To the OP:
Seriously, if you can afford it, use a guide for your first elk, so you know what you're getting yourself into. One just can't comprehend how much work getting a mature elk out is until they experience it. Maybe look into a trespass fee so you can at least hunt close to roads with a realistic chance for success.
There may be some relatively cheap guided ranch hunts in NM a guy could book to get his feet wet...I don't really know.
