I did a long winded reply this am, but the TG website crashed. Try again.
We have done a hunt every other year since 2003.
We fly out of Boston (SWA= 2 free bags) to Denver, rent an SUV, drive west, and stay at motel at last big town. Next morning we fuel up, get breakfast, pick up food, drive up to the mountain, set up camp at end of a National Forest road, and get 2 hour hunt in. We take out our backpacks as a carry on's, each check a gear bag, share a bow case, and one 60qt cooler for camp gear. We hunt 8-9 days, break camp, and get motel near airport for two night stay. If we harvest an elk, we UPS 5-day ground ship our gear and take meat home as checked baggage and carry ons. This has averaged $1500-$2100 pp per trip total, depending on animals taken. This is for Limited draw areas or OTC areas in Colorado.
If 2 people drive out,(2200 miles) stay 1st and last nights in motels, bring own food and gear, camp, gas etc. you could plan on spending $1000-$1200 pp per round trip hunt. PM me if you need more details.
Search for Trad Gang excellent posts such as: Come along on a DIY elk hunt, (Gil Verney) or Operation long bow elk 2016, (Pistol Pete)
Do it before you or your Dad are too old!