Is out of state worth all the hype?

[aorams]

Hey there forum!

I started buying elk points a few years ago in Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. I also have been buying preference and bonus points in Montana and plan to play the random draw game in New Mexico and Idaho on some years.  I’ve been hunting elk almost exclusively in Western Washington, buying access permits for tree farms and taking advantage of walk in areas on the coast, but next year I’ll start hunting out of state in earnest. I’ll be starting with Montana (going in with 2 preference points) and will hunt archery and rifle season. Probably for 5 to 7 days each time. I plan to buy a B tag too since my primary reason for hunting is to fill the freezer. I’m not sure which state I’ll chose in 2024, but I’ll have enough points for a good 1st rifle permit in Colorado. Wyoming will probably be the next State. Arizona is obviously a long term plan.

What I’m hoping to learn from those of you with out of state hunting experience is: how much better is it? What should my expectations be relative to the hunting here in WA? I’ve killed a few elk here and feel like I’m a decent hunter. I can hike and am well set up for backpack hunting but also have a nice wall tent and stove set up for colder months. How excited should I be?

[WAcoyotehunter]

Get excited.   There are so many opportunities in other western states that are far better than we are offered here in WA.  With a few points you can have some amazing experiences in CO or WY.  ID has incredible opportunities for a variety of species, many of which are OTC (despite being a frenzy the last couple years).  You're going to love it.  Seriously, get excited

[Magnum_Willys]

If you’ve taken a few elk then its a small step up.  But find and learn a good area odds of seeing game are double on average at least.   Idaho is now a crspshoot to get tags.  MT every other year.     Sounds like you have a good plan.   Getting to hunt is huge - won’t be able to much longer in WA. 

[KFhunter]

Hunting out of state has made me so much more of an Elk hunter than if I hadn't.     

Encounters is what makes you an elk hunter, more encounters you have the more you learn with each one. 


"you can't train a bird dog if you don't have birds" holds true with us too 

[blackveltbowhunter]

You have a plan. Thats the most important and it looks solid IMO 

Knowing an area is most important.  There is more elk in other states, but also more country.  Finding them and learning is still important, and at times difficult. The thing I notice and where you should get excited, is its worlds easier to avoid folks. It does not feel cramped, more room and longer seasons make avoiding other hunters a walk in the park compared to Washington. 

[Stein]

I hunt out of state exclusively except for ducks.  I would say you could get a general tag out of state that ranks up with just about any bull tag in WA and probably most of the quality tags.  The flip side is cost and time.  I burn two days traveling plus obviously much more in tag costs.

Every year I see dudes from all over the country moping around slow crawling the gravel roads and they go home with a pristine $1,000 tag in their pocket, so it is hunting after all and you need to know how to hunt and be willing to get out, learn and area, work and have a bit of luck.

Spring bear, antelope, bison, lots of stuff out there you can't hunt here as well.

[idahohuntr]

If you've endured a lot of general season hunts in WA (especially modern firearm) - I think you will find the hype well justified. But keep your expectations in check - still a lot of other hunters in those other states pursuing those animals.  I can't speak to western wa, but if you've had quality permits in WA...I'd actually say some of our tags are heads and shoulders better than a lot of other western states...we have way worse odds...but a quality east side bull permit would be near the top of my list when it comes to western state bull tags

[Caseknife]

It is definitely worth it.   You will see a lot more wildlife and usually less people.  Same goes as here, get off the road and you will find animals.  Sometimes you don't have to go far, just up over a ridge half a mile from the road and you won't see another soul.  Might have the opportunity to confront a grizzly, but usually no other hunters.  My hunting partner and I have been hunting out of state since 2006.  Utah mule deer, we both got bucks, 2006.   2012 Wyoming, he got his bull, I wasn't drawn.  2016 Wyoming, I got my bull, I was the hunter.  2017 Wyoming antelope, we both got a buck and a doe, had two doe tags each and if we had known how good they tasted would have killed two more does.  2019 Utah we both had cow tags, he got his, I had a chance.  2020 Idaho cow elk, we both killed cows.  2020 Wyoming elk, he got his bull, I didn't have a tag.  2021 Utah cow, I got my cow, he didn't have a tag.  2022 Wyoming he got his cow, I didn't have a tag, so, yes, it is worth it.  All of these hunts were DIY and were in areas that we hadn't set foot in initially.

[Naches Sportsman]

As far as the mountain west goes besides California, the grass is greener outside of Washington for hunting and in my opinion, fly fishing.

[Mulie87]

I went out of state for the first time (MT) in 2016. That hunt immediately ruined this state for me. You will (hopefully) experience what hunting should be. Be excited!

[Ridgerunner]

But be forewarned I don’t think most out of state hunts are as good as they were 5-10 years ago.  Still most are significantly better than the WA experience.


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[Mulie87]

  for sure.

[KFhunter]

I we t out of state for the first time (MT) in 2016. That hunt immediate ruined this state for me. You will (hopefully) experience what hunt should be. Be excited!

 


Kinda like the first time I fished the ocean and pulled out a 32# king and Halibut around 40# and more yellow eye than I could shake a stick at!

I was ruined on fresh water fishing for years after that     

[boneaddict]

Caution, you still need to know how to hunt, read animals etc.  Going in blind to a complete new area and being successful is a whole new level of fun. 

[Bob33]

I have hunted in Washington my entire life and will continue to do so. I have also hunted out of state for almost 30 years and will continue to do so. Even if the opportunities were equal, it is unquestionably a way to hunt more. Other than time and money, there is no good reason not to hunt out of state.

Is it worth all the hype? That’s a tough question to answer. It depends on many factors, including your expectations. The idea that you can hunt out of state and bag a trophy elk or deer every year is unrealistic in most instances.

My approach for big game in a few states is to hunt for antlerless / doe animals while building points. That puts meat on the table and allows you time to become familiar with an area, and possibly meet some landowners to open up private land hunting opportunities. When you draw you have a head start.

Good luck in your pursuits.