I would like to investigate the options for a cow elk hunt and have no idea where to start. I am interested in a meat hunt and cost is a factor. However I would prefer to spend a bit more to try to be successful rather than return home empty-handed.

Is there a place and time where cow tags are available and a clueless non-resident would have a decent chance to bag one?

IF you decide to try Wyoming, non-resident elk applications are due this month.

go to the UT DWR website and navigate to the CWMU section. They sell cow elk hunts to non-residents on private land (12,000 acre minimum to be in the program). Typically these will be colder weather hunts, 3-5 days, nearly 100% success, and average about $1,000 for NRs.

I got a buddy who might still have a land owners tag in NM. If the neighboring ranch is not hunting I would say your odds are 100%. It is not your usual elk hunt. You will have to get hotel in Alamagordo which is 30 minutes from the ranch. Ranch is small and if the elk do not come out of the neighbors crop circle and bed on the ranch your odds are zero. If the neighbors are not shooting the elk in the alfalfa you will be good to go. We sit on a train trestle at first light and glass. If they come on the ranch to bed go to them, if not your done for the day.

Best bargain is the Wyoming "reduced price" cow calf hunt. The price is $288.00. The hunts take place in areas where the game and fish feels that the herd is either out of balance (bull cow ratio) or to many for the country. In Wyoming if you hunt in a wilderness area you must have a guide, however there a millions of acres of non-wilderness. Also if you are drawn on this hunt you may also continue to build preference points. Application is open now, and Wyoming has an excellent web site to get information from.

This. And check out the Hunter Management Areas (HMA). Private lands accessible to anyone for hunting. Not a sure thing by any means and some of them see real pressure.

I too would suggest some phone or e-mail exchanges with some Wyoming bio's or game officers. Start on their website.

Colorado is an easy (in terms of elk hunting) state to learn to hunt in, and an inexpensive place to shoot a cow as well. If you look at the statistics, you'll find that you can find places with relatively high success rates that can be drawn with zero points.