You so far have been able to hunt Montana for elk every year and might be able to next year with no points. Montana’s elk combo tag is really expensive compared to the big game combo tag (big game combo is only about $175 more) which allows you an elk and a deer in addition to small game- so the elk combo (only allows elk and small game), is perceived as less value for the dollar- is “always” available- so far. So while it’s a pricy tag- if you can take the time off to explore and hunt having 5 weeks of general statewide rifle is kind of cool. Especially after you’ve hunted it a few years- a few different districts- a few different mountain ranges.
Idaho is fine too- nice having a couple weeks on most rifle tags. The funny thing about Idaho’s “limited OTC” tags is that for the most part they are limited in an effort to revive populations that are below objective. They are not limited in order to provide a better hunt or higher trophy quality. They are limited because they are more or less in trouble- Or otherwise cant support true otc pressure.
Colorado has shorter seasons but way more plentiful elk and I honestly wouldn’t care if the season was only 3 days as long as I was able to take to the woods 3-4 days prior to the season to make sure I had them on opening morning and had a solid idea of where they’d go once the shooting started.
If I’m in Utah it’s to play in a Jeep or catch a connection at SLC
It’s going to take you a couple maybe even 3 years to hunt Wyoming but by then if you’ve broken yourself in on a couple other hunts you might be ready to do that or might put it off a year again.
