I'd like to go hunting deer in colorado or N.M. next year but have never hunted out of state. Any tips on where to go, laws up there, how to find a place etc ?

Contact THF'er Bullzibrat i think he could help you

I'm no expert but I have done, on my own, what you are asking about.

Colorado will generally be easier to get access to than NM. If you are just wanting to go hunting, go muledeer hunting in CO since the tags are cheaper than elk. Plan on hiking in a few miles to get away from roads/crowds. If you enjoy your hunt and see a few elk, now you've got an elk hunting spot to return to.

Regarding application deadlines, CO is usually around the 1st of April and NM, I think, is June. Go ahead and apply in both states for whatever species you might want to hunt. In NM, you might get drawn for the hunt of a lifetime since it's a random draw.

Some guys, myself included, do this with those credit card offers of no interest until a year or so. Then, when the refund check comes back, I pay it off. In CO, you'll also get a preference point which over time can move you to the head of the draw list for a given unit (some units take several years to have enough to be considered).

As far as dates, areas, etc. go to the NM Game & Fish and CO division of Wildlife websites to start. The Monster Muleys website has plenty of info on how to hunt a particular species and draw odds for a given location.

Rarely will you find info. on a specific area unless it is a low odds draw area and the poster essentially believes he'll never get drawn again. That said, if I was going mule deer hunting in CO., I'd look at the South San Juan Wilderness area of CO because it's large and mostly roadless. If you get back in there a few miles, you may encounter elk hunters but most folks won't go very far for a mule deer.

Finally, and probably most importantly, start getting in shape. If you are in shape, get in better shape with particular emphasis on thigh and hamstring endurance.

Again, I'm no expert and these are just beginning items. Enjoy the journey because the hunt will be way to short no matter how long you go.

really good information...Thanks