Anyone ever do a DIY -Public Land Hunt for Elk in the Colorado or NM

I've done it in Montana, but did it with a friend of mine familiar with the area. As far as money, you're looking at travel plus tags plus food. In those western states, there are forest service cabins that you can rent for very cheap. they are rustic but a much better experience than a lodge IMO.

I would suggest you subscribe to Huntin Fool Magazine to work out your tags. Then, get maps of all the available public land and plan where you want to go.

As far as equipment--good comfortable boots, a good pack (eberlestock or similar), calls, binocs, gps/compass. You will do lots of hiking.

Slick

Do you know what area of Colorado they hunt, also whats there success rate?

Did it ourselves a few times years ago.
Drove a suburban and pulled a U haul. Had a mattress in the back of the suburban so one guy could sleep while the other drove. We hunted a place called Calamity ridge near Rangely, CO. Tags were walk up back then. Mule deer tags must be applied for in April now. Moved on up over the years. We fly to Montrose and stay in a lodge in the Uncompahgre range. Someone still has to drive the gear though.

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I have never hunted elk let alone hunted in the west, but I am dying to do it if i can find someone willing to come with me.

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There are several of us on the board that want to do this.

I want to use horses as well. A horse provides a lot of mobility and utility.

I will go with someone if they can work out a date. This year I can take vehicle and likely cover gas.

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Unless NM has changed their regs you are required to use an outfitter when hunting elk as a nonresident.

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As of two years ago this was still the case. Some of the outfitters will charge you minimum amount. They don't really have to guide you just point in the right direction and know when you enter and leave the public lands.

Slick I think they were hunting in southwest CO. Maybe around Durango?

I have two friends of mine who should be going up the mountain as I type this. They did a semi guided. Semi-guided meaning a guy will take them up to camp and leave, come back several days later to check on them and finally pick them up at the end of the hunt.

I know downshifts uncle made a few trips to that area also, but its been a few years.

I've done it several times in CO but haven't been the last three years because of my job.

I go with two friends and his dad and brother. We have three mules and a huge three horse slant gooseneck trailer. We've camped on the mountain a couple times and also stayed in cabins.

We've hunted the Navajo Peak area of the San Juan mountains around Chromo, CO and also east of there around Fort Garland. I prefer the Chromo/ Pagosa Springs area.

We've had some success, I missed a very nice 6x6 my second year, and killed a nice 5x5 the next. I've been during rifle season four times and muzzle loader once. Never been during archery but would love to try it. If you're going during archery season, I suggest you purchase one of these decoys. I've read great reviews about them. They'll keep the bulls attention off of you and on the decoy and are great for getting a bull away from his harem. LINK

Colorado is the way to go if you want to DIY. They have the largest population of elk and probably the most public land also. Most of the Rockies is public land. Check out the CO Dept. of Wildlife website. They have alot of useful info about success rates in different GMU's, and about draw odds. Many GMU's have over the counter tags for archery and rifle (2nd & 3rd season). Some GMU's are designated as trophy units and are draw only. LINK

We used to do the whole trip including tags ($535 then, $575 now), diesel, food and lodging for around $1000-1300 per man. I also know an outfitter in Chromo who'll go pack out your elk with mules for $200.

Let me know if you need anymore info. Be warned though, it is highly addictive!

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Meant to say...I have horses, just not mountain horses. Huge difference.

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Buy a mule. I've heard some horror stories about horses fricking people up in the mountains. Mules will not do anything to hurt themselves, horses, not so much.

Couple years back, we met another hunter on a mule, he had a huge scar on his forehead across his eye. Said his horse ran off a cliff with him on it. Almost killed him. Said he'd never ride a horse in the mountains again.

DIY on public land is the way to go. It's what I consider "real elk hunting".

I'm not impressed with those guys that pay $5000 to hunt private land adjacent to national forest over an alfalfa field. Guide to client, "We'll just sit right here for about an hour or so until right before sunset, and they'll come walking down the mountain to feed in this field. Pick out a nice bull and shoot him.". That's not hunting.

I promise you, I'm as proud of that little 5x5 on my wall as any because I did it myself.