Big game hunting out West

Buy a gohunt membership. You can see all the draw odds and will provide tips on each unit. They have some good videos on gear lists for different hunts on YouTube as well.

I’ve hunted deer twice in Montana and elk once in Colorado. I’ve slept in motels and tents. All have plus or minuses.

Hunted Wyoming, Utah and Nebraska black powder and modern rifle.
Had wall tent with stove jack made.
Loved every minute.
Not always successful but was worth it.

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Colorado, Wyoming or Montana

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Those are great options for possibly getting a nice hunt in the next few years for elk or deer.

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deer, elk, sheep

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Sheep hunting in the lower 48 is not really attainable without good planning and a lot of luck or really (I mean seriously!) deep pockets.

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when planning something like this, what do i need to think about?

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Definitely think about the time and amount of planning needed to get a desirable tag. A Wyoming general tag will probably take 4 preference points to draw. A Montana general will take two or three and if you apply with an outfitter you can buy two bonus points when you apply. Colorado has over the counter tags and decent opportunities that you can get with low points.

From my perspective, those Colorado over the counter hunts and low point opportunities aren’t that desirable unless you get horsed into a remote place by a knowledgeable outfitter, have(or pay for) access to private land, or have some kind of trespass access.

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Are there certain agencies that would be more helpful than others I could contact?

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It’s not that hard to figure out the application process but if I needed an application service I’d call “the draw” or huntin fool. I’ve never spent a dollar or applied with either of them but I’ve called and they seemed very helpful and knowledgeable.

My advice would be first decide what you want your hunt to look like. Do you want to backpack? Do you want to be on horseback? Do you want to get horsed in and be alone? Bow or rifle? Deer or elk? Do you want to shoot a giant or are you ok with like a decent representation of the species? Some of those will basically require an outfitter, some could be done DIY. It may help to work backwards and call some outfitters who are doing what you think you’d like to do and ask them what’s required.

I have a contact for mountain goat hunting on Kodiak Island, AK if you are interested.

From a guy that lived in Colorado for about 5 years.
Base Camp...your Truck or whatever as fancy as you want.
Tiny tent and Framed backpack , field stove whatever.
Hike in to High Country and sleep with the Elk for a couple days at a time.
Everybody else is in the Valley climbing up every morning..your already there.
Gunnison / Uryah / Silverton areas. Too rough for 4 wheelers and slackers.

All great information, thanks everyone. Hope to bump one day with a good story to tell

Kind of a longshot, but any of you folks live in Idaho and know the ropes for getting tags and such as a resident there?

Moving to Boise in the next couple of months and will be looking to get back in to hunting next season. Not really a trophy hunter, I care more about filling my freezer, so I'm ok with cow/doe tags.

Learn to bone out the meat and leave all heavy stuff behind. You will be amazed at how much bones weigh.

257WBY gave excellent advice.