subscribe to the "Eastmans Hunting Journal" . There is a ton of info on diy hunting on public land and many contacts for outfitters in their magazines.

Your first step should be to get a map and figure out where all the Forest Service, BLM, and state lands are to get a general idea of where exactly you can hunt. Wilderness areas offer alot of land to hike around in and a great hunting oppurtunity. I live in Montana and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Scape Goat Wilderness, and the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness would be some great areas to check into.

If you plan on Wyoming remember that to legally hunt in wilderness areas you are required by the state to have an accompanying resident guide. This can be a friend or associate or my grandma but they must be there. Some folks hire outfitters but some just go with a local hunter.

I suggest reading the bible. I have tried elk hunting unguided in colorado and there are 2 things you need on your side, luck and God. But trust me it will be the greatest investment of your life if you go out there. There is nothing in the world like seeing the sun rise up over those mountain tops or the silence of the morning broken by a bugel. I plan on going back out this summer

woops, old link, http://www.elkcamp.com/

Lot of good advice here. Try to get with someone who has hunted elk before and knows the land. Elk are tough to hunt on the best of days. The only places I know of that have over the counter tags are either very crowded ( CO public land) or darn few elk (Washington state), or no access to land (almost everywhere); so research and planning to draw the best tags are important. If you try to go it alone the first time, chances are that it will be a disaster or a very expensive "camping" trip. I had the good fortune of living near elk country and being able to hunt with family to get started. Join your local chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and attend their events. You are sure to hook up with some elkaholics there!

Hiring a good outfitter is also an option. One outfitter in Montana that I can personally recommend is Chuck Rein at anchoroutfitting.com. Don't go with an outfitter without good references. Lots of bozo's out there.

Rules for successful elk hunting:

1. Hunt where there are lots of elk.
2. Hunt where there are lots of elk and you have land access.
3. Hunt where there are lots of elk and bring enough rifle.
4. Hunt where there are lots of elk and know how to shoot well.
5. Hunt where there are lots of elk and be in good shape!

See a trend here? Worked for me the last 5 out of 6 years. Elk hunting is the best there is! Mighty tasty, too!

I read the book The Ultimate Guide To Elk Hunting by Bob Robb. It was a great book for learning everything you need to know about elk hunting. There are a few chapters on using a guide but the majority of the book is on how to do it yourself. You can get the book for about tweny bucks at Amazon. It is well worth the buy and read. I suggest reading everything you can get your hands on for a couple of years. Know exactly where you want to go and what your gonna do way before you go. Get all the maps you can. Practice hiking long distances and setting up camp where you live before you go. Don't come back thinking I wish I had checked this before I went. Most of all though, when you go, don't consider not taking home meat a failure. Enjoy the country side.

There are a few good books out on elk hunting. Zumbo's 'Elk Hunting" & 'Elk Hunters Bible', Don Laubach (who I know) and Mark Henschel's 'Elk Tactics', 'The Elk Hunter....', & 'Elk Talk' are good places to start in addition to the ones already mentioned.

You will be way ahead if you can hook up with someone who has elk hunted before or at least hunted the West for deer. Do not try this alone. At best, if you are successful, you won't get the elk out without destroying or spoiling the meat all by yourself. I was dumb on a couple of occasions and hunted the mountains alone and had a few near disasters. Not anymore. It's tough for 2 guys to get an elk out of the woods even if you know what you are doing. A near impossible task for a lone beginner.

If your going in the high Mountains, DONT GO ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!! You may be in Really good shape and all that, BUT if you break a leg, and cannot walk out you will die alone! Go with a guide or at least someone who can get you out.