I am a NM resident and can shed a little light on NM's system. There are no OTC permits for elk. NM gives landowners about 50% of all elk permits, and they can sell or use them as they wish. Expect the landowner's cow permits to run between $500 and $1000, and bull permits to start at around $5000 for good areas (just a guess). Something to watch out for on landowner permits is whether they are for the property only or are unit wide. For non-residents on the draw, things are bleak. Something like 86% of the remaining tags (after landowners are rewarded) are reserved for residents. Then 10% of what is left is allocated for hunters that will use guides. That leaves 6% for the average joe non-resident hunter. There are no preference points, so a first time applicant has the same chance as that guy who put in for years. I suggest one option is to put in for NM, and then go to Colorado OTC if that doesn't work out. I don't know enough about WY or ID to offer an opinion on them.