I hunt public land without a guide. Hunting mule deer was my introduction to CO and I have retired here. Send me your email with a PM and I will send you some pics from our area. A good ranch bull will cost 10 - 15k, a guided hunt would be 2 - 5k, and public land hunts (and we have good success rates in our area) are basically cost of transportation, lodging, and licenses. Right now it is taking three years to draw for bucks in good areas (CO is divided into areas) but you can buy OTC for bulls second season and later in some areas. Sometimes you can find a private land buck tag for 1,000 - 1,200 (plus cost of license) and increase your chances (after securing landowner permission). Took a 29 inch 6 x 5 with good mass last year - nice buck.