If you could live anywhere (for Elk Hunting)...

[Sinkinglizard]

Thanks all, some good recommendations and thoughts here. Appreciate the input. Talked to a few older gentlemen at various trail heads over the last few years about this topic as well. It would have been a beautiful site to see some of these places 30 years ago. Cant blame anyone for wanting to live in or visit these places, I completely understand the motivation! Seems like more and more people say "it is becoming too crowded", but I suspect this was the case 30yrs ago as well.

 

[Sinkinglizard]

Is AZ on the short list?


Eddie

Eddie - can residents get elk tags in AZ every year? I have no issue bouncing from Archery one year to Rifle the next if thats what it takes and means I get to hunt. I just want to be able to chase elk every year as a resident

 

[Sinkinglizard]

To the OP, you’ve listed some fairly specific criteria… There are a lot of discussions on this site started by people looking for advice on where to move. Most of those discussions aren’t well received because not many people want to enable more people moving to their area. You may not be asking for someone to give you a specific place to hunt elk, but what you are asking for is not too much different than that.

I’d advise looking at what resident hunt opportunities are and where the herds are located in the states you’re interested in, then look at the locations of the regional airport locations in the states you’re asking about. After that, then look at what towns are within the distance from the airport you’d need to be close to. From there, start looking at all the other variables you’d need to consider.

3forks - I understand where you're coming from, but if someone moved down the road from me who was interested in the same things I am interested in, I would be happy to welcome them and probably befriend them assuming they are good people. Also understand that a lot of locals do not want to welcome a bunch of new residents.

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

I live in a spot where the elk opportunities are great and so close it’s wonderful.

However; housing here is INSANE with the pricing and the hunting is not easy. At all. The elk are there, but you have to fight your way through pine tree Vietnam to get to them. I’ve seen a lot of people over the years come and try and never come back with how ruthless the terrain is.

 

[LostArra]

When it comes to great or even good places to live and hunt, there aren't many secrets anymore and especially inexpensive secrets.

Given it's size and 5-star Rokslide reviews I'm surprised there aren't 3 million residents living in Wyoming.

 

[HighUintas]

I live in SLC. Housing prices are insane and are only getting worse. Plus it's just too busy, turning into a big metropolitan (also blue) city.

No kidding. I'm trying to get out. But why would anyone answer these questions seriously. It's like giving an elk honey hole away on the Internet

 

[North of 60]

Good luck OP as i asked a similar question Re: ID vs western MT without gaining much traction...I'll be watching the responses

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

I would take Colorado over Wyoming for hunting opportunities, if wanting to chase other critters too. Tough to get limited quota tags in Wyoming and Colorado has a very navigable system that is fair. Random draws are no ones friend. If just elk, Wyoming is ok. But this is about the worst state in the country for limited entry tags as a resident. If you live in wyoming you are close to montana and colorado. I do most of my hunting out of state due to being a Wyoming resident and it works well for our family.

 

[3forks]

3forks - I understand where you're coming from, but if someone moved down the road from me who was interested in the same things I am interested in, I would be happy to welcome them and probably befriend them assuming they are good people. Also understand that a lot of locals do not want to welcome a bunch of new residents.

Well… in theory you’d think everyone would think like you do. However, when you see a dramatic increase in people moving to your area