What is the best state to live in as a archery elk hunter
- Thread starter Pack mule
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gonhunting247
Veteran member
- Jan 21, 2014
- 1,216
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Probably not the best choice of states, but OR has pretty liberal OTC archery elk seasons for the majority of the units. The season is right at 1 month long too! Just FYI.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Elkhunter96
Active Member
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Arizona the best for quality. Wyoming for best combo of quality and quantity with great draw odds for limited entry tags and general tags available every year.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
Ya...you might want to narrow it down more than just having good archery opportunities, because like stated above; There are multiple states that make a resident hunter plenty happy
bghunter
Active Member
I think any western state that you can make enough income and free time for out of state hunting. Hunting same area has some benefits but hunting different areas helps you learn more. Those OTC tags and easy drawing tags are good for opportunity and meat hunting in most cases but applying in different states and building points will let you hunt in areas producing big bulls with very low pressure, that is why I am applying in different states. Maybe WY, CO, MO and some other states residents are not agree with me but that is my opinion, let's see what elk states residents saying.
JimP
Administrator
For just plain hunting elk with OTC archery tags you can't beat Colorado. Lots of elk and lots of National Forest and BLM.
I'm not sure what Wyoming draw is like or Montana's but they don't have as many elk as Colorado does.
Now if you are looking at a chance for a large trophy then residents in Utah, Arizona and even Colorado to a lesser degree have chances every year at bulls over 400 inches. I am also sure the Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana do also. I also know that Nevada has some great elk in it as well.
But to be able to hunt elk every year with a month long season during the rut it's Colorado.
I'm not sure what Wyoming draw is like or Montana's but they don't have as many elk as Colorado does.
Now if you are looking at a chance for a large trophy then residents in Utah, Arizona and even Colorado to a lesser degree have chances every year at bulls over 400 inches. I am also sure the Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana do also. I also know that Nevada has some great elk in it as well.
But to be able to hunt elk every year with a month long season during the rut it's Colorado.
Slugz
Veteran member
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!!!
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!!!
hoshour
Veteran member
From purely a number of B&C entries perspective, the current 3-yr moving average for B&C elk entries per year has MT and UT at 8.0, CO 7.7, NV 7.0, AZ 6.7, WY 5.0, ID 2.7 and NM 2.3 (many NM elk are from the Jicarilla Reservation).
In terms of B&C entries per hunter, UT and NV have been in an entirely different universe than the others and over the last 10-15 years you were almost 3X more likely to kill a B&C bull in UT than NV. However, UT in the early 2000s was putting well over 20 entries a year into the books, and I as I said above, that is now back down to 8. So, UT is probably now on a par with NV for odds of killing a booner elk.
AZ is above the rest, then NM and WY are ahead of ID and CO, which are about equal.
During UT's heyday, AZ was putting about 12-15 entries into the book each year, but the drought has cut that in half. So, AZ is now not nearly so much better than WY and NM in terms of B&C odds per hunter.
It's not all about B&C entries though, just giving you one perspective.
In terms of B&C entries per hunter, UT and NV have been in an entirely different universe than the others and over the last 10-15 years you were almost 3X more likely to kill a B&C bull in UT than NV. However, UT in the early 2000s was putting well over 20 entries a year into the books, and I as I said above, that is now back down to 8. So, UT is probably now on a par with NV for odds of killing a booner elk.
AZ is above the rest, then NM and WY are ahead of ID and CO, which are about equal.
During UT's heyday, AZ was putting about 12-15 entries into the book each year, but the drought has cut that in half. So, AZ is now not nearly so much better than WY and NM in terms of B&C odds per hunter.
It's not all about B&C entries though, just giving you one perspective.
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I would think MT, WY, OR, and maybe ID. It would depend on if you want to hunt every year and take smaller bulls or if your looking to kill big Bulls. States like Nv you have to wait 10 years after you draw a tag to start to build points and draw again. ID has OTC tags for non res for general areas but have draws for the good spots. OTC areas are insane with hunters everywhere but you can hunt every year. I believe MT and WY are the same way but the Trophy quality is better.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
The trouble with Utah...you may draw one and possibly two limited entry bull tags in your lifetime, and starting out with no bonus points it will likely be a long wait. Utah would be far from my first choice for general season hunting.
JimP
Administrator
There are a number of units in Utah that are open to any bull and there are some nice elk in these units.
But for LE hunting a archery hunter may get in 3 or 4 hunts in their lifetime. I know of several hunters that have gone on a number of LE elk hunts while archery hunting. Now rifle hunts and muzzle loader hunts are a different animal.
But for LE hunting a archery hunter may get in 3 or 4 hunts in their lifetime. I know of several hunters that have gone on a number of LE elk hunts while archery hunting. Now rifle hunts and muzzle loader hunts are a different animal.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Another way to look at this is how to be most centrally located to hunt various states. I would want to be most centrally located to Eastern Nevada, Eastern Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Northern Arizona and Montana. I have often thought about around Flagstaff since the desert (warmer climate) is a few hours away, Lake Powell is nearby for summer recreation and fishing and being a resident of Arizona would give me a distinct advantage in the draw. Other areas I like are southern Utah, many places in Colorado, NW Wyoming or SW Montana.
Here are some advantages of being a resident versus a nonresident for the various states:
Arizona: As an Arizona resident you would have a huge advantage over nonresidents at drawing some spectacular elk tags.
