I live in West Virginia and our big game opportunities in state are limited to mostly whitetail deer and black bear. I really want to head west and hunt elk, mullies and antelope but I don't have the $$ to spend on an outfitter. As best I can tell Colorado has the most opportunities for non-residents and has some over the counter elk tags. Any suggestions on public land (not limited to CO) for a non-resident, non-guided trip that won't cost a fortune?

Were you thinking about this year? I hope not. You need more time for research.

If I were you...I'd get a Delorme Colorado Atlas, or a map prgram for your computer. Next, start going to websites and see what they recommend, just read and "listen". You can do a search on most forums/websites (huntamerica.com, monstermuleys.com and others) and put in Colorado as the search term. Contact the CO-DOW and get a booklet and see what the over-the-counter Unlimited (Limited are by drawing) units are.

I'd recommend getting a cow license.

FWIW, public land hunts in Co, that you can draw w/just a few or no points are not that great. CO is managed for quantity (NR $) not quality. The quality units take preference points to draw. AZ and NM both have better public land hunts...they are just harder to draw.

I'm from AZ, so I'm partial to it. But, your chances of shooting a 300+ point public land bull in CO is marginal, in AZ it is a reality...after 5 years or more of collecting points (which is what it takes in CO to build points).

Once you decide on a unit, call the local DOW office...the local warden will do his best to tell you where to go.

Nobody I know spends money on a guide. But, one of em has a string of horses, several of em have ATV's and they all live close enough that they are somewhat familiar with the area and have a much better idea of the area.

State wildlife areas can be pretty marginal (as far as pressure goes), but I've been in one that didnt have that much pressure in it.

Lots of hunters from out of state hunt units 8, 8a,10 and 10A here in Idaho. Wolves are taking their toll, but over the counter tags are available til F&G reach each units quota. Here is there site.

fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/

Here is the site you can check on. You can email and ask about tags. Our season opens tomarrow so I don't know if their are any out of state tags left. It's best to get in early.

Quite a few elk coming out of this area, but they are harder to hunt than in or pre-wolf times. You don't see any herds anymore and there kept moving a lot more. You need to get into harder to reach country.

I was really looking at 07 or even 08 so I had plenty of time to research. We are just getting ready for our deer seasons here and my buddy and I just got permission to hunt coyote on several farms so I can stay busy this fall. We will probably hunt black bear also. Thanks for the help guys I really appreciate your input. My brother lives in Tuscon so he can help me research AZ. Thanks for the Idaho tips also. I really want to plan this thing out and give myself as much of a chance to be successful as I can.

Here is a few pix of some of the area's where I live and hunt. If you look us up on the maps or use Microsoft streets and trips These areas are out of Orofino and Pierce idaho.

Often shooting is in close 50 to 150 yards. Across canyon shots and across clear-cut shots can often be out to 400 yards plus. I like a caliber that will allow me to anchor an elk, which can be a tough animal especially a big bull.

Lots of folks here use 7mm Rem mags with 175's, 300 mags with 180's and you'll see everything else in the woods from 243's, to a sprinkling of 338's.

I use a Remington 8mm Mag with 220 grain Sierra Game Kings and pretty much stick to a front shoulder shot. I've had stone dead heart lung shot elk go several hundred yards down some really bad places before finally deciding they were dead. Two days of chain sawing, wenching and no little amount of taking God's name in vain later got it out.

This is steep country with deep canyons and plenty of blowdown, brushy country. One of our sayings is there is only two directions in this country, straight up and straight down.

There is a lot of elk country here you can drive to in a car, but having a four wheel drive is better. Walk hunting, pack in with a backpack or stand hunting all works. In the last few years with wolf and bear depredation the hunting is getting harder, but folks are still harvesting.

Good luck in your planning and do check with our Fish and Game on the seasons and such.

Thanks a bunch for the pictures. It looks awesome there. Being on the East Coast I envy the big game opportunities in the West. The guys on here seem well grounded for the most part and really appreciate their hunting opportunities and the rifles they use. That makes this forum a great place to visit. If I am successful when I make the trip I will post some very good pictures. Mark it down!