oregon or idaho for elk?

[deerhunter_98520]

Ok guys im thinkin about huntin out of state for the first time in a year or 2...what state would you hunt...oregon or idaho... id like to hunt elk..havent decided if im goin rifle or archery....id prefer archery but not opposed to rifle if its a good hunt......ive only hunted elk with a bow for 5 years now on the coast...its been a challenge but fun as hell even if i havent put a tag on one yet...i got some family in both states and both say its good hunting...id like to hear from guys that have hunted both places and what they liked better and some areas they would reccomend....id like to see some animals you have got from those states also

[ArrowH]

I would suggest ID, as long as you stay away from the heavy wolf areas. Oregon has some good elk, but branch bull with a rifle is draw only. Archery can be good in both states, depending on what research you do.

[deerhunter_98520]

Thats what im doin now startin to research. and i figured this is a good place to start...and its. Never to early

[ArrowH]

I know Oregon real well, actually used to be an outfitter there. If you start narrowing things down for Oregon or want more info, just let me know.

[bigpaw 77]

I have never elk hunted Idaho and never hunted at all in Oregon I was thinking about looking into bear hunting there. I was wondering if anyone knows if north eastern Oregon spring bear is a draw only or over the counter for non-resident.

[bobcat]

Spring bear in Oregon is draw only.

[dscubame]

Oregon all the way.

[bigpaw 77]

Thanks Bobcat.

[bobcat]

I would take Idaho over Oregon. I applied for special permit hunts in Oregon since 1999, but I quit applying last year when the price went up. You have to purchase a license to apply for special permits. The cost to apply for deer, elk, and antelope in Oregon is close to $200 ever year. That's just to build points. If you draw elk, the tag is $500. Oregon used to be a good deal, because it cost less than Idaho, and I liked that it was only a 5 or 6 hour drive to where we hunted. But my next out of state hunt will be Idaho. One plus is that they don't have a point system so you can apply for the draw hunts and have the same odds as everybody else. You don't need to build points for 20 years just to have a chance. I also like that there are decent general season hunts, so that I can still make use of the hunting license if I don't draw a special permit hunt.

[deerhunter_98520]

Idaho is startin to sound pretty good

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Never hunted Oregon, hunting Idaho this year for the first time.  Depending on the area, you dont pick a method, you get to hunt multiple seasons and they tailor each tag so you get more time with your preferred method of hunting. Seen lots of elk this year, no wolves, and I get 3 weeks of rifle hunting starting Oct 10th.  Plus I had archery for 2 weeks already. I don't regret spending the money, wish i bought a deer tag though, had to watch a nice buck walk by at 8 yards.  Oh and you can use your elk tag to shoot a beat instead of an elk.  It's a very hunter friendly state.

[bobcat]

It's a very hunter friendly state

 
 
That's another thing I like- that they will let you use a deer or elk tag for a bear. Also they have a great youth mentoring program, that works the same for non-residents as it does for residents. You can take your son/daughter hunting in Idaho and pay so little for the hunting license and tags that it's practically free.

[deerslyr]

  I went hunting there when I was 16 and the tag and license was around 70 bucks for whitetail if I remember correctly

[high country]

Idaho is getting pretty tough because of the wolves, more resident hunters are ganging up on less land. Don't get me wrong, they have a ton of ground, but wolves have hammered it. I would still choose id over or because it is a sure thing you get a tag. For a curve ball, consider Colorado for elk.....they have huge populations of them. More driving, but better odds.

[deerhunter_98520]

Colorado is a possibility i have family in colorado springs also...i suppose by the time i drive to idaho i could spend the same amount on a ticket to colorado lol

[speakthelanguage]

I would hunt Idaho.

[deerhunter_98520]

So far thats what most people are telling me....just talked to my cuz that lives over there and they set up a big wall tent every year for 2weeks...so i think thats gonna be my choice...im gonna save up and suprise my old man witha tag also...hes my huntin partner...hes taken numerous days off of work to help me pack out animals...i just call his boss and tell him i got one down and send  few packs of steaks back to work  as a thank you....now its my turn to repay him all the years hes been there for me

[byrdman]

I hear the wolves ate all the elk in Idaho, maybe try North River or Winston creek...(?)

[BENCHLEG]

its funny you say that byrdman, give it a few years and you will see them there also.

[deerhunter_98520]

Its funny u say that...north river is my stompin grounds...found this 2 years ago...it was  following deer tracks in north river...i made a cast of 3of them...4"x5" prints

[C-Money]

If you can get a hold of a tag in Oregon, you should have a hunt of a life time. I would lean toward Idaho, better opportunity to hunt modern if that is what you are after.

[elkfuler]

Hunt Idaho. Buy a wolf tag too - they're cheap, as they should be.  An area I used to hunt in ID in the Frank Church wilderness had many many elk and lots of moose.  Last I was in there it wasn't the same - lots of wolf sign, very little elk sign and virtually no moose sign.  Haven't been back for a while.  That said, there are still many areas that are very good with good elk numbers.  As someone else previously said, just keep away from the heavy wolf areas.  BTW, Oregon has wolves too - at least in the NW.