solocamcan

You don't need to waste money on a outfitter....apply for unit 2b (Carson Nat'l Forrest)in New Mexico, it borders the Jicarilla Indian Res. Get yourself a good handheld GPS that has that region downloaded onto it, and seek out the water holes, and sit them in the evenings. In the morning find a fence crossing onto the Jicarilla (DO NOT CROSS ONTO THE JICARILLA WHATEVER YOU DO) but once it starts getting light, those Elk will filter back onto the Indian Res. because they know it's "safer" over there. Trust me it works, between me my Dad and brother 2 elk were killed and 2 missed. It took us 2 1/2 days to figure all this out, but once we did, it was pretty much like clockwork. PM me if you want, my brother lives in New Mexico, I am sure he would meet up with you and take you to those locations mentioned above.

onebigelk

good advice buckalley for ffmike, but i have a little different perspective. I went elk hunting for the first time last year and it was a DIY hunt in SW
Colorado. I'm 46 and feeling a little older these days but would not trade my experience for anything in the world. I did a lot of research using the
Colorado Div of Wildlife website( very informative) as well as lots of viewing the areas on google earth. I called and talked to several DOW personnel
personally which were more than willing to help with information including very important maps. This website and many fellow hunters were also very
helpfull in gaining valuable information on western and high elevation hunting. Out of 4 of us that went from Missouri i was the only one that
harvested an elk. But even if i hadn't, all we went through to get there was certainly worth it. So all the advice you get on preperation and cost is
good info but if you really want to hunt elk. Don't let anything quench that desire. Just research, prepare and go!! If I can help you in any way just get
in touch with me, be glad toohelp. Good luck. Kevin