Northwest Hunting Outfitter Review
Upfront Outfitters, founded in 2001 by professional hunting guide and outfitter Mike Jenkins, operates in the Pacific Northwest in both Washington State and Oregon. A native of Western Washington, Mike brings over 20+ years of experience in the outdoors, having successfully guided and hunted a wide range of big game species throughout the Western U.S. and Alaska. His passion and expertise have shaped Upfront Outfitters into a trusted name in Western big game hunting.
Oregon Hunting Outfitter
Upfront Outfitters provides premium big game hunting experiences across both public and private lands in Oregon. The state's diverse landscapes, from coastal rainforests and desert plains to towering mountain ranges, offer ideal habitats for a wide variety of game species. Hunters can pursue Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt Elk, Blacktail, Whitetail, and Mule Deer, along with trophy Antelope and Bighorn Sheep. Notably, Oregon's Umpqua Valley is the only place in the world where you can hunt Columbian Whitetail Deer.
Upfront Outfitters offers extensive hunting opportunities in Oregon, with both over the counter and guaranteed outfitter tags available for species such as Roosevelt Elk, Rocky Mountain Elk, Blacktail Deer, Mule Deer, and Black Bears. Archery hunters can buy a general season tag for Roosevelt Elk or opt for a guaranteed tag for Rocky Mountain Elk.
With deep experience in hunting a wide range of species, Upfront Outfitters specializes in both archery and rifle hunts; particularly over-the-counter tags for Roosevelt Elk and Blacktail Deer, as well as premium draw, once-in-a-lifetime, and auction hunts for Bighorn Sheep, Antelope, Rocky Mountain Elk, and Mule Deer.
Whether you've drawn a specific tag or are still planning, Upfront Outfitters can design and lead a successful hunt. Most Oregon hunting trips are conducted from remote tent or spike camps to access less-pressured areas, but they also offer rugged backpack hunts and, when needed, hunts based out of motels. No matter your goal, they provide the time, resources, and commitment needed for a successful hunting adventure in Oregon.
Washington Hunting Outfitter
If you're considering a hunting trip to Washington State, we highly recommend looking into what Upfront Outfitters has to offer. Washington State is surprisingly accessible, with over the counter (OTC) tags available for Roosevelt Elk, Blacktail Deer, Mule Deer, and Bear. This eliminates the hassle of applying for a draw tag, unless you’re after Rocky Mountain Elk, which are only available via draw and primarily located east of the Cascades.
It’s important to note that general season Rocky Mountain Elk hunting trips are spike-only, and if you’re hoping to tag a branched bull, you’ll need to apply through a draw that typically takes 8 to 15 points. The quality of Rocky Mountain Elk in Washington is impressive, with some units regularly producing 350”+ class bulls; definitely worth the effort if you’re committed to the draw. That said, Roosevelt Elk on the west side are huntable with a standard OTC tag. Archery hunters in particular have great hunting opportunities across both sides of the state, including cow elk in several units.
For trophy hunters, Washington also has a solid limited-entry program for Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, and Shiras Moose, accessible through public draws, raffles, or auctions. What’s great is that non-residents have equal odds in the public draws, and the raffle system often offers better odds than the general draw. If you're after a truly once-in-a-lifetime northwest hunting experience and have the budget for it, the auction tags provide extended seasons and top-tier trophy opportunities.
Upfront Outfitters’ most popular hunts are for the Roosevelt Elk hunts in the rainforests of Southwest Washington. These hunts are available in archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons and cater well to both serious trophy hunters and adventurous elk hunters. Hunting in the coastal mountains is both challenging and rewarding, and the hunting guides with Upfront Outfitters are extremely knowledgeable and hardworking.
Deer hunting in Washington is another big draw. With healthy populations of Whitetail Deer, Blacktail Deer, and Mule Deer, there are a lot of hunting opportunities, though public land pressure can be heavy. For the best results, plan on hiking, riding horseback, or backpacking deep into remote areas and spending a lot of time glassing; patience and effort pay off.
Overall, Washington State offers a diverse, challenging, and well-managed hunting experience, especially with the guidance of a professional hunting outfitter like Upfront Outfitters. Whether you're chasing Roosevelt Elk in the rainforest or trying your luck in the trophy tag draws, Washington State has something for every big game hunter.
Roosevelt Elk Hunting
Widely regarded as the toughest North American big game species to harvest, Roosevelt Elk hunting is at the heart of Upfront Outfitters’ hunting expertise and passion. With years of experience, they specialize in hunting these elusive animals in Western Oregon’s Coast Range and Southwest Washington’s coastal rainforest mountains.
Upfront Outfitters is fully permitted by the State of Oregon, BLM, and USDA Forest Service, allowing them to hunt across vast stretches of Western Oregon and from the Washington to California border. Their commitment to success is clear; they scout year-round and maintain 15 to 25 trail cameras throughout the coastal region to monitor elk movements. The areas they hunt are a mix of State Forest lands and private timber company lands, offering rich and varied habitats. The terrain features deep canyons, flowing streams, and expansive forests, with ocean views visible from the peaks on clear days.
The hunting units they focus on are elk-dense and offer guaranteed tags for archery hunters, provided licenses are purchased before the archery season begins in late August. Rifle hunters can either purchase a guaranteed outfitter tag or apply for a controlled draw by the May 15th deadline. Fortunately, non-residents are guaranteed to draw in this unit, which enforces a 3-point minimum for both bow and rifle hunters.
Success in these areas isn’t just rewarding in the field, it also qualifies hunters for prestigious awards such as the North America Grand Slam, SCI, Boone & Crockett, and Pope & Young under the Roosevelt Elk category.
In short, Upfront Outfitters provides not only a challenging and scenic hunt but also an opportunity to pursue trophy-class Roosevelt Elk in some of the most elk-rich and visually stunning terrain in the Pacific Northwest.
