What is the best state to live in as a archery elk hunter

[mntnguide]

My wife and I have been giving some very serious thought to moving out West the last few years. She does Radiology/CT/MRI, so anywhere with a hospital works for her, and I work from home, so anywhere with internet connection works for me.. Hunting opportunities would be incredibly high on my list, as would maintaining a somewhat reasonable cost of living (coming from KC, we're exceptionally spoiled in that regard). The desert SW is out for us, as the wife doesnt like it down there.... So, areas I've given serious consideration to:
Cheyenne, Casper or Jackson in WY. Obviously cost of living in Jackson would be high, but there are other things that make up for it. I'm not sure you can beat the quality of the OTC resident opportunity in WY
Ft Collins in CO. Short drive to a ton of elk opportunities, lots of things to do other than hunting, weather isnt terrible. Allows you to live 'out west' without being in the middle of no where. Delicious beer!
Billings or Bozeman in MT. Don't know anything about MT, but there's something alluring about it.
Boise ID. I like Idaho, plenty of fun stuff to do there, and you're close to quite a bit of good hunting. Boise is just a touch too far West for what I'd want though.
Flagstaff AZ. Would need to take the wife down there, to see how awesome it is. I wouldnt mind living in AZ.

I have no desire to live in Oregon, Utah or Nevada. Seattle is a neat place, but I don't think I'd want to live in WA, again, way too far west.

Anyways, thats just a few of the areas that I've given consideration to. Over the next few years, we will have visited all of them, and will hopefully pull the trigger and get out of KC eventually.

Jackson, wy isnt just high..its absolutely absurd the cost of living..I live there ha. . But the area like you said makes up for it quite a bit in the amount of stuff to do. If i were to be moving my life out here, you could always look at Alpine/star valley region. Its just south of jackson, in the heart of Big mule deer country and the cost of living is far below jackson with the perks of the entire region as well. Most people who live and work in Jackson with famililes etc, live in either Alpine, wy or over the hill in Driggs/Victor Idaho. . Bozeman is a growing city for sure, but you cant go wrong with Montana. Great hunting opportunity and blue ribbon fishing all around

 

[Fink]

Jackson, wy isnt just high..its absolutely absurd the cost of living..I live there ha. . But the area like you said makes up for it quite a bit in the amount of stuff to do. If i were to be moving my life out here, you could always look at Alpine/star valley region. Its just south of jackson, in the heart of Big mule deer country and the cost of living is far below jackson with the perks of the entire region as well. Most people who live and work in Jackson with famililes etc, live in either Alpine, wy or over the hill in Driggs/Victor Idaho. . Bozeman is a growing city for sure, but you cant go wrong with Montana. Great hunting opportunity and blue ribbon fishing all around

Alpine/star valley area is nice, I elk hunt Idaho fairly near there, and like the area. I can't see the Mrs liking it though. And personally, I think I'd rather live in town, simply because I still like to be close to the grocery store, the gas station, and bars and restaurants. Lots to think of when making a move like this!

 

[mntnguide]

Alpine/star valley area is nice, I elk hunt Idaho fairly near there, and like the area. I can't see the Mrs liking it though. And personally, I think I'd rather live in town, simply because I still like to be close to the grocery store, the gas station, and bars and restaurants. Lots to think of when making a move like this!

Yep i understand all that..If you can make it in Jackson, its an amazing place to live, no matter what everyone else in WY thinks of ya! haha. There are plenty of outdoors loving people and good people in jackson that arent rich and snobs like people try to make all of jackson out to be. The hospital is a dang good one as well and im sure they would be looking for qualified people often.

 

[JimP]

Looking at my map, does anyone know what's up down in St. George, Utah. I believe that's were we were two summers ago when we drove from Lake Powell to Las Vegas. There was a ton of new construction in that area.

St. George has been growing ever since the early 70's and the only thing that is going to stop it is the availability of water for them to drink. Right now they are talking about running a pipeline from Lake Powell over to that area so that Utah can use more of the allocation of Colorado River water.

 

[Pack mule]

Thanks for all the suggestions! You guys are like Google, only better! I would like to refine my search with a few more details. I'm starting to guide for elk this year with a outfit in southern Colorado and in the future I would like to start my own outfitting business. I have a passion for elk hunting and all kinds of fishing.

Does anyone have any recommendations on some GPS coordinates of a place where I could set up shop and come close to cash flow?

It would be ideal if it were an hour within a decent college that I can utilize my G.I. Bill.

Are there any niches in the outfitting world that could be profitable for a poor boy to make a living Hunting fishing and loving every day (no homo)?





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[Pack mule]

The main reason I settled in Colorado was this subject.....I based my decision on sheer numbers, aggressive management of herds and hunt opportunity. I'm in it for the experience and don't need a shot at a huge trophy.......I consider any archery elk on the ground a trophy and am quite happy with the bulls in the 310-340 range.....now that being said if you are living in state and can scout more, you will find the 350-360 animals.......not as many, but they are here.........sheer numbers here will force you every year to make a decision on passing on cows if you have a either sex tag......or you go in the same GMU with an either sex and a cow tag in hand...well worth the price IMO.

