Looking into a public land Colorado elk/mule deer hunt for the 2012 season.
First thing i have found is the hunt codes are a pain in the ass to understand.
It looks like the best chances of drawing tags are around the Durango area. 100% draw rate with 100 tags left. Also has about a 27% kill rate.
Looks like the worst chances to draw is the NW part of the state.
7% draw rate with a 65% kill rate.
I know the NW must be better hunting but it would take me 10 years of preference points to draw a tag in that area.

Anyone ever tried hunting the public land in Co.
If so was it worth it or is it better to just hire a guide.

I use to guide for elk and deer in Colorado, I guided up near Steamboat springs area it was a decent area but to me colorado is over crowded with alot of people especially up near Craig and Meeker. Down near Montrose which is the southern part of the state has awesome Mule deer hunting especially early season archery. You are right, the reason the NW corner has such a good success rate is the low number of tags they give each year. The elk they kill are pretty nice though especially in Dinasour park area. To me colorado has to many people and alot of small bulls if you are looking to just kill a elk its a good place but for true trophys I would look into Montana, Idaho, or Wyoming. I guided up in Cody area for 5 seasons and know that area pretty well PM me if ya want more info I lived out their for a while.

I hunted in the San Juan mountains near Pagosa Springs. We invested a lot of time and money and went home with one muley between 4 of us. If you have the money, get a guide. It's hard to be successful when you don't know the area.

pm sent.