We hunted mule deer and pronghorn on the same hunt.  We hunted pronghorn and when we tagged out we started our mule deer hunt.  I am not sure how feasible and how the seasons coincide or don't for mule deer and elk.  I suspect with those species, unless you have lots of time you'll focus on just one.

Wyoming has some good public land options, but you can't go into the areas designated wilderness unless you have a guide.  WesternHunter has started a nice blog on this subject and I find it very informational so check it out if you haven't already done so.

I think this is actually the same as someone posted earlier.  I would think that Wyoming is the best place to start.  They have a great population of each, and the draw odds are not too bad.  I might do a combo hunt there, but I think it would more likely be a lope and deer hunt.

I have a great idea!

Why don't we start a group - that wants to go on a hunt like this - and start making some long range plans?

I confess, I do not know anything at all about it - but I would love to pool our knowledge and resources and see if we could come up with a viable plan.

I guess the first obstacle would be whether or not we would be compatible as friends and hunting buddies...

We could make a list of things we like and dislike (gotta be brutally honest) and what we will tolerate and will not tolerate.

Maybe we label it the 2012 BGH Tour or something goofy like that.

Public land, low budget (if we can), rental vehicles as I will have to fly... and then work out the details from there???

Thoughts?

Pipe dream?

Good Point CVC on the preference points.

I have to do a lot of research before I will bite however.

I would be embarrased to tell you how much time I spent working on this Illinois hunt.

I have my sights set on Iowa for the next whitetail adventures but it takes about three years to gain enough points to get a permit.

I will apply in the spring of 2011 - they take your application fee and your money and then return all of it except for $50 later that year when you are not drawn... and I think historically, you get to go in your third year.

Lets see here... that will be 2013.... I will be what... 56 years old... man, what a long range plan.. but right now, it sounds like a good one!

More ideas, folks - on a good DIY hunt in the west?

Mule deer and elk, please!

I don't mind giving you specific locations, plenty of people did that very thing for my brothers and I to get started.

Westerners are the friendliest people on the planet, especially Utahans.

That wasn't always the case, after Vietnam my brothers settled in Wyoming and Utah, but couldn't find work in Utah very easily as they were not Mormons, these days its not an issue..good and bad in that as can be seen in the Utah of 1969 and today.

Where to go and when is decided by how you want to hunt, first of all.

Bow, Muzzleloader, Rifle...??

Colorado is the best bet to draw tags, many are limited but there are fall back tags OTC too.

Wyoming is a bitch if you don't have buddies there as residents, the wilderness areas are off limits without guides for big game, and while there are plenty of hunting spots outside the Wilderness signs there is more inside them.

Utah is hard to get tags and hard to get access in some places. But worth it.

In September I  hunt Colorado every year, Utah also, and Wyoming about every 3 years, each state has something good to offer and some kind of draw back.

For pronghorns I'd go Wyoming, tons of public land, and tons of private land open to safe well mannered hunters.

Mule Deer is tops in Colorado but I'd go Utah with bow first. Southern utah is tops in muleys and land access.

Top 5 places for elk is 1.Colorado, 2. Colorado, 3.Colorado, then Wyoming and Utah tied for 4th place and 5th is Colorado.

I have buddies that drive from VT, MA, ME and PA to Idaho for elk every year. I won't go, no way I am driving PAST Colorado to elk hunt.

There are more elk in Colorado than the whole world combined, tons of hunters, but tons of elk. Put in for a draw tag, and then take an OTC if you don't draw.

Bowhunting is a tough one there, I like Muzzleloading better and the bugling is hotter then too, PLUS this new muzzleloading permit that is by the unit vs. whole state might be a good thing for us who dislike hunters around us....have to see on that.

If you tell me what weapon you want to hunt with I can tell you a spot to go on the map and look for whatever you want to hunt. Keeping in mind that some areas boast an 8% success rate, I won't say you will fill a tag, but by gar, you'll be hunting and seeing game!

drop me an email, its a year or more til I remember this place exists and check in!

Hold the phone Jim... what do you have against pronghorn? I'm just kidding but they serve as a great first western hunt for many easterners that haven't hunted out here before. It's a great way to get your feet wet in western hunting. But I can see what you are saying about wanting to hunt elk and mule deer above a pronghorn, especially if you are maybe only looking at being able to come out here once because of age, financial or any other reasons. Wyoming is a great option for what you guys are looking to do but do not overlook Colorado. We also have the party hunt option where either all of you will draw or none of you will. Our over the counter bull tags are great too. Although I would suggest putting in for cow tags as a party and then adding over the counter bull tags once you guys draw the cow tags. Our deer hunts have gone to a total draw system so there are no over the counter tags. Just put in for the same units that you guys try to draw cow tags in. Hop on the CDOW's statistics page and start planning.