San-Pahgre Outfitters, Rick Baecker

San-Pahgre Outfitters is strategically positioned in Montrose, Colorado—an area Rick Baecker aptly describes as being “smack-dab in the middle of elk and big buck country”. The operation holds a strong reputation for providing high-quality, fair-chase hunts across Game Management Units 65, 74, and 75. While many large-scale outfitters focus on volume, San-Pahgre prides itself on personalized guiding, intentionally keeping hunt sizes small to ensure every guest receives individual attention and a higher likelihood of success during archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons.

A standout feature of the operation is their exclusive access to 1,100 acres of private land in Unit 65, which they began offering more extensively in recent years. These private land hunts are meticulously managed to minimize pressure, featuring locked gates and strategically placed elevated blinds that overlook vital travel corridors and feeding areas. This specific program is designed for a maximum of four hunters per trip, typically on a 2-on-1 guided basis, providing a semi-private experience that includes food, lodging, and all necessary field accommodations.

Beyond the private acreage, San-Pahgre’s deep-woods expertise shines in the rugged public lands of the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests. Their primary targets are Elk, Mule Deer, and Black Bear, and they are well-versed in the specific permit requirements and migration patterns of the Southwest region. Rick and Todd emphasize a “mountain-ready” philosophy, encouraging hunters to prepare for the physical demands of Western hunting while the team handles the heavy lifting of scouting and logistics. Whether you are sitting in a heated blind on private ground or glassing a timberline basin for a trophy bull, San-Pahgre Outfitters combines decades of local knowledge with a commitment to the “old-school” values of integrity and hard work.