Finding a DIY Private Land Hunt for 2025 (Or Similar)

[HermanFromGA]

Hi all,

I live in Colorado and hunt elk every year here and/or Wyoming, but I am originally from Georgia, and my father who still lives down there has recently expressed interest in elk hunting with me. FINALLY! The problem is he wants to go next year and he and his buddies have no points. He is not interested in a guided hunt so what I am looking for is a DIY, private land hunt. This has me thinking that a New Mexico private land hunt is the way to go. Sure, we can all apply for NM next year hoping to draw, but I've been doing that for the better part of a decade and have yet to hit one so I don't have high hopes there.

I am not locked in on NM, I was just thinking that would be the best place to go because I have a good number of points in most states and these guys have zero so that makes it tricky. Most options I see online are for guided hunts. Any advice on how to find a DIY private land hunt + tag or good ideas on how to get these guys a non-guided hunt that isnt a brutal OTC Colorado hunt? Any ideas or advice is welcome.

 

[Sheltowee]

Hi all,

I live in Colorado and hunt elk every year here and/or Wyoming, but I am originally from Georgia, and my father who still lives down there has recently expressed interest in elk hunting with me. FINALLY! The problem is he wants to go next year and he and his buddies have no points. He is not interested in a guided hunt so what I am looking for is a DIY, private land hunt. This has me thinking that a New Mexico private land hunt is the way to go. Sure, we can all apply for NM next year hoping to draw, but I've been doing that for the better part of a decade and have yet to hit one so I don't have high hopes there.

I am not locked in on NM, I was just thinking that would be the best place to go because I have a good number of points in most states and these guys have zero so that makes it tricky. Most options I see online are for guided hunts. Any advice on how to find a DIY private land hunt + tag or good ideas on how to get these guys a non-guided hunt that isnt a brutal OTC Colorado hunt? Any ideas or advice is welcome.

I think you're on the right track with New Mexico but it might be hard to find a landowner willing to sell a tag to a self-guided hunter rather than through an outfitter. PLO tags will likely be easier to come by in Colorado or Wyoming but you're going to have to do a lot of work to find a rancher willing to let you onto a property that holds elk and hasn't already been leased by an outfitter.

 

[HermanFromGA]

Yeah I basically ran into that conclusion myself and gave up and came here to ask for help on creative solutions. As I was reading your comment though it triggered the idea of finding a place that does something like a 4:1 guide ratio so pops could hunt solo while his buddies go guided. Ideally the guide could just point out different areas to go check out and he could wander on his own until he gave up and got a day or two with the guide.

 

[Sheltowee]

Yeah I basically ran into that conclusion myself and gave up and came here to ask for help on creative solutions. As I was reading your comment though it triggered the idea of finding a place that does something like a 4:1 guide ratio so pops could hunt solo while his buddies go guided. Ideally the guide could just point out different areas to go check out and he could wander on his own until he gave up and got a day or two with the guide.

Yeah, a drop camp setup might be your best situation.

 

[Westelker]

Hi all,

I live in Colorado and hunt elk every year here and/or Wyoming, but I am originally from Georgia, and my father who still lives down there has recently expressed interest in elk hunting with me. FINALLY! The problem is he wants to go next year and he and his buddies have no points. He is not interested in a guided hunt so what I am looking for is a DIY, private land hunt. This has me thinking that a New Mexico private land hunt is the way to go. Sure, we can all apply for NM next year hoping to draw, but I've been doing that for the better part of a decade and have yet to hit one so I don't have high hopes there.

I am not locked in on NM, I was just thinking that would be the best place to go because I have a good number of points in most states and these guys have zero so that makes it tricky. Most options I see online are for guided hunts. Any advice on how to find a DIY private land hunt + tag or good ideas on how to get these guys a non-guided hunt that isnt a brutal OTC Colorado hunt? Any ideas or advice is welcome.

I would be a little suspect, not your father, but "his buddies". It appears as a spontaneous notion since they have no points. Have they hunted elk before? Have they hunted in the high altitude of Colorado? Does your father and his buddies have the proper hunting gear and camping equipment for an elk hunt? Perhaps a 2nd season OTC camping trip might fulfill their needs. They could plan on a comfortable two tent camp with heaters, tables and cots, good grilled food, a few drinks and enjoy the beautiful Colorado fall colors.

I think what "the buddies" may want is to get away from Georgia, perhaps their wives and have a big boys camping trip. And call it an elk hunting trip. Lots of stories and experiences could come from such a trip. And YOU could be their guide for a week, and maybe do all of the camp chores too!!

Seriously, you may find it very hard and expensive (licenses, tags and trespass fees) to arrange a DIY elk hunt on good private land, especially with four or five "hunters." Don't blow your points baby-sitting a bunch of your father's buddies!!

 

[Westelker]

I would be a little suspect, not your father, but "his buddies". It appears as a spontaneous notion since they have no points. Have they hunted elk before? Have they hunted in the high altitude of Colorado? Does your father and his buddies have the proper hunting gear and camping equipment for an elk hunt? Perhaps a 2nd season OTC camping trip might fulfill their needs. They could plan on a comfortable two tent camp with heaters, tables and cots, good grilled food, a few drinks and enjoy the beautiful Colorado fall colors.

I think what "the buddies" may want is to get away from Georgia, perhaps their wives and have a big boys camping trip. And call it an elk hunting trip. Lots of stories and experiences could come from such a trip. And YOU could be their guide for a week, and maybe do all of the camp chores too!!

Seriously, you may find it very hard and expensive (licenses, tags and trespass fees) to arrange a DIY elk hunt on good private land, especially with four or five "hunters." Don't blow your points baby-sitting a bunch of your father's buddies!!

Herman,
Contact High Plains Inn just west of Capulin, CO. It's located in very good elk country. This is a family ran operation and provides accommodations, meals and all the information and direction to harvest an elk. I don't have a phone number, but you can contact them online.

I hope this helps and good luck.

Westelker