Favorite State for Hunting Elk?

[hoshour]

I'm doing some research for an article and I'm interested in your opinions.

1) What is your favorite state for hunting elk? Why?

2) How are things looking this year?

 

[BKC]

Colorado, because you can hunt all over this state depending on your weapon of choice for only $ 49.00

There are a lot of hunters in this state but with horses and mules you can still get away!

 

[hoshour]

What if you were a nonresident?

 

[luckynv]

$601.00 nonresident, Colorado has the largest numbers of Elk of any state and I think the most flexible hunting. Over the counter or draw. I submitted on an either sex tag, They also have seven?? I think separate seasons. God bless ya'll

 

[OregonJim]

I've been pretty lucky.
My job has allowed me to hunt Resident Elk in WA & OR.
I've also NR hunted UT, CO, and this year I add WY.
I've tagged at least two elk in all the states but UT.

I honestly can't tell you a favorite.
They all have both good and bad aspects.
It truly is what you make it !!!!!!

And things are looking great.
Tags for three states (1 bow, 1 rifle, and 1 both)

 

[Timberstalker]

Oregon is the only state I've ever hunetd for elk. I don't know what it's like anywhere else, yet. I'm going to Wyoming soon, I will let you know what it's like compared to Or.

 

[Musket Man]

I will say Idaho because there is good otc opportunity and it is pretty close to home for me. Honestly I have never actually hunted elk there but I saw some really nice bulls on deer hunts and camping trips and have been trying to hunt elk there for the last 4 years but it just hasnt worked out mostly due to other tags I have drawn. Not that Im complaining about drawing tags

 

[marcusvdk]

Any state I have a tag for

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

This year my favorite state is Colorado. Next year my favorite state will be Arizona

With that said my three best bulls came from New Mexico.

 

[BKC]

What if you were a nonresident?

Then you are sol unless you move or want to pay more.

 

[BKC]

Any state I have a tag for

Best answere.

 

[30Hart]

For a resident, Wyoming. For a nonresident, any state you can get a tag in.

 

[buckykm1]

Any State that I have a Elk tag in, is my favorite State.

Kevin

 

[firebeck]

Idaho because I live there and can't afford out of state right now. Good OTC and have seen some awesome bulls in draw only units.

 

[minn elk chaser]

I think Arizona because of the quality and lack of hunters. All states have their good areas but you need to wait so long for the good ones. Enjoy everyone like it is your last.

 

[PointsHunter]

Have hunted elk many years in UT, CO, WY and this year adding ID to the list. Utah for the quality (if you can get a tag), CO for the quantity and WY for the experience (far less hunters than other states). For casual good time hunt I pick colorado. For a state where I really hunt - a Wyoming tag is hard to beat. Utah just too hard to get quality tag unless you want to spike hunt (which can also be fun if you have your honey holes).

I'd really love to add Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico to my list.

 

[BOHNTR]

Favorite???.......by far, Arizona. Been drawn four times for archery bull......each one was an incredible hunt/experience.

 

[SansSouci]

Hi horshour,

My advice is to not pick a single state, which was a huge mistake I made. My advice is to start acquiring bonus points in AZ. NV, & UT. From the looks of things, Wyoming is back in the ring for huge trophies.

BTW, from my experience and knowledge that I've gained by talking with people who know far more than me and from helpful posters here, it will take at least 20 bonus points to have a realistic chance of getting in an authentic trophy area.

I like Colorado, but so does just about every elk hunter in the nation, in the world for that matter. That makes reality of getting in one of Colorado's premier trophy elk units a very long shot.

One more thing that a biologist told me many years ago: look for areas with rich mineral content that spurs huge antler growth. Also, a game warden told me that 90% of all huge animals will be found in 10% of a unit's area. I believe that 10% is called edge. But I might be wrong about that.

Best of luck to you.

 

[SansSouci]

PointsHunter,

I agree. In a previous post of mine about trophy elk states, I completely forgot about NM.

If you have the resources, the San Carlos Apache Reservation in AZ has HUGE bulls. Years ago I saw a photo of whom I believe was one the reservation's prosecutors with a massive elk he had killed on the reservation. But getting a tag there is difficult and extremely expensive.

 

[hoshour]

I'm not looking to pick a single state, I think you're right about that. I was more looking for feedback.

On the other hand, you want to get familiar with an area you can hunt in your home state as often as you can draw it. I think most people are better off hunting a green chip unit in their own state, especially if it can be drawn as a second choice.

It's pretty hard to get to know units in 4-5 states and it is pretty expensive to apply in 4-5 states for elk, deer, antelope, sheep...