Colorado has millions of acres of public land and enough elk that hunters fill tags on their own every year. It also has steep, high-altitude country where a first-time hunter can spend a week without seeing an elk. How you hunt is the biggest decision after getting a tag.

The three options at a glance

	DIY	Drop camp	Fully guided
Who finds the elk	You	You	Your guide
Camp and gear	You bring everything	Outfitter provides camp, you bring personal gear	Outfitter provides everything
Getting in and out	You hike or drive in	Outfitter packs you in and out by horse	Outfitter handles it
Packing out an elk	You	Outfitter, usually at the end of the hunt	Outfitter
Typical cost (beyond license)	Lowest	Middle	Highest, often $3,000–$15,000+
Best for	Experienced, fit hunters with time to scout	Hunters who want backcountry access without the logistics	First-timers, short on time, or after a specific bull

DIY: hunting on your own

Pros: It costs the least, you hunt on your own schedule, and filling a tag on your own is very rewarding.

Cons: You have to learn new country, scout, deal with altitude and weather, and get several hundred pounds of meat off the mountain. Many first-time DIY hunters spend most of their trip just figuring out where the elk aren’t.

DIY works best if you:

• Can scout in summer or have hunted the area before
• Are in good shape and comfortable at 9,000+ feet
• Have a plan, and a partner, for packing out an elk
• Are happy with a good experience even if you don’t fill your tag

Drop camp: the middle ground

An outfitter packs you and a set-up camp into the backcountry, often several miles from the nearest trailhead and the crowds. They check on you during the hunt or come back on a set day, and most will pack your elk out.

Pros: You get deep into the backcountry without hauling a camp on your back. It costs much less than a guided hunt, especially with a full camp.

Cons: You still have to find the elk yourself. Weather or an injury far from the trailhead is a real risk. Meat care is up to you until the outfitter returns.

Ask before you book a drop camp:

• What exactly is in camp: tent, stove, cots, cooking gear, food?
• How far from the trailhead, and how much pressure from other hunters?
• How often do you check on camp, and how do you pack out elk?
• What success have past drop camp hunters had in this area?

Fully guided: the highest odds

A guide scouts before the season, knows where elk go when the pressure starts, calls during the rut, and handles field dressing and pack-out. Many guided hunts include lodging and meals.

Pros: The best odds, especially for a first elk hunt or a short trip. Many outfitters also hunt private land or have access you can’t get on your own.

Cons: It’s the most expensive option and you need to book early. Good outfitters often fill a year or more ahead.

Questions to ask any Colorado elk outfitter

1. Are you registered with the State of Colorado? Colorado requires outfitters to be registered with the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Ask for their registration number.
2. Do you have a permit for the land you hunt? Outfitters on national forest land need a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
3. What were your success and opportunity rates the last few years? Ask for both: how many hunters killed an elk, and how many had a chance at one.
4. Which units, seasons, and hunt codes do you guide? Then check how many points those codes take to draw.
5. How many hunters per guide? 1-on-1 and 2-on-1 hunts are priced and experienced very differently.
6. What’s included, and what costs extra? Lodging, meals, meat care, harvest fees, and transport.
7. What is your deposit and refund policy if I don’t draw a tag?
8. Can I talk to past clients? Read reviews, too.

So which should you choose?

• First elk hunt, limited time, or a hunt of a lifetime? Go guided.
• Experienced hunter who wants to get past the crowds? A drop camp.
• Have time to scout and want the lowest cost? DIY, perhaps with an outfitter’s pack-out service as a backup.

Related: How Colorado draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Colorado Elk Hunting Guide · Cost of a Colorado elk hunt · Season dates