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Elk Hunting - Wyoming or Idaho
Posted on 10/27/23 at 10:10 am
Posted on 10/27/23 at 10:10 am
A few buddies and my self are trying to do an elk hunt either 2024 or 2025.
We want to do it unguided knowing very well we may strike out. Does anybody have any recommendations on where to start with tags and areas? Any other tips to get the ball rolling from someone who has done it unguided public land?
I know I have more research to do but figured I’d get the OB perspective.
We want to do it unguided knowing very well we may strike out. Does anybody have any recommendations on where to start with tags and areas? Any other tips to get the ball rolling from someone who has done it unguided public land?
I know I have more research to do but figured I’d get the OB perspective.
10
Posted on 10/27/23 at 10:47 am to IcedOutBart
There's no guarantee you get tags for either state in that time frame.
Get a gohunt membership and start researching.
I have 3 points in Wyoming but are waiting to apply due to bad winter kill
Get a gohunt membership and start researching.
I have 3 points in Wyoming but are waiting to apply due to bad winter kill
Posted on 10/27/23 at 11:22 am to IcedOutBart
I highly recommend you and your friends frequent the Eastman's Hunting website and become a sponge. Research your future hunt and go down a rabbit hole with all the information you will find.
Posted on 10/27/23 at 11:30 am to IcedOutBart
Sounds like you have zero Wyoming points. You won’t draw.
I believe you need to purchase an Idaho tag as soon as they come out. Like sitting on the computer that day.
I believe you need to purchase an Idaho tag as soon as they come out. Like sitting on the computer that day.
Posted on 10/27/23 at 12:11 pm to IcedOutBart
If you just want to camp with your buddies, stop reading. If you want to go on quality elk hunts and kill a few, read on.
Sign up for this-
LINK
Every state is different. A service is well worth it. I also like Epic.
I’ll rank the states-
Arizona - mostly points based, but they also take a few from a random draw. I had an amazing archery hunt there this fall. I missed one and got close on several others. I’ll apply every year that I’m able to walk.
New Mexico- Similar to Arizona in terms of quality. No points. All random draw. Good units are less than 10% chance.
Wyoming- points based. You need 4 points or better to draw a general tag. WYO is awesome. Plenty of opportunities and good hunting.
Colorado- points and over the counter. Lots of elk. Often there are deer hunts at the same time, so there’ll be lots of people. The over the counter units are often a cluster. Colorado is physically grueling and you often won’t be able to get away from people.
Consider cow elk hunts instead of bulls to get started. You’ll have a much better chance of drawing and filling a tag. You can also use it to scout an area for when you have a bull tag later on.
Sign up for this-
LINK
Every state is different. A service is well worth it. I also like Epic.
I’ll rank the states-
Arizona - mostly points based, but they also take a few from a random draw. I had an amazing archery hunt there this fall. I missed one and got close on several others. I’ll apply every year that I’m able to walk.
New Mexico- Similar to Arizona in terms of quality. No points. All random draw. Good units are less than 10% chance.
Wyoming- points based. You need 4 points or better to draw a general tag. WYO is awesome. Plenty of opportunities and good hunting.
Colorado- points and over the counter. Lots of elk. Often there are deer hunts at the same time, so there’ll be lots of people. The over the counter units are often a cluster. Colorado is physically grueling and you often won’t be able to get away from people.
Consider cow elk hunts instead of bulls to get started. You’ll have a much better chance of drawing and filling a tag. You can also use it to scout an area for when you have a bull tag later on.
Posted on 10/27/23 at 12:37 pm to 257WBY
Idaho otc is a cluster online, I’m on my third year, last year I couldn’t even log on to the portal and I took off work to be available for it. The only one I’d add to 257 WBYs list is the Montana general, it can be predictably drawn every other year basically. You can buy a point this year and buy one before you apply in 24 and be hunting there next year.
I apply some other places off his list but they are basically lotteries. If you figure out how to get Wyoming next year, I want in. I got 3 points and it ain’t happening.
I apply some other places off his list but they are basically lotteries. If you figure out how to get Wyoming next year, I want in. I got 3 points and it ain’t happening.
