I've hunted elk in WY 10-12 times. Was like $40 for a resident elk tag and you could draw the type 9 archery only tag every year.
I tried CO public land one year and was disappointed. Admittedly, we didn't really know what we were doing in the area we had. But when we got up there, there were hikers and campers everywhere. We'd hike for an hour way high up to try and get away from people, trying to be quiet the whole time, then when we finally got to an area we thought was off the beaten bath some hippy in a beanie and his lib GF were walking with their golden doodle.
I'm sure this does not help at all, but like
@dsbigred1 said - I have pre-cum thinking about your upcoming hunt.