I only have a year left being stationed in Wyoming and I have to fill out my BOP (base of preference) list soon. My wife has picked out bases in Washington, Idaho, Utah, and South Dakota. So, my question is, in what order would you rank these states as far as hunting opportunities go and why?
States Ranked by Hunting Opportunities
- Thread starter Vorhes
- Start date
firebeck
Very Active Member
Well I have never hunted anywhere but good ole Idaho so ??? I do know that Idaho offers a lot for all sorts of game animal large and small!!
laxwyo
Very Active Member
mnhoundman
Veteran member
mntnguide
Very Active Member
Your leaving the best one!! Wyoming opportunities are amazing, but being that your wife has a major say im sure..if those are her choices, Id easily pick the state i was raised in, Idaho.
tim
Veteran member
tdcour
Veteran member
Lived in SD for almost 5 years. Great state for hunting deer and antelope, but elk is next to impossible to draw. Lots of walk in areas to hunt, but they do get pretty busy. I really don't know much about the other states so I can't help you there. I like SD because there is no state tax and they are very gun friendly. I don't think SD can beat Idaho or Utah for hunting opportunities so I'd put SD 3rd
Mr.G
New Member
Pretty much sums it up. Drew elk last year with 8 years preference and it should have taken 4-5 more years. Lots of public land opportunities and some big deer taken every year but elk, sheep and goat tags are like gold in this state.
badgerbob
Active Member
A quick thought here you may want to check out. While bow hunting, here in Ore. I ran into a couple of Army guys, I think they said they were from Penn. I asked why they picked Ore. thinking if I were paying for out of state hunting I would opt for Wyoming. They informed me that Ore. had started, this year, allowing military people to hunt with a resident tag and license, no matter were they were from. I see no reason they would be untruthful about this and they were hunting Ore. Check it out and if it is so I would go with Idaho with the idea I could hunt either state paying resident fees. More hunting opportunities for the buck. Also Ore. is fairly reasonable on draw fees. Thank you for your service and I hope all works out well for you. BB
ore hunter
Very Active Member
- Jul 25, 2014
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badger bob has good idea if Oregon is on your map,,,I myself would pick Utah out of your list choices as that's the place of large elk...don't know much about s d ,,,another possible state you might look at is Nevada? as stated Wyoming is a amazing place also.
tim
Veteran member
I do belive a lot of states are getting on this military bandwagon for non residents to hunt at resident rates. My brother in law keeps wanting me to take him elk hunting, because he can buy tags in Idaho cheap because he is ex military.
Thanks for all the replies. I just looked at the Oregon regs and sure enough if you are active military you can get tags and permits a resident rates no mater where you claim residency or where you are stationed!! Most states have a military clause but you have to be stationed there. Can anyone tell me anything about hunting in Utah or Washington? Those are the wife's first choices.
sra61
Member
Washington would be last choice. Too many people. Idaho first probably then South Dakota, then Utah, Washington last. Idaho has lots of choices for elk, deer, bear, sheep, goat and moose. Also steelhead and salmon. I personally like Montana.
ore hunter
Very Active Member
- Jul 25, 2014
- 699
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Ive hunted the Utah general deer and have done well,,,4 in 4 years,though the biggest is an 18" 4x3,,,but Utah does have some nice critters,,,even when drawn down to the general deer category.and that is in not the most wanted units..of course if you can ever pull a limited tag deer,elk,or mtn goat,there are nice ones there,plus a lot of the country is really awesome and pretty.
tim
Veteran member
vohres
My brother in law is retired living in the state of Washington. you might check into the Idaho military thing.
My brother in law is retired living in the state of Washington. you might check into the Idaho military thing.
I lived in Idaho, there is some pretty amazing country there! If you like big game and wilderness, I think that is where I would pick. Utah has some great country, but also vast stretches of semi-arid, very short shrub steppe. If you like bird (upland and waterfowl) hunting South Dakota is great, especially central and western SD. The people are VERY down home and friendly in SD. Eastern SD is pretty well farmed over. And, SD winters can be long and brutal. I have never been to Washington.
sneakypete
Veteran member
toadmeister
Member
sodaksooner
Member
- Jul 7, 2014
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- 0
SD is great, but being pretty dumb to the others, I couldn't give you much regarding them.
Couple of things about SD.
Bird hunting is great.
Lots of public and walk in out west.
East river is hard to get on to hunt. Mostly farm land, not as much public.
Hard to draw an elk tag. Might as well forget it if you are only there for 3 or 4 years.
Actually deer tags are pretty limited right now. Word has kind of gotten out and it is actually kind of hard to get tags in areas that used to be a gimme.
Rapid city is a really cool town as is spearfish up north. Lots to do, non hunting related.
I believe almost every state allows military personnel stationed in that state resident status. That is pretty cool about ALL active military being granted resident status.
Shoot, if you are in Wy right now drive over to the hills and check it out. Really cool country.
My only exposure to other states on your list is UT, and that is only because i am applying for pref there...lol.
Couple of things about SD.
Bird hunting is great.
Lots of public and walk in out west.
East river is hard to get on to hunt. Mostly farm land, not as much public.
Hard to draw an elk tag. Might as well forget it if you are only there for 3 or 4 years.
Actually deer tags are pretty limited right now. Word has kind of gotten out and it is actually kind of hard to get tags in areas that used to be a gimme.
Rapid city is a really cool town as is spearfish up north. Lots to do, non hunting related.
I believe almost every state allows military personnel stationed in that state resident status. That is pretty cool about ALL active military being granted resident status.
Shoot, if you are in Wy right now drive over to the hills and check it out. Really cool country.
My only exposure to other states on your list is UT, and that is only because i am applying for pref there...lol.