Hoyts n Mulies
Lil-Rokslider
Hi All,
I don't post much but do a lot of reading and research on this site. My hunting buddy and I have decided to change gears this year and give up our early high mule deer hunt in hopes of getting on some bulls this year. Given we don't draw a bull tag in Washington (unlikely we will) we're looking into Idaho, Montana or Colorado for an OTC archery elk tag. I know it's early but I like to plan early
.
Idaho - pros - Elk hunting within 2 hour drive from where we live, which means more time in the woods with an option to go back with a rifle for a week if we're unsuccessful in archery. I have some familiarity with the area due to fly fishing a few of the panhandle rivers quite often. Scouting trips could be done with relative ease.
- cons - From my research it appears that harvest rates are down compared to past years. Also, we generally like to pack in somewhere and stay a week or more and we don't know what area would be best for this.
Montana - pros - I've hunted elk successfully several years and have a few locations that I know well. Similar to Idaho we can come back and hunt with a rifle if we don't get it done in archery.
- cons - Tag prices are up a lot from the last time I went (5 years ago), Family that has been hunting the area are not seeing the elk they used to but are reguarly seeing wolves or sign on each trip. The driving distance makes a 1 or 2 day follow up trip to hunt difficult.
Colorado - pros - We've never been there . Tag prices are affordable. From my research they have the largest # of elk of all three states.
- cons - Longest drive that would take two days of already precious vacation time. Never set foot in the mountains and scouting trips would likely not be possible due to time and money.
I know this is personal decision but given you were in our shoes, what would you do?
I don't post much but do a lot of reading and research on this site. My hunting buddy and I have decided to change gears this year and give up our early high mule deer hunt in hopes of getting on some bulls this year. Given we don't draw a bull tag in Washington (unlikely we will) we're looking into Idaho, Montana or Colorado for an OTC archery elk tag. I know it's early but I like to plan early
. Idaho - pros - Elk hunting within 2 hour drive from where we live, which means more time in the woods with an option to go back with a rifle for a week if we're unsuccessful in archery. I have some familiarity with the area due to fly fishing a few of the panhandle rivers quite often. Scouting trips could be done with relative ease.
- cons - From my research it appears that harvest rates are down compared to past years. Also, we generally like to pack in somewhere and stay a week or more and we don't know what area would be best for this.
Montana - pros - I've hunted elk successfully several years and have a few locations that I know well. Similar to Idaho we can come back and hunt with a rifle if we don't get it done in archery.
- cons - Tag prices are up a lot from the last time I went (5 years ago), Family that has been hunting the area are not seeing the elk they used to but are reguarly seeing wolves or sign on each trip. The driving distance makes a 1 or 2 day follow up trip to hunt difficult.
Colorado - pros - We've never been there
. Tag prices are affordable. From my research they have the largest # of elk of all three states. - cons - Longest drive that would take two days of already precious vacation time. Never set foot in the mountains and scouting trips would likely not be possible due to time and money.
I know this is personal decision but given you were in our shoes, what would you do?
