Where to elk hunt?

[LeviD1]

So I have decided after 9 years of unsuccessful elk hunting in the area I always hunt that I want to most likely hunt idaho and if it is a ton better Colorado every once in a while. I'm sick of Bulls never talking and if one is it is literally 1 in 20 miles it seems like. I would really like to hunt someplace where elk actually bugle at each other since I have never experienced that ever where I hunt. There isn't a dense enough population I believe for them to need to be very vocal. Preferably where it's not crazy ridiculous populated with hunters. I know idaho let's you hunt multiple seasons but it will be mainly for Archery season anyways. Also for either state it will be most likely for 9ish days in a row. Any suggestions would help a lot to point me in the right direction and help me decide. PM me please if you don't want to post suggestions publicly

Thank you very much

[LeviD1]

And or your personal experience of switching from WA to these other states likes / dislikes

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I loved making the switch to Idaho.  Worth the money to get to hunt that much.  Ask yourself this, what kind of elk country have you wanted to hunt in?  Or does it matter.  If you have the option to take lots of time off and you want something besides a brush patch, check out some other states.  Idaho worked for me because I lived in Spokane.  I have started venturing further south in search of new grounds with more open country, less roads and less people, but I come back to Panhandle every year.  Its close and I know it well.  It takes adjustment though and fighting through those thickets can really test your patience. If you can take 9 days and go to Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana, that would be fun as well and might be closer to the elk experience you are looking for. 

[Mr Mykiss]

Careful. Going to ID or CO will make you realize the quality of hunting we have here in WA...

[Huntin Hounds]

You should just hunt the Idaho panhandle. There are plenty of elk and they talk quite a bit. The weekends can get busy but during the middle of the week you may not even run into another person. There are elk in every drainage but they do move from year to year. Go over right now in the early mornings and late evenings until about the end of September and you will probably hear some talking. I even get them bugling at my hounds on occasion. If you do hunt over there and you have a pack of hounds come through your hunt just sit down and shutup till about 10 minutes after the dogs are gone. The elk wont leave but they may get quiet for a bit. Cow calling with mouth reeds will be most successful. Don't waste your time with hoochie mamas. Good luck!

[LeviD1]

Montana is a possibility as well I forgot!

[LeviD1]

I loved making the switch to Idaho.  Worth the money to get to hunt that much.  Ask yourself this, what kind of elk country have you wanted to hunt in?  Or does it matter.  If you have the option to take lots of time off and you want something besides a brush patch, check out some other states.  Idaho worked for me because I lived in Spokane.  I have started venturing further south in search of new grounds with more open country, less roads and less people, but I come back to Panhandle every year.  Its close and I know it well.  It takes adjustment though and fighting through those thickets can really test your patience. If you can take 9 days and go to Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana, that would be fun as well and might be closer to the elk experience you are looking for.

I would love to hunt somewhere that there's nicely spaced trees for shot opportunities. Currently I'm used to being within 40 yards of the one bull I find and never being able to see it so thick. I would be happy though if I could get on elk most days but at least hear them every day would just make it wonderful. I don't know if these are realistic expectations but that's what I'm hoping to find out.