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.