Best state for hunting between Idaho and Colorado?

[A3dhunter]

Looking to move and these are at the top of the list.

Anybody have experience with both, or have preference between the two?

I've been all over Colorado, never been to Idaho.

 

[nvarcher]

I would say CO, they have big Muley's, largest elk herd per state in the country, lots of sheep, and is even a sleeper for Speed goats. Idaho's deer and elk population are hurting, because of the wolves and griz moving in. I think Griz need to be delisted and there needs to be a little thinning out of their population.

 

[A3dhunter]

The population is one concern I have as well, places I used to go in Colorado and see few people in summer have been covered up in the last two years. The Colorado front range has a lot of people that head to the hills on the weekends.
Seems like there would be less crowding in Idaho in years to come.

 

[Drhorsepower]

Colorado holds the record for number of Boone and Crockett bucks. Just sayin. I wish I could move there. Also more centrally located to other states like NM, AZ, WY, and a hop skip and jump away from others. Being so close to those three states and living in Colorado would have me sold between the two.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Thats why I moved here when I retired. The main problem is that the real prime GMU's are really tough to draw. I have 10 pts for Antelope and still can't get a tag in units in the NW part of the state where the most public land is. I can go 10 miles from my place and usually get a cow elk anytime I want to apply for one. I have shot 5 or 6 buck deer in the 150-60 range less than a 1/2 mile away.

We also have some really great waterfowl hunting here. I usually shoot between 150 and 200 Honkers evry year. Lots of ducks to. I hunt hay fields with decoys and the goose shooting can be really good until the snow gets too deep for them to feed.

 

[BOHNTR]

Best state for hunting? Colorado by far.......especially if you're a bowhunter, as the odds of drawing a premium tag increase substantially as a resident.

 

[sjsmallfield]

I would say Co no question. Monster bucks, solid antelope and the largest elk herds in the U.S.. Don't be shocked with the amount of people that you see camping in the mountains during the summer these days. The outdoors industry is one of the only ones that have been growing in this downed economy. It's alot cheeper to go camping than, lets say take the family to Disneyland. Good luck!

 

[JNDEER]

I would say CA

 

[Drhorsepower]

I would say CA

Haha. That's funny.

 

[sjsmallfield]

I would say CA

You must be from CO. Lol. There is some good hunting here but it doesn't even compare to the other two states mentioned.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Colorado wins on trophy quality, but ID is the place if you are looking for solitude. There are areas of the Frank Church and Selway that don't see a hunter for years at a time.

 

[Drhorsepower]

No I'm from nevada and agree with you on great hunting in ca but not the best! And not the best location to bingo other states. I put in for ca every year! An underestimated state I think.

 

[sjsmallfield]

No I'm from nevada and agree with you on great hunting in ca but not the best! And not the best location to bingo other states. I put in for ca every year! An underestimated state I think.

I was actually asking jndeer if he was from CO but I found out he was from CA. Also I would agree that CA is underestimated for hunting. Still, every year I seem to see more and more guys in the woods each fall. What zones do you put in for in CA?

 

[A3dhunter]

I grew up out west in Cali. and I hunted in D5 and D6 growing up every year, spent plenty of time above Jackson, Ca summer camping. Even took a few dips in the ol' aquaduct up there after it comes out of Salt Springs Reservoir.

I can say, the hunting in California never compared to the hunting in Colorado.
I would say the fishing is a different story, but that's about it.


One of my problems with Colorado is with all the pressure on OTC land, it's getting to where you see a hunter or 10 in every drainage.
Since I've never hunted Idaho, I don't know how hard it is for residents to get decent elk and mule deer tags compared to Colorado.

 

[hoytnut]

Another vote for CO. Although I live in Utah, I'm only twenty miles from the Colorado border and have enjoyed what that great state has to offer as far as bowhunting opportunities.

 

[hardcore09]

Ive never hunted CO but im from Idaho and if you know where ur going there is some great OTC areas that will produce elk every year, we went 4-4 on good mature bulls this year, but i imagine CO wins on overall population and trophy quality.

 

[JNDEER]

I was actually asking jndeer if he was from CO but I found out he was from CA. Also I would agree that CA is underestimated for hunting. Still, every year I seem to see more and more guys in the woods each fall. What zones do you put in for in CA?

Nope, never hunted CO (yet).

I love hunting CA. Where else can you chase a blacktail in 100+ degree temps in velvet in July?? Nothing better, IMO.

 

[AvidHunterAbe]

As much as we all want to "keep everyone out" (this is not the modo for the whole state, very friendly people here) in reality CO is a much better choice. We have everything from WT out east, BIG muleys all over the state, opportunities for big elk, a decent amount of 80"+ Prong horn, decent moose if you can ever get a tag, and opportunities for book animals in all species mentioned. Also, if you're a hunting freak that likes to hunt everything on a regular basis like some of us, then I will tell you our pheasant numbers are on the rise for the past two season in a big way. Not to mention 250+ ducks and 300+ geese a year is easily do-able with the right drive and enough people skills to get you on lots of private land.

 

[T43]

As an Idaho native who was able to hunt white tail, mule deer, antelope, elk, bear, lion, wolves (2 tags), turkey, ducks, geese, grouse and various varmints for under $200 without worrying about a draw I would have to say... Colorado . We need NR $$$ to keep our costs down!