Which state to hunt elk? ID, MT, or WA

[deermeat]

There's similarities in the Northeast part of WA but North ID is way more rugged in my opinion. My friends and I have done a lot of hiking in North ID and there's no other like it. The wolves are getting ridiculous. We cross tracks up there everytime we go up the Cd'A. It's crazy. It's getting out of hand and they are putting a hurtin on the elk in there. I already made a trip in an area in North ID this winter and every ridge had a set or two of wolf tracks. You want to hunt elk in NE WA, prepare to babysit them all year.

[piledup]

I've had experience with some elk in Washington's NE corner before and they are very clever when season comes around and they are far and few between. I know that there's wolves in there too cause I've seen fresh and I mean fresh like I just missed them.

Even though there are wolves in the Panhandle, are the elk vocal unlike Washington's NE?

[Alan K]

The bulls are getting quieter and quieter.  They know bugling gives their position away to predators other than humans (wolves). . . 

I talked to a guy in the bow shop in Lewiston while I was having my bow tweaked. He said he called in more wolves than bulls this past year! 

That said, I still think the hunting is better than Washington despite the wolves.  I never experienced Idaho before the wolf devastation, so I couldn't comment on how much of an impact they've had. 

Never hunted Montana.

 

[THEBUGLER]

I live in N Idaho, and the wolf issue is huge. I hunt here out of convenience. If I were a NR and had to travel, I sure wouldnt pick the the wolf infested jungles of N Idaho.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

There are no Elk in Washington 
I am too poor to hunt out of state, but if I did, Colorado or Wyoming 
If I had to chose between Wa, MT, or ID, without having experience, then it would probably be Montana.
I guess an important question is whether you are going on a guided trip, or DIY.
Tags may not be available for the better units unless booked through a guide.
Do you plan on hunting alone, or are friends coming with you ?
Everyone talks about Eastern Washington, but Western has 3pt of better units and some are open to antlerless at the same time.
Where are you coming from, and what will be your travel costs, food costs, sleeping arrangements etc..?
Also what about time restrictions, how long will you have to hunt ?

[Basket Rack]

I have hunted both Idaho and Montana pre and post wolf.  I can not explain how much things have changed.  There is lots of beautiful elk country with few elk if any.  There are still areas of good hunting but you need to do your homework and scouting.  Plus as was already explained the bulls are pretty quiet.  Really you might want to look at Oregon, Utah or Colorado.  The latter two are farther away but they do not have the wolves yet and still have some good bowhunting.  If ID and MT are where you want to go it would really pay to get over there to scout some areas prior to season.

[ribka]

I put in for pts in Wy UT and plan to hunt OR OTC archery.Might do Co next year.  As mentioned N Idaho was crawling with elk until the wolves. What a shame.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Is it really getting that bad?! Darnit I wanted to try it this year! I hear know some kivas who consistently getting elk, but they are locals and know the holes.
As for wa I have hunted up north and it is fine when you pay resident prices but I can't justify a non resident tag unless I get drawn for a quality bull tag.  Like people said they are far and few between and require baby sitting.

[piledup]

There are no Elk in Washington 
I am too poor to hunt out of state, but if I did, Colorado or Wyoming 
If I had to chose between Wa, MT, or ID, without having experience, then it would probably be Montana.
I guess an important question is whether you are going on a guided trip, or DIY.
Tags may not be available for the better units unless booked through a guide.
Do you plan on hunting alone, or are friends coming with you ?
Everyone talks about Eastern Washington, but Western has 3pt of better units and some are open to antlerless at the same time.
Where are you coming from, and what will be your travel costs, food costs, sleeping arrangements etc..?
Also what about time restrictions, how long will you have to hunt ?

I'm flying in from Oklahoma. I have friends in WA and OR so I might be staying with them if I decide either state. I have a buddy hunting in Idaho this year so I might go along with him if I choose Idaho. For MT, I have a friend in Missoula that hunts elk there every year too. I'm budgeting around (1500-2000)? for everything or less.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I'm flying in from Oklahoma. I have friends in WA and OR so I might be staying with them if I decide either state. I have a buddy hunting in Idaho this year so I might go along with him if I choose Idaho. For MT, I have a friend in Missoula that hunts elk there every year too. I'm budgeting around (1500-2000)? for everything or less.

This would be the main influence on decision.
Idaho and Oregon are cheaper licence/Tags +/- $500, Montana runs a little higher, $800+, Wa is in between.
So figure if it is an Elk only hunt, close to half your budget is going to tags and licence,
transportation is another factor, how are you getting to/from the hunting area ?
Are your friends in WA or Oregon hunters ?, where do they live ? are they near a decent unit ?
Are there still tags available (in whatever state) ? when is the application deadline ? what is the quota ?
Have you considered the additional costs of Trophy/meat-care ?
An Elk will take time (hope you have help) and money to process and ship, are your friends able to be of assistance ?

I think the decision should be based on what information you can get from your friends, I would go with the one who shows the most interest in having you along, the quality of the trip will be more a factor in how well you get along with your fellow hunter, than on actual success in the field.
Even a great trip can be ruined by hunting with someone who is not willing to make allowances for limitations placed on their own trip due to another hunting partner.
If you have problems or attitude, even a successful trip can be a nightmare, especially if that person, or persons feel like they have to sacrifice their plans to help you get one out, or you end up spending a couple days of your trip helping them.
The right partner (to me) is more important than what state or unit I will hunt, 

[piledup]

The friends that I talk about are all hunters and will be hunting elk too. If I'm going to hunt in WA, MT, or ID, I have a truck that I can use for the whole season which is in WA where I have family members. I like to drive to my hunting spot and camp out for as long as I don't need any more supplies. Getting an elk out is not a problem for me. For meat care it's already planned out.

If I pick WA, I'll be buying my tag when I can put in for special draw permits and no later than that.

If I pick ID, the Panhandle's tag quota doesn't seem to run out at all so I guess I can buy that anytime.

For MT, the date to buy the license is this April 18 so I need to decide by then if I want to hunt in MT.
So a MT license and tag is only good for certain units like ID?

[bobcat]

I think the Montana tag is good in the entire state, with the exception of just a few units which are by permit only.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Might want to check that availability again, http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/availableLicenses.html
AS far as I could tell, MT is done...... March 15th.... 

[piledup]

Might want to check that availability again, http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/availableLicenses.html
AS far as I could tell, MT is done...... March 15th.... 

This is where I got the date for MT.

http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/headlines/nr_3944.html

[bobcat]

Might want to check that availability again, http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/availableLicenses.html
AS far as I could tell, MT is done...... March 15th.... 

But remember, they had less applicants than permits, so there are hundreds of leftovers.