Reason 2 was the very aggressive youth hunt programs here, leftover tag availability, A & B tag system, late season cow hunting ability and lastly and most important free and unfettered access to National Forest/ BLM. I've hunted the past 5 years from the same trailhead during archery elk and have yet to have hunts messed up from other hunters, and have been into plenty of animals coming in quiet then about Sept 10th screaming till 1st rifle. Seems like every year I go through the same drill of thinking we should start hunting another state.....I do all the research and always come to the same conclusion......why travel, I got it better here.

Taking all the emotion out of it.......if you make a sheer data based decision based on the above and comparison shop......I think its pretty hard to beat Colorado.......moose herd is going through the roof and healthy.......good fishing to fit many styles......turkey numbers are solid......rabbit/dusky grouse numbers are always hi......Id say the only negative/other is our pheasant#s which seem to fluctuate heavy based upon how many spring hail storms we get (damaging eggs).....easily solved though with a quick trip to South Dakota......antelope here is avg Id say and takes a little work......only animal we hunt out of state hunt is WY antelope and its an easy drive up.

If I were to define the definition of "caters".........opportunity, tag availability, public access Colorado is hard to beat.

Feel free to send any questions you want........and in case you were not counting ... 99 DAYS TILL THE COLORADO ARCHERY OPENER!!!

Thanks for taking your time to sell your state Colorado should hire you on full time. Im on zillow right now looking for land!

 

[Dos Perros]

For me, the answer is obviously Wyoming. As a resident you can get a general tag every year over the counter, that's a tag that takes a non-resident a point or two to get. Also not many Wyoming residents archery hunt, so you're likely to have the place to yourself. Also, as a resident you have access to the many wilderness areas that the non-resident can't access without a guide. The location is nice because in the bordering states of MT, ID, or CO, you can also secure elk tags every year.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Looking at my map, does anyone know what's up down in St. George, Utah. I believe that's were we were two summers ago when we drove from Lake Powell to Las Vegas. There was a ton of new construction in that area.

I lived in St George for a few years as a teen. Wish I was into hunting like I am now when I lived there. We just fished and shot lizards.

 

[mntnguide]

Thanks for all the suggestions! You guys are like Google, only better! I would like to refine my search with a few more details. I'm starting to guide for elk this year with a outfit in southern Colorado and in the future I would like to start my own outfitting business. I have a passion for elk hunting and all kinds of fishing.

Does anyone have any recommendations on some GPS coordinates of a place where I could set up shop and come close to cash flow?

It would be ideal if it were an hour within a decent college that I can utilize my G.I. Bill.

Are there any niches in the outfitting world that could be profitable for a poor boy to make a living Hunting fishing and loving every day (no homo)?

..You dont just "start" your own outfitting business basically anywhere..You have to get permits that have already been given out many years ago, which means you need to buy out a current outfitter. If its going to be a decent area and outfit that you can actually make a living with...expect 150k+ easy.

 

[xtreme]

I have the perfect location and house/cabin for sale in southern Colorado on the Conejos. You can walk from home and hunt elk trophy deer and bear. Drive less than a dozen miles and hunt antelope. We have sheep and mountain lion plus the best snowmobiling in the entire world. I have reduced the price by $80,000. I am too old to keep playing and broke my lower leg while helping my grandson in the Gila last winter.

 

[hoshour]

I have the perfect location and house/cabin for sale in southern Colorado on the Conejos. You can walk from home and hunt elk trophy deer and bear. Drive less than a dozen miles and hunt antelope. We have sheep and mountain lion plus the best snowmobiling in the entire world. I have reduced the price by $80,000. I am too old to keep playing and broke my lower leg while helping my grandson in the Gila last winter.

I spent a lot of time in southern and southwestern CO a while back and that's great country. I was just there last month again.

For my tastes, CO and MT are overall the most beautiful states in the West. Both have terrific hunting and fishing. Wyoming may be the best hunting state to be a resident and it's right in-between the other two.

 

[Pack mule]

I have the perfect location and house/cabin for sale in southern Colorado on the Conejos. You can walk from home and hunt elk trophy deer and bear. Drive less than a dozen miles and hunt antelope. We have sheep and mountain lion plus the best snowmobiling in the entire world. I have reduced the price by $80,000. I am too old to keep playing and broke my lower leg while helping my grandson in the Gila last winter.

Send me more information about your land

 

[BKC]

Im biased. Been a lot of places but only hunted a few states. Colorado is hard to beat. It is easy to apply for any tag all over this country and hunt in those states when you draw but if this argument is about a state to live and hunt and fish in and have tons of outdoor fun, then look at Colorado with 52 peaks above 14,000'.