Which of the 3 would you pick to hunt elk?

[carpsniperg2]

Why I have hunted in montana and wyoming before. I have also been thinking colorado. I have not chased elk in either of these 3 and really want to start looking for some more elk hunting. I only put 4 days in this year with most of my hunting ground around here closed. Only to find them on the last day and on the move out of the area So it has got me thinking about next year or maybe a late hunt this year.

Say for a over the counter tag just to harvest a elk. Does not need to be a record unit or place just the best one you think for a over the counter archery elk tag.

Thoughts?

[bobcat]

I think Colorado is the best, but it's also further to drive. I'd pick Montana if I were going to do an out of state archery hunt. In fact my cousin is hunting elk in Montana as we speak.

[shanevg]

Same question I've been trying to figure out myself.  I'm also leaning towards Montana as the drive to CO just takes so frick'n long and cuts down your actual number of days hunting. 

[Dan-o]

I do Montana, because that drive is hard enough on an old fat guy like me.

[6x6in6]

Why skimp, do all three.   

[Bearhunter]

Barnone Colorado for over the counter tags all day long, look at the elk numbers, harvest stats and statistics...  I have hunted all three and killed elk in all three and CO is definetly the weiner...  Wyoming is a lot of draw areas and the unit I have hunted there for draw units takes the cake for the best quality hunt I have been on

[carpsniperg2]

Thanks guys. Yeah I do have a few outfitters that I could hunt with. However I do like a good DIY hunt. I have been leaning towards colorado because my dad has shot a elk there and ever since he told me about it "as a kid" I have wanted to hunt there. The paper birch tree's and aspens are calling my name

Are most of the archery hunts in colorado over the counter? What about horn restrictions in them?

[Bearhunter]

Over the counters are cow or 4 point or better.

[carpsniperg2]

Cool that would be just fine by me!!!! Thanks for the info. There is a lot of hunts I know a ton about!!! these over the counter elk hunts in these 3 states, I know almost nothing about. I am not affraid to say it either I want to make up my mind to be able to have lot's of time to research and find some area's to hunt.

[Bigshooter]

My votes for MT. 

[Elkslayer]

I'll be following this thread as well. I have 2 young boys that are just getting into archery hunting and I would love to find a good place to take them where they can get in on some consistent action. I was thinking Colorado as well, out of state tags are cheaper than Montana and the elk numbers are alot higher. Just not sure what the number of hunters are gonna be like.

What would be some good units in Colorado to look into?

[C-Money]

Colorado is gonna be hard to beat for over the counter elk tags and public land. Craig would be a great place to start.

[Bigshooter]

Away to possibly find a unit in colorado to hunt. Would be to look at the points it takes to draw a muzzy tag in a unit then see if that unit is otc for archery. The more pts it takes for a muzzy might mean better quality.  Also remember achery and muzzy season overlap.  And all muzzy tags are on a draw. Take a look at unit 62. Theres probably better. But here's a starting point for someone.

[Basket Rack]

I hunt all 3 and would have to say Colorado. You might find a bigger bull and fewer hunters in Montana but definitely not the numbers that CO has.  Certain parts of Wyoming are awesome but in my opinion you need to pick a unit away from wolf central in the northwest corner.  Most of the good ones in WY are special draw.  As a previous poster noted you need to watch when that muzzleloader hunt is in CO and avoid that week if you can.

[coyote_out]

Montana, always seem to get into elk there.  I know its not on the list, but also ID, just because its close and you can hunt alot of units if you hunt archery.

[busterbrown]

Hunted Idaho,MT, CO, WY,OR.

Here's my opinion for what it is worth.

Each has it pros and cons. Colorado has lots of elk, but a long drive. Wyoming has good bulls, but got to know the right spot to get away from bears and wolves. Lots of country is off limits to out of state hunter without a guide. Oregon has good spots for archery, close to hunt, but you got to know the spots, some areas are real steep to hunt.Montana has nice bulls, some areas have bear problems, other wolves.Idaho has many options, close to hunt, wolves are really changing things, lots of country is either real steep or real brushy.

