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Author Topic: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?  (Read 7599 times)

Offline go4itlab

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Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« on: January 14, 2015, 01:16:42 AM »
I plan on doing my first out of state hunt and have two offers from some out of state friends. One is an archery hunt for McCall Idaho. The other is archery NE Colorado. Any thoughts on which would be better, not looking for a trophy but more quality and just overall experience? Money wise they both come out around the same (give or take a cpl $) as I have places to stay in both areas.

Offline GotMyTag

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2015, 05:04:40 AM »
Wolves have not been a problem much yet in Colorado.
But the real answer is both.  Go on whatever you can and take some kids.

Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2015, 05:06:18 AM »
Utah
The only man who never makes a mistake, is the man who never does anything!!
The further one goes into the wilderness, the greater the attraction of its lonely freedom.

Offline bobcat

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2015, 08:00:25 AM »
I'd choose Idaho, simply because the drive to Colorado would be three times further. Unless you're retired and time isn't an issue. In that case I'd probably go with the Colorado hunt.

Offline Forks

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2015, 08:05:41 AM »
Are both hunts on public land?

Offline Karl Blanchard

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2015, 08:21:02 AM »
Colorado all day long!  Way more elk plain and simple.  Top end of trophy potential isn't as high as Idaho but odds of filling a tag are better.  Unless gas money  is an issue, the drive isn't a big deal.  Leave Friday right after work and you will be most places in Colorado with plenty of time to knock an arrow and hunt on Saturday.  Colorado is my favorite state to hunt, hands down.  Solo much game!
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Offline bobcat

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2015, 08:30:55 AM »
BLRman, You must drive a lot faster than I would. If I left Friday night for northeast Colorado, I wouldn't be hunting until Monday morning.

Offline Karl Blanchard

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2015, 08:40:23 AM »
Not fast just don't stop.  If you get tired, pull it over for a cat nap and then get back to it.  I've done that drive many times.
It is foolish and wrong to mourn these men.  Rather, we should thank god that such men lived.  -General George S. Patton

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Offline Karl Blanchard

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2015, 08:43:53 AM »
Or if possible, take a partner and don't stop except for gas.  First day of hunting is a grind with the lack of sleep but first day in the field and the anticipation of the hunt will keep the juices flowing.  Drive home sucks though, not gonna lie.
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Offline kentrek

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2015, 09:01:14 AM »
McCall would be a good place to go wolf hunting  :tup:

Offline Karl Blanchard

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2015, 09:14:12 AM »
No shortage of folks hunting out of McCall either.  Which buddy is a better elk hunter?  I'd go with them :chuckle:
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Offline vandeman17

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2015, 09:23:12 AM »
No shortage of folks hunting out of McCall either.  Which buddy is a better elk hunter?  I'd go with them :chuckle:

I was going to say the same thing. Which buddy do you trust the most and which one do you think is the more knowledgeable hunter that will shoot you straight about what to expect? That is who I would go with.  :twocents:
" I have hunted almost every day of my life, the rest have been wasted"

Offline go4itlab

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2015, 08:14:34 PM »
I would say the Colorado boys have had more success, only due to the fact they're born and raised their. My Idaho connection have done fare the last few years, they're transplants from Washington. I do have another buddy going with me so ride cost and driving will be shared. Right now I'm leaning towards Colorado but everything is subject to change, only because I would like to start learning the area in Idaho and it is about half the distance. Thanks for the feed back so far!

Offline actionshooter

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2015, 09:27:30 PM »
 From a pure hunting standpoint I would say Colorado, look at the ELK population numbers and Colorado is the ticket. Probably bigger bulls in Idaho, but I love Colorado.
 Don't let the drive slow you down, Olympia to Colorado in 17 hours  :chuckle:

Offline super186

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2015, 09:58:32 PM »
Are you sure it's Northeast Colorado? I lived in Colorado for 40 years and there aren't a lot of elk in Northeast Colorado. Maybe Northwest? Northeast Colorado is primarily farm country, whitetail, muleys, pheasant and antelope. In fact if I were to hunt elk in Colrado Northeast would be the last place I'd go.

Offline bigtex

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #15 on: January 15, 2015, 10:00:51 PM »
Are you sure it's Northeast Colorado? I lived in Colorado for 40 years and there aren't a lot of elk in Northeast Colorado. Maybe Northwest? Northeast Colorado is primarily farm country, whitetail, muleys, pheasant and antelope. In fact if I were to hunt elk in Colrado Northeast would be the last place I'd go.
:yeah:

Offline go4itlab

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #16 on: January 16, 2015, 01:30:20 AM »
I probably have the area screwed up as far as geo-graphics go, but it is unit 8 in Colorado.

Offline super186

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #17 on: January 16, 2015, 08:48:16 PM »
Unit 8 probably holds a good amount of elk. I have never hunted it. It is on the eastern edge of where I would prefer to go. South of the unit is the town of Estes Park. it is a tourist town that holds huge bulls that roam the golf courses and parks. You could probably GOOGLE Sampson in Estes park and it would talk of a sad poaching case. If it were me I'd do the Colorado hunt. Lived in Colorado 40 years and Idaho for 2.

Offline Holg3107

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #18 on: January 16, 2015, 08:59:21 PM »
Quote
Are you sure it's Northeast Colorado? I lived in Colorado for 40 years and there aren't a lot of elk in Northeast Colorado. Maybe Northwest? Northeast Colorado is primarily farm country, whitetail, muleys, pheasant and antelope. In fact if I were to hunt elk in Colrado Northeast would be the last place I'd go.

 :yeah:

I grew up in Rifle Colorado. Not a lot of elk in the NE corner as mentioned. Shoot me a PM with the unit you would be hunting and I can give you a bit more info. I grew up right in the middle of unit 32 and 33. Good luck! either one you will be in some beautiful country with good friends. Honestly pick the friend you want to spend the time with and go from there, at least for me that's one of the most important parts of the hunt.

Offline Stalker

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #19 on: January 16, 2015, 09:31:52 PM »
What season you looking to go also; archery, muzzy or modern? I would look at CO simply for the number of animals you have the opportunity to get into. I lived there for several years and hunted areas 12, 22, 82, 86 and 511. Honestly if you cannot find elk in CO you should take up fishing... You'll have a great time.

Offline go4itlab

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Re: Elk...Idaho or Colorado?
« Reply #20 on: January 17, 2015, 01:21:56 AM »
So its unit 8 and archery hunt, supposed to be about 45 minutes away from the Wyoming border. I will get some more info once I finish up this stretch of night shifts. Holg3107 pm sent thanks for everyone feed back, keep it coming

 


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