Best for Muley's. Oregon, Idaho, or Washington?

[BigTines]

If you had the choice to move to one of these three states to hunt mule deer and elk...which one would you choose and why? Oregon, Washington, or Idaho? Which state has the best hunting around?

[bobcat]

I'm not sure if the hunting is better, but Idaho has more liberal seasons. In Oregon you can only hunt mule deer with a rifle if you draw a permit. Idaho is over the counter. Idaho has much more opportunity. Same with elk, in eastern Oregon. You have to draw a permit, Idaho you don't. That would be enough reason for me to choose Idaho, if I were moving to one of the three states, for the hunting. (Washington wouldn't even be considered)

[carpsniperg2]

Well if you look at the record books side of it hands down colorado had the best mule deer hunting. In the last 10 years colorado has had 212 b&c entires ranking number 1. That is more then number 2 3 4 5 6 all added together!!! So colorado is my pick for mulies.

From your list idaho is ranked number 5 and oregon number 8. Washington is not listed.

That is the record book side of things.

Idaho has a lot of predators rigth now and the numbers are getting affected by that as well as some of the hunting areas.
Oregon has some great hunting as well as washington. If you can draw the right tag both can produce some great mule deer hunting!

[halflife65]

IDAHO.........OREgon...washington

Spacing is about right from most desired to least when it comes to hunting opportunities.

[BigTines]

awesome, thanks for the quick responses! How would you rate those three states with regard to Elk? Similar? Or completely different?

[stealth]

don't know about elk but my ranking for deer is idaho washington oregon

[huntnnw]

id say ID

[buglebuster]

I would also say Idaho

[B.G.hunter]

I would say Idaho has the best mule deer in the northwest still not what it used to be.  Elk for Idaho is way down and not getting better at least not in the north portion.  Washington has the best elk right now.  Mule deer populations are down in general but has never produce the quality of Oregon or Idaho.  Oregon has good elk and deer but as previously said you have to draw a tag on the east side for rifle or muzzy.  Archery is OTC in most eastern units but not the best.  If you want Rosie elk Oregon has good OTC opportunity.  But Oregon's deer and elk population are down and does not look as if they are going to rebound soon. just my 

[wsucowboy]

Idaho for me 

[huntnnw]

WA ELK over ID elk..not for me... I leave WA to hunt ID elk

[B.G.hunter]

WA ELK over ID elk..not for me... I leave WA to hunt ID elk

But trophy quality in the top 5 units in Washington vs. Idaho top 5, I would say Washington for sure...for now until the puppies get their way.  There is a reason many Idahoans come to washington to shed hunt?

[boneaddict]

IDAHO, Washington, oregon

[baldopepper]

That question is hard to answer if you just look at records or statistics.  As an example, Colorado has the most B&C bucks, but most came off of private or controlled lease property or guided hunts.  Many of the biggest bucks from Utah, also as an example, came off of limited entry hunts or private ground.  For most of us "basic" hunters, I think you have to look at those states that have the most "open" ground to hunt (i.e. Natl. or state forest ground or accessible private ground)  and availability of permits.  Washington has'nt move to limited entry hunts to the extent of some other states and has a considerable amount of "open" ground as does Idaho, personally I look more for that type of thing than I do record bucks from a state.  Just my

[jdurham]

Idaho is the best for all three species.  Longer seasons, use all weapons, and they are getting aggressive on wolf management.  Here in Washington our elected officials have more important things to worry about.  For instance, gay marriage!