Taken in all the factors, if you want to get into elk, opportunity to kill a elk, not a head hunter, then colorado. If you want a nice bull, willing to see a few less elk, then montana.If traveling far is a problem, then idaho or oregon.

[carpsniperg2]

I have no problem with travel or travel costs. It's all part of the game. I travel a ton to hunt each year. I am really thinking colorado. I would love to shoot a bull, don't care how big but I am due one. I have a calf,yearling and cow under my belt in 6 years. I need some horns, but they don't have to be big. I would love to be able to scout but that is a bit of a drive for a scouting trip I will probably plan on just getting there early to learn the country. If anyone knows a good unit. I don't need spots but would not mind them for archery. Could you send me a pm or post if it's just general unit info. I want to start figuing things out now before next year gets close.

Thanks guys

[Bean Counter]

If you really don't care about the travel, I'd consider New Mexico. The fires from this year in the Gila should be putting out some nice grasslands in the spring. Hard to draw a tag but you have as good of odds as someone who has put in for X years--no preference or bonus points here. If you don't get drawn you're only out $20.

[carpsniperg2]

If you really don't care about the travel, I'd consider New Mexico. The fires from this year in the Gila should be putting out some nice grasslands in the spring. Hard to draw a tag but you have as good of odds as someone who has put in for X years--no preference or bonus points here. If you don't get drawn you're only out $20.

Yeah I have thought about that as well. I plan to start putting in for new mexico and AZ.

[Button Nubbs]

does it have to be out of state? since you dont care about a masher bull why not just come kill one of our westside baby raghorns?   you could get more scouting in that way also

[Skyvalhunter]

You do realize how long it will take you to draw one of the decent permits for Az don't you? It averages about 14 + points now and when 14 comes around for you it will be up to 20+. Then the fact you have to buy a hunting lisc every year for 20 yrs at about $151 costing you about $3020.
Last year New Mexico lowered the number of special permits given to Non Residents and it is very few. But hey good luck!!

[deerslyr]

Ive hunted the last 2 years in MT, my experience is limited to the beartooths, crazies and little belts. It can be really good hunting. I have yet to connect, but its been a fun season.
The one thing that really surprised me were the number of hunters even during archery season. Where theres good numbers of elk theres good numbers of hunters. I back packed into 2 different spots in the crazies (4-7 miles in) and was into elk, only to have locals come in on horse back or hiking in. I couldnt believe how hard montanans hunt. The WA rule of get a mile off the road and you wont see anyone doesnt hold true here in my experience.

[Kola16]

In 2006, The estimated elk populations are as follows:

Montana - 100,000

Wyoming - 110,000

Colorado - 220,000

 Does that help

Washington - 60,000 

[carpsniperg2]

You do realize how long it will take you to draw one of the decent permits for Az don't you? It averages about 14 + points now and when 14 comes around for you it will be up to 20+. Then the fact you have to buy a hunting lisc every year for 20 yrs at about $151 costing you about $3020.
Last year New Mexico lowered the number of special permits given to Non Residents and it is very few. But hey good luck!!

Not worried about that. I am still young 3k for a killer elk tag? HELL YEAH!!!! I can live with that.

[Austrian Hunter]

What about New Mexico?

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah I am going to start pointing in new mexico and az. I might start up in MT and Wy as well. I am just thinking for a general non draw tag.

[turkeyfeather]

For me it would be Colorado. That would be a dream hunt.

[Bean Counter]

Carp,
PM 

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Yeah I am going to start pointing in new mexico and az. I might start up in MT and Wy as well. I am just thinking for a general non draw tag.

I have been planning on doing the same.  I can probably pay the bill in the next few years.  I can only dream of one of these hunts.

[carpsniperg2]

Ok so I started yesterday, I bought a point for wy for elk/deer/lopes.

I have been looking to try to find if I can buy a point still in new mexico and colorado. I cant seem to find them. I will call tomorrow but thought I would ask on here first. Does anyone know the deadline on these two states?