Posted on 10/27/23 at 1:16 pm to IcedOutBart
Thank you all. Knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I have a lot of references to go off of now. Will report back if I get anything rolling.
Posted on 10/27/23 at 1:41 pm to 257WBY
Damn, jumped straight to Rocky Mountain sheep and saw the Governor's tag option. Cost per year through auctions... YIKES!!! 
Posted on 10/27/23 at 2:48 pm to Tridentds
I drew a sheep tag in Idaho a while back. It was something like 1 in 1,200 odds.
Posted on 10/27/23 at 5:19 pm to IcedOutBart
If looking to do an elk hunt in the next two years your best bet is an OTC tag in Colorado.
Posted on 10/27/23 at 6:05 pm to IcedOutBart
I’ve got 4 points for elk, mulies, and antelope in Wyoming. Holding off due to the winter they had. I’d honestly roll the dice at Colorado or New Mexico if you guys are serious about timelines considering no points acquired yet
This post was edited on 10/27/23 at 6:07 pm
Posted on 10/27/23 at 6:56 pm to IcedOutBart
quote:
Elk Hunting - Wyoming or Idaho
I've hunted both ... my suggestion would be neither.
I'd go with New Mexico before either.
.... and then I'd end-up in Colorado.
Colorado is the answer.
Prepare to jump through some hoops and then start getting ready for some altitude.
If you're a smoker ... fuggettaboutit.
Posted on 10/27/23 at 11:24 pm to scrooster
If it's a one time hunt, spend some money and go on an Indian reservation.
If you are trying to elk hunt yearly, start buying points just about everywhere and have a back up plan in Colorado OTC
If you are trying to elk hunt yearly, start buying points just about everywhere and have a back up plan in Colorado OTC
Posted on 10/28/23 at 3:18 pm to scrooster
I bought points today. Hope to get one in 2 years or so
Posted on 10/28/23 at 7:09 pm to joebuck
Of the states discussed on this thread, which one would most likely give you grizzly bear trouble?
Just curious.
Just curious.
Posted on 10/28/23 at 8:13 pm to 308
quote:Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington have grizzlies. Montana has the largest population by far. No grizzlies south of Wyoming.
Of the states discussed on this thread, which one would most likely give you grizzly bear trouble?
This post was edited on 10/28/23 at 8:19 pm
Posted on 10/28/23 at 8:29 pm to IcedOutBart
I tried the the unguided hunting in New Mexico a couple years ago. I E scouted my arse off, scoured message boards, and used contacts familiar with the area. I spent a week on a Mule Deer hike.
Take my advice and either pay for a scouting report or hire a guide(fully or semi guided).
I had a blast but would have loved to have had success.
It’s not a cheap with the gear, licensing, tags, & travel.
Take my advice and either pay for a scouting report or hire a guide(fully or semi guided).
I had a blast but would have loved to have had success.
It’s not a cheap with the gear, licensing, tags, & travel.
Posted on 10/29/23 at 10:34 am to IcedOutBart
My family and I went to Idaho this past September. It was our first time going to Idaho and we choose the frank church wilderness. Between everyone on the trip, we had a tag to take any game we could possibly see. After 10days camping in the mountains, we did not see a single animal. The two other groups of hunters that we saw had the same luck.
Aside from being the steepest, most rugged terrain imaginable, the trip was fun and an unforgettable experience. BUT I would not recommend going there. Apparently the wolves have ruined the area. There has to be good areas for elk in Idaho but I would strongly consider looking at another state.
Aside from being the steepest, most rugged terrain imaginable, the trip was fun and an unforgettable experience. BUT I would not recommend going there. Apparently the wolves have ruined the area. There has to be good areas for elk in Idaho but I would strongly consider looking at another state.
Posted on 10/29/23 at 5:31 pm to lildaddy86
Yep. Wolves have devastated Idaho.
Posted on 10/29/23 at 7:40 pm to joebuck
quote:
I bought points today. Hope to get one in 2 years or so
Do you need points for high fence private land? I’m not familiar.
Heard people just poach elk, well, at least that was the thing a few years ago.
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