huntingson,

Again... thanks for the PM. I did see your recommendation to go by the Red Barn, but glossed over your question about where around Montrose. To be honest, I'm not sure. I've got a neighbor who's become a good friend and almost grandfather-like to my four-year-old who moved in across the street from me; he's been out to the same area somewhere around Montrose for close to 20 years or so. He's killed quite a few elk, and he invited me and another neighbor to tag along this year as his usual hunting party has went seperate ways to do their own things these days. I truly have no idea where we're going other than "near Montrose."

Matt,

I probably summed up a lot of your questions up above, too. I want to tag along with this gentleman for a few years until my oldest gets old enough to start going with me. Then I can bring him, my wife and our youngest and start our own family vacation trips out there somewhere.

It's totally public land, and about as DIY as you could possibly get. I think we'll get out there with one day to scout around before the season opens. I've already thought about wishing I could update every couple days or so, instead of having to come back with all of it at once. But... if it's anything like when Matt / PA came out here and we hunted so hard (and it'll probably be worse in the mountains and all the hiking I'll be doing), I probably wouldn't have the energy to write up anything on a nightly basis anyway!