Elk Hunt questions

[bbhntr48]

NM is a straight lottery. You apply each year and if you get lucky great if not, oh well. If you contract with a outfitter you get a little better percentages on the draw odds, but you have to use their services.

WY is a preference point state. You can buy 1 PP per year. Generally speaking you'll need 3-5 points to draw a tag in a decent unit.

In my experiences over the years, if you can get an over the counter tag it's not going to be very good odds on the success rate. I've wasted plenty of money on the OTC cheaper hunts and all I got was a high dollar camping trip.

Out west you'll be anywhere from $8k-12k for the hunt depending on the unit and outfitter, and you'll generally pay for that much again for a NM land owner tag.

DIY is lots cheaper, but you better know what you're doing and be in really good shape just in case you get lucky and kill one. I haven't looked into the Canada elk trips, sounds like that might be your best bet for a 2025 hunt unless you get lucky and hit the NM lottery.

Solid info for OP. In the backcountry camp I just came back from, 3 of 4 hunters had been on at least 5 hunts that had proven unsuccessful prior to killing an elk with the bow. Tough odds

[FLS]

If you want to do DIY pick an area and stick to it. You’ll learn something every trip. No reason you can’t DIY while you’re accruing points. Elk are killed in those units every year. From what I’ve seen on those hunts, a bunch of those guys are on a camping trip, getting away from their wives and elk hunting is just an excuse.

[Swamp Rat]

I've been buying points in Wyoming for 3-4 years. Elk, deer, antelope. Waiting to go with someone, but I will likely be mobility limited for a couple of years or longer. Alberta sounds interesting. I may just use my antelope points in Wyoming.