2012 Colorado Archery Elk

Fellow IDO’ers,
I am planning an early fall archery elk hunt in the ruthless state of Colorado. I have been there twice, and came home with meat (BIG Cow) once. Two years ago we scored, and last year I felt like I was on a Moose/Mule deer hunt in the same area. Saw dozens of groups of Mule deer, with 4 of them being “high class”, and two moose that would have been book for sure. We had a very hard time even seeing any elk, and managed no shots. Both hunts were a “success” in my book, as I mostly enjoy the planning and the friendships with a couple of close friends and my Father. We have ruled out this area (Unit 16 near Steamboat, but more north.
I am wondering if anyone has completed any DIY elk hunts in the archery season, what kind of work you put in, near which areas, etc. I am not asking for honey holes or your exact spots..just wondering what everyone else had experienced. I realize CO is not considered a trophy state, and there are a LOT of hunters, but I also find ways to get away via maps, GPS, and foot. I have been to Wyoming/Montana, and would eventually like to end up in Arizona/New Mexico for a trophy hunt, but for now CO is the destination.
We do not use horses or 4 wheelers, and quite frankly, we will go to places that are not “accessible” without horses as they would say.
Please post experiences, stories, or any tips you may have.

Ive hunted near Hotchkiss Colorado. I gotta say it was one of the greatest times Ive ever had on a hunt. I saw Elk and passed on some cows and ended up coming home with a tag sandwich but loved it. We did use wheelers and it worked out well for us. Our base camp was near a small lake we used for bath (cold as hell-o) and we ate traut from it for two meals. We plan on going again next year to the same spot as one of the guys we went with has been there 5 times and came home with bulls 4 of the 5 years. One thing I would like to try is to hunt from a climber stand. I know the locals view it as cheating but I think it would be a great expierence. I always had my .40 cal with me as well and had one bear at about 50 yrds when I was sitting in some down fall…here are a few pics…nothing with a tag on it but what a great time….Good luck tp you..Jay