Its time to stop dreaming of elk and start planning for elk.  Need some suggestions.  Not concerned about big bulls.  Would rather hunt a state or area that has a good population of elk. That would give you good shot opportunities at cow or legal bull. If there are guides to recomend, please do. Looking forward to adding suggestions to my planning notebook.

Colorado has over the counter tags at a somewhat reasonable price.  They have areas with quite the number of animals.  They also have a lot of other hunters thinking the same thing.  With a little pre-planning, you can do a self hunt easily there with expectations of seeing game, and a shot being very possible.
ChuckC

Utah limited entry units for cows and spike bulls. Get to see mega giant bulls lots of elk and beautiful country

Interseptor, if you come to the CTA shoot next saturday and look me up, I can point you to some good areas in Utah.  Stixbowdrew is right, in certain areas you can bowhunt cows and spikes while seeing and hearing awesome bulls up close and personal, at a reasonable total cost for your first DIY elk hunt.

You can get a discounted OTC cow only tag here in CO.  PLANNING!!??  You don't need no steeenking planning!  Season opens Aug 30th, just throw your stuff in the car and drive on out.  If you are coming out, I'll PM you my phone number and go over your maps with you when you arrive.

The farther away from quads you get the better your experience will be in regards to animals encountered and as a whole (less noise/disruptive trail use)

So with that in mind plan away. Another thing to look at and find out about is if your area of interest sees a lot of parallel usage from day hikers, mtn bikers and the such.
Also, choose a couple alternative areas you can look at while there 1) in case the first choice sucks and 2) because the second choice sucks.
Finally, try to choose a place that will grow with you and that you can grow into as you learn the area.
Its been proven that knowing your area better and better is superior to hunting new areas every year or two.

Joshua

Get ready for the most fun you will ever have hunting.

I have never hunted outside of Utah so it's hard for me to compare Utah to other states. I think some of Utah's spike units can be good, if you don't mind not hunting horns. FYI our elk hunt starts real early (mid august) and the spike units season is shorter.