[Bean Counter]

no points in NM. luck of the draw each year

[carpsniperg2]

Ha no wonder I could not find anthing about points on their site

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

When does wy stop selling points?

[luvtohnt]

When does wy stop selling points?

Last day of September!!

Brandon

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Sweet.  I was gonna buy one when they first came out but never got to.  There's always next year to start.

[Bean Counter]

The 30th fell on a weekend this year. In fact, you have until today at 5:00pm. 

Get 'er done!

[blackhorn]

I am in the same boat as you Carp. I am thinking Colorado.  Trying to pin down an area to start is a whole other bag of worms.  The internet scouting can be tough someone says somthing good about a unit then someone says somthing bad.  Why can't people just tell the truth! 
So, far I got it narrowed down to the west half of the state.  Someone HELP!

[Bigshooter]

I am in the same boat as you Carp. I am thinking Colorado.  Trying to pin down an area to start is a whole other bag of worms.  The internet scouting can be tough someone says somthing good about a unit then someone says somthing bad.  Why can't people just tell the truth! 
So, far I got it narrowed down to the west half of the state.  Someone HELP!

If you want a diy public land hunt then you will have to do it on the west side of the state, the east side of the state is almost all private land.  If you want a place to start researching for an elk hunt.  Start checking out the units in the Gunnison Basin.

[blackhorn]

Thats some cool looking area.  Thats happens to be an area I was eyeballing, that and the NW corner (except that draw only area right in the corner). Thanks Bigshooter!

[summit creek]

y do you guys keep skiping oregon nice bulls and lots of em

[brianmtsinc]

I have never put in for an out of state tag before, but after 2 days in unit 15 in NM, I will be putting in there for now on. 

I was told that if I put in with a resident, my odds increase due to the limited number of out of state tags they give.  Any idea if this is true??

[Bigshooter]

I have never put in for an out of state tag before, but after 2 days in unit 15 in NM, I will be putting in there for now on. 

I was told that if I put in with a resident, my odds increase due to the limited number of out of state tags they give.  Any idea if this is true??

I don't think that is true.  I'm not sure on how NM does there draw.  But in other states that do allow residents and nonresidents to apply together usually both tags come out of the nonresident pool.

[littlemac]

Having hunted New Mexico since 2003 I would throw a vote in for a draw there.

While I hunt private land the public land hunts have good success.

Definitely put in for the Valles Caldera, once in lifetime hunt http://www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/elk/elk_howtoapply.aspx this site is an outfitter but has the info.

I have only missed going twice in 10 years, but the eight times I have made it I have 8 bulls. 

Missed this year and ate my tag (and hunt fee) because of a disaster at work.  My son and brother went though and both connected 5X5 and 6X6 on the first day.

Last year my kid got a hog and my buddy that went got a great 6X6, here's the mount and my sons rack waiting to be mounted.

[brianmtsinc]

Littlemac,
8 times in 10 years !!  WOW!!!   Is that all lottery draws, landowner tags, or a combination of all options?

Since leaving NM, I have spent my days reading and studying up.  I want to try and figure out my best option for being able to make it back next year!!

Thanks,
Brian

[ElPasoCounty]

Ok so I started yesterday, I bought a point for wy for elk/deer/lopes.

I have been looking to try to find if I can buy a point still in new mexico and colorado. I cant seem to find them. I will call tomorrow but thought I would ask on here first. Does anyone know the deadline on these two states?

You can't buy points in Colorado. Your tag application for the draw is usually due the first weekend in April. The regs come out in February. Left over tags usually go on sale in between the first and middle parts of August.

When you apply for a tag and indicate a preference point for your second choice you will be refunded the cost of the tag minus an application fee unless you check the donate box. Say you know it take 3 preference (its published) points to hunt a certain and you're planning a hunt for 2016 you can also choose preference points as your first choice. They will still refund your money minus the processing fee if you elect that option.

I love elk hunting in Colorado.