High Mountain Hunts LLC, Nicholas Maragas

High Mountain Hunts (HMH) is a premier big game guide service specializing in high-altitude adventures within the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests. Operating under special use permits, Nick Maragas and his team focus on providing elite fair-chase hunts for Elk, Mule Deer, and Black Bear across Game Management Units 76, 77, 78, and 771. These units offer a wide range of rugged terrain, from the high-desert rimrock of Unit 771 to the trophy-class alpine basins of Unit 76, which reaches elevations exceeding 13,000 feet.

The operation is designed to provide a “home away from home” experience, featuring a stunning timber-frame lodge located in the heart of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Unlike traditional wall-tent wilderness camps, HMH provides lodge-based accommodations with all the amenities of a high-end hotel, including hot home-cooked meals prepared by a dedicated camp host. The hunting program offers a 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 guide ratio, with professional guides who spend the entire year scouting and learning the migration patterns of the local herds to ensure a high shot-opportunity rate for their clients.

A hallmark of High Mountain Hunts is its comprehensive approach to the logistics of a Western hunt. For a nominal fee, the outfit handles the entire Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) draw application process for their clients, using their technical knowledge of the preference-point system to help hunters secure tags in the state’s best units. They also provide full field services, including skinning, field dressing, and delivery of meat to local processors in the Pagosa Springs area. Whether you are a dedicated bowhunter seeking a September bull in the San Juan National Forest or a rifle hunter targeting a trophy muley in the late seasons, Nick Maragas provides a professional, hospitality-driven service that prioritizes both the quality of the harvest and the comfort of the guest.