[ about our guided hunts ]Earned in the field.
This isn’t about being led through a hunt. It’s about stepping into one. These experiences are built in real environments where terrain, weather, and responsibility create the conditions for growth.
Whether pursuing elk in the mountains or working through changing conditions in the field, the hunt becomes the proving ground. What matters isn’t the outcome - it’s how you show up, how you respond, and what you carry forward.
[ OUR guided hunts ]This isn’t a guided hunt where everything is done for you. You’ll be in real terrain, working through changing conditions, making decisions, and taking responsibility for your role in the field. Days are long, the environment is dynamic, and the work requires attention, patience, and effort. You’ll be expected to engage fully - not just in the pursuit, but in everything that surrounds it.
About Our Hunts
[ species + terrain ] Our seasonal hunts range geographically from elk in the mountains of New Mexico to Aoudad sheep in the desert of West Texas and various other locations primarily in the western United States. Please check our Guided Hunts + Events page for our current offerings.
Elevation and the environment play a role in shaping the experience. The conditions are not controlled - they’re part of the process. You’ll move through varied ground and operate in landscapes that demand awareness and respect.
[ processing ]Where possible, the work doesn’t end with the harvest. Processing is a critical part of the experience - one that requires attention, care, and respect.
We attempt to provide direct participation in the breakdown and handling of the animal, gaining a clear understanding of what is means to carry the full responsibility of the hunt. Nothing is rushed, and nothing is taken lightly.
[ who this is for ]This is for individuals who are willing to step into something real. You don’t need to have years of experience, but you do need to be coachable, present, and ready to work.
This is not for those looking to be guided through a comfortable experience. It’s for those who want to challenge how they think, operate, and move under pressure.
[ our partners ]We operate in partnership with Callis Outfitters, based in Alamogordo, New Mexico, on select hunts. Their knowledge of the land and commitment to ethical, responsible hunting supports the environments we frequently work in.
Not every experience involves an outfitter, but when they do, it’s with operators who meet the same standard of professionalism and respect for the land.
[ firearms + responsibility ]Before stepping into the field, time is spent on the range to establish safe, confident handling. This is part of the standard. Nothing is assumed, and nothing is overlooked.
The expectation is that every participant understands their responsibility and operates with discipline from the start.
Interested in providing a youth hunting scholarship opportunity? Please reach out.
Explore Our Offerings
Vermejo Ranch Bison Bull Hunt
$14,000 Per Participant (Non-Refundable)
Inquire for Dates
Experience one of North America's most iconic hunts on the legendary Vermejo Ranch, Ted Turner's private reserve in northern New Mexico.
This luxury experience combines world-class accommodations, catered meals, and breathtaking landscapes with the opportunity to pursue a mature bull bison in its natural habitat. Along the way, you'll witness an abundance of wildlife in an environment that closely reflects the untamed landscapes of centuries past.
Like every High Terrain hunt, this experience includes two coaching sessions before your arrival and one post-experience integration session to help carry the lessons beyond the hunt. Please note that meat processing and taxidermy services are not included; trusted local recommendations will be provided on-site.
Colorado Cow Elk/Antelope Doe Harvests
Base Rate | $4500
Inquire for availability. Bookings available for the 2nd and 3rd weeks of December
Designed for both new and experienced hunters, this immersive experience combines the pursuit of Western big game with the opportunity to develop practical skills and deeper awareness in the field.
Over three days, participants receive two coaching sessions before the hunt and one integration session afterward, creating an experience that extends beyond the harvest. Along the way, you'll learn foundational Western hunting skills, including gear preparation, field processing, meat care, transportation, and hide handling while actively participating in the complete process from field to freezer.
Meals, lodging, and hands-on game processing are included, offering a truly immersive experience. Participants may choose a single-species hunt or extend their stay with a fourth day to pursue an additional species. Bookings are available during the second and third weeks of December, with availability limited.
West Texas Cow Elk Experience
Base Rate | $4500
Inquire for availability. Three day bookings available from December – February
Set against the rugged landscape of West Texas near Big Bend National Park, this immersive elk experience is designed for both first-time and seasoned hunters seeking a meaningful adventure at the close of the year.
Participants pursue a well-established natural herd while developing practical Western hunting skills, including long-range shooting fundamentals, gear preparation, field processing, meat care, transportation, and hide handling.
Every experience includes two coaching sessions before the hunt and one post-experience integration session, extending the learning beyond the field. Meals, lodging, and hands-on game processing are included, allowing participants to be involved in the complete journey from harvest to freezer. Three-day experiences are available from December through February, with the option to add an Aoudad ewe or ram for a multi-species hunt. Private and group experiences are available, and pricing for additional species is provided upon request.
West Texas Aoudad Experience
Base Rate | $4500
Inquire for availability. Three day bookings available from December – February
This immersive Aoudad experience is ideal for hunters looking to enter the world of North American sheep hunting without the cost often associated with traditional sheep hunts.
Set in the rugged, open terrain near Big Bend National Park, participants pursue well-established herds with the opportunity to harvest trophy-class Aoudad rams while experiencing the challenge and beauty of West Texas. Every experience includes two coaching sessions before the hunt and one post-experience integration session, combining the pursuit with the High Terrain Methodology.
Meals and lodging are included, with three-day experiences available from December through February. Aoudad ewe opportunities are also available for an additional nominal fee, and both private and group experiences can be arranged based on availability.
Our Founder
Darin Hardy | Coach + Lead Guide
ACC | AWLS IIDarin Hardy spent 20 years in some of the most demanding environments the military encounters. A career in special operations shaped how he thinks about presence, readiness, leadership, and the tools that make all of it possible. After retirement, he founded Level 7 High Terrain, an organization built around rites of passage, wilderness immersion, and mentorship that meets people where they actually are.
Claim Your Terrain.
A reflection of the path, not just the place.
Proud Carriers of Benchmade Knife Company
“A tool earns trust by doing what it’s supposed to do — again and again — without asking to be believed.”
Darin has carried the same Benchmade 5500SBK Auto Presidio® since 2013, not as a collector, but as someone who knows the difference between gear that one owns and gear one earns. And they’re what we depend on in the field when tools matter most.
[ commonly asked questions ]Preparing for your Hunt
Preparing for a guided hunt often comes with questions. We've gathered answers to the most common ones to help you arrive informed, confident, and ready for the work ahead.
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Not at all. We welcome both first-time and experienced hunters. Every High Terrain hunt is designed to meet you where you are, with coaching and guidance provided throughout the experience. Whether you're pursuing your first harvest or building on years of experience, you'll be supported every step of the way.
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Absolutely. Many people join High Terrain experiences to witness the process, support a friend or family member, or better understand the connection between the land, stewardship, and the harvest. We regularly welcome non-hunting participants and can tailor the experience so you're actively involved in the journey. If you're interested in accompanying a hunt without harvesting an animal yourself, we'd love to help create the right experience for you.
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Each experience is unique, but most guided hunts include pre-experience coaching, lodging, meals, guided hunting, and post-experience integration. Some hunts also include hands-on field processing and meat care. Individual hunt pages outline exactly what's included for each experience.
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After booking, you'll receive a detailed packing list tailored to your hunt, location, and season. We'll also discuss gear recommendations during your pre-experience coaching sessions to ensure you're fully prepared before arriving.
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Licensing and tag requirements vary by state and by hunt. We'll guide you through the application or purchasing process and help ensure you have everything required before your experience begins.
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Many High Terrain hunts can be customized for individuals, families, friends, or organizational groups. If you're looking for a private experience or want to bring a group, reach out and we'll help design an experience that fits your goals.
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No. Every High Terrain hunt includes immersive coaching before and after your time in the field. The hunt becomes the environment where lessons in presence, responsibility, stewardship, and leadership are experienced — not simply discussed. Our goal isn't just a successful harvest; it's creating an experience that continues shaping your life long after you return home.
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The experience doesn't end when you leave the field. Every hunt includes an integration coaching session designed to help you reflect on what you've learned, process the experience, and apply those lessons to your everyday life.
[ From Our Clients ]Wilderness as a teacher. The hunt as a rite.
“The camaraderie of everyone there, helping each other without question or thought was inspiring. It was as if we were all old friends and it was just another hunting trip.
Even better was the father/son bonds that were strengthened and the cherished memories they will have of this. I am grateful to have been able to be there. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Brian, north carolina“Darin is a masterfully experienced hunting guide and his professional background as a U.S. Armed Forces Special Operator shines through to provide High Terrain’s clients with a unique and premium experience that extends way beyond the hunt.
I came away with more inspiration, introspection, and a wholesome sense of personal growth. I can’t recommend this enough to anyone seeking a premium and successful elk hunting experience on beautiful public land. In a word, just awesome.”
Scott, oregon
Stay Connected to the Journey
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