Rivers Bend Outfitting

River's Bend Outfitters operates out of Meeker, Colorado, running guided and drop camp hunts across multiple wilderness areas. They hold US Forest Service Special Use Permits on the White River National Forest (Flat Tops Wilderness and Eagles Nest Wilderness) and San Isabel National Forest (Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, and Mount Massive Wilderness).

They offer hunts for:

• •Elk - September archery and muzzleloader; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rifle seasons
• •Mule Deer - September and rifle season hunts
• •Black Bear - September bear hunts
• •Moose & Sheep - Limited specialty hunts with detailed unit recommendations

Drop camps run during all main seasons. Guided camps available for archery/muzzleloader elk (7 camps in 2025) and select rifle seasons. The 2025 season saw 200% shot opportunities in guided archery/muzzleloader camps with 9 bulls packed out.

They run multi-day fly fishing trips in partnership with Ascent Fly Fishing (Littleton, CO). Summer 2025 included a "wall tent city" at South Fork Base Camp on the White River with 5 tents, meals, and access to brook, rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. High-country lake fishing available during trail work days. Pack trips and horseback rides offered year-round.

• •Location: P.O. Box 1193, Meeker, CO 81641
• •Contact: (970) 878-8193 | [email protected]
• •Permits: US Forest Service Special Use Permit holder
• •Bonded & Insured: Equal opportunity provider
• •Owner/Guide: Jimmy Oswald

They packed out 31 bulls across drop camps (averaging 15-42% success on rifle seasons), 3 bucks, 1 cow, and multiple bears. The season saw exceptional archery/muzzleloader success early (weeks 1-3), with warmer fall temperatures pushing elk into dark timber during later seasons.

"The fall colors did not disappoint" - 2025 Season recap, after fires forced mid-August evacuations

The outfit navigated two major fires in August (Elk Fire and Lee Fire, the latter the 4th largest in Colorado history at 137,758 acres). While the ranch was evacuated briefly, permitted areas remained unaffected.

Jimmy Oswald publishes detailed draw guides and hunting tips:

• •Step-by-step Colorado Big Game Draw applications with specific hunt codes
• •Preference point strategy for elk, deer, and bear
• •Detailed assessments of 18 sheep units, 8 goat units, and 14 moose units
• •DIY and drop camp elk hunting tips
• •Fly box preparation for Flat Tops fishing
• •Field judging guides for moose and other species

They note December through March is peak booking season. Jimmy recommends booking decisions happen immediately, not months out.