Colorado: There are a lot of OTC tags you can buy as a resident or nonresident. Limited entry tags for the better elk units are hard to come by as a resident or non resident.
Nevada: Limited entry elk tags are hard to come by as a resident or nonresident.
Utah: Limited entry elk tags are hard to come by as a resident or nonresident. I would rather hunt the general season in other states.
Wyoming: As a resident you would have a considerable advantage at limited entry elk tags in quality units, you can also get the general elk license every year you don't draw. As a nonresident you can draw the general license every couple years but the odds for the better limited entry units is steep.
Montana: You can buy the general license as a nonresident. I don't follow Montana's limited entry elk too closely.
Idaho: I'll let others comment, i have never hunted Idaho and rarely apply there due to lousy nonresident draw odds.
New Mexico: Some great elk hunting, difficult draw odds as a nonresident for the better units. I'll let others talk about the resident issues.
NW Oregon: Archery tags are relatively easy to come by for a resident or nonresident unless we are speaking of the premium units then they are extremely difficult for both a resident and nonresident to draw.
To summarize:
So what state gives you the best leverage to hunt elk by being a resident versus a nonresident. My vote would go to either Wyoming and Arizona.
Where would you be most central to the better elk hunting in the west? The map below covers the vast majority of good elk country. The closer you are to the CENTER of the map, the more centrally located you are to the best hunting in the west.
Here are some advantages of being a resident versus a nonresident for the various states:
Arizona: As an Arizona resident you would have a huge advantage over nonresidents at drawing some spectacular elk tags.
Colorado: There are a lot of OTC tags you can buy as a resident or nonresident. Limited entry tags for the better elk units are hard to come by as a resident or non resident.
Nevada: Limited entry elk tags are hard to come by as a resident or nonresident.
Utah: Limited entry elk tags are hard to come by as a resident or nonresident. I would rather hunt the general season in other states.
Wyoming: As a resident you would have a considerable advantage at limited entry elk tags in quality units, you can also get the general elk license every year you don't draw. As a nonresident you can draw the general license every couple years but the odds for the better limited entry units is steep.
Montana: You can buy the general license as a nonresident. I don't follow Montana's limited entry elk too closely.
Idaho: I'll let others comment, i have never hunted Idaho and rarely apply there due to lousy nonresident draw odds.
New Mexico: Some great elk hunting, difficult draw odds as a nonresident for the better units. I'll let others talk about the resident issues.
NW Oregon: Archery tags are relatively easy to come by for a resident or nonresident unless we are speaking of the premium units then they are extremely difficult for both a resident and nonresident to draw.
To summarize:
So what state gives you the best leverage to hunt elk by being a resident versus a nonresident. My vote would go to either Wyoming and Arizona.
Where would you be most central to the better elk hunting in the west? The map below covers the vast majority of good elk country. The closer you are to the CENTER of the map, the more centrally located you are to the best hunting in the west.
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If archery elk is your deal, one advantage the far west offers, like OR, is multiple species. Roosevelt and Rocky. Wa (not sure about seasons anymore) and CA as well to lesser degrees, with a few Tule opportunities in CA. Then, if you expand into deer, three main species, Blacktail, Mule, Whitetail, for OR and WA (with WA having an advantage in WT) and a specialty fourth hard draw in OR for Columbian WT. Otherwise MT, ID, CO and WY seem top choices for elk.
If you fish at all, the far west offers great salt water options, have salmon and steelhead, with great river and lake fishing too. Getting your own crab and clams are big draws for many. So many states will fill the bill, and depending where you locate, you can have easy access to several other states.
For example, lots of ID folks head to the OR/WA coast for crab, salmon etc. annually, and don't have to deal with looney OR/WA politics. ID does have a small salmon & steelhead fishery. If in addition to elk, easy access to Ocean fisheries and being away from population centers is on your list, SW Oregon is very attractive, also makes a drive to Disneyland for the kids easier too.
If you fish at all, the far west offers great salt water options, have salmon and steelhead, with great river and lake fishing too. Getting your own crab and clams are big draws for many. So many states will fill the bill, and depending where you locate, you can have easy access to several other states.
For example, lots of ID folks head to the OR/WA coast for crab, salmon etc. annually, and don't have to deal with looney OR/WA politics. ID does have a small salmon & steelhead fishery. If in addition to elk, easy access to Ocean fisheries and being away from population centers is on your list, SW Oregon is very attractive, also makes a drive to Disneyland for the kids easier too.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
I'm with Tim, I love love love Oregon for the array of things to do. Fortunately the SW part of the state is quite conservative (as is Eastern Oregon) but the NW Willamette Valley crowd defines the state as a whole politically. The down side is a long haul to hunt the western states (1000 to 1500 miles east of us), but that is usually only a once or twice a year occurrence.
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Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
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.
Fink
Veteran member
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.
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.
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
- 793
- 148
Great topic. Coming from the Midwest hunting, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. I never realized how hard it was for locals to pull elk tags. Good luck.
TK
TK
TK, there are a few states where it is difficult for a resident to get a tag, mandatory waits etc., but many states offer you guaranteed elk hunts, every year and often long seasons. The rub is it may not be that glamorous top rated 370 bull hunting, or even the so called good hunts with 340 bulls for all. It may be a low success general season hunt. But a number of the states mentioned do offer annual hunting with large bulls on the menu if you learn an area and do some work. Weapon flexibility is often the key.