the back country as comfortable as possible. They are equipped with cots, tables, chairs, a wood stove and a propane cooking stove. Along with basic cooking utensils, dish soap, pots, pans, cups, plates bowls and silverware. Propane for the cooking stove and fuel canisters for the Coleman lanterns are included. Lighter fluid for the wood stove will be provided, along with some firewood. Hunters do have to collect firewood to burn depending on how much you go through. There is an axe, handsaw and shovel in camp.
Q. What kind of gear do I have to bring for a drop camp?
A. You need to bring your sleeping bag, food to last the length of your trip and necessary hunting gear for the type of hunt you’re on. We recommend coming prepared for a wide range of weather conditions as well, regardless of the time of year you’re in the mountains. Please look at the “Gear List” page for a full list of recommended gear.
Q. Is there a way to communicate when I’m in the mountains?
A. Cellular phone service is nearly nonexistent in the back country. CCO staff uses the Garmin Inreach satellite communications device, as it’s the easiest and most reliable way to communicate in the back country. We have found satellite phones to be inconsistent and unreliable. CCO does not provide any satellite communication devices for Clients. You can find information on the Garmin at
Q. What do I do when I have an animal down?
A. CCO provides packout service to our drop camp and pack-in hunters as part of our agreement, as well as providing meat packing service to DIY hunters. The animal must be quartered out, we recommend the use of games bags and suggest hanging them in trees to help preserve the meat and prevent scavengers from getting to it. Game doesn’t necessarily have to be packed back to camp, it is the hunters responsibility to pack it to a location that is safely accessible for horses. Please provide coordinates or an accurate description of where meat is located for game pack out. Often the hunter will be needed to lead us to the meat location.
Q. How do I tag my animal?
A. Properly marked carcass tags should already be filled out and attached to a quarter. (Not to the antlers per game regulations). Evidence of sex is required by state game regulations to be naturally attached to one quarter. Carcass tags should be punched - MONTH, DAY , SEX and SIGNATURE are REQUIRED. Hunters do not have to accompany the wrangler out with their animal, but are required to sign a game packout permission slip per state regulations. The permission slip states that the hunter gives CCO permission to transport the animal from the site to the processor in Antonito, CO. Packout permission slips will be provided to hunters.
Q. What happens if I need to leave camp early?
A. CCO provides pack in, pack out as well as any trips necessary to bring game out as part of your contract. However, if you forget something in your vehicle, or if an individual in your party wants to come out early requiring additional trip into the wilderness, an additional $300 fee will be assessed. See contract.
Q. Will the altitude affect me? What can I do about it?
A. Altitude affects everyone differently and our camps are all above 10,000ft. We advise people to try and spend an extra day or two before your hunt in the area to allow your body time to acclimate. There are also medications and supplements that you can look into that can be helpful. Diamox is a prescription altitude medication you can talk to your doctor about before your trip. Wilderness Athlete makes a supplement called Altitude Advantage that some of our hunters recommend as well. You can buy cans of oxygen either locally or online that seem to provide immediate, if temporary, relief from symptoms. Most hunters that come from lower elevations deal with a period of adjustment, the better shape you’re in, the easier the adjustment seems to be.
Altitude Advantage - https://wildernessathlete.com/products/altitude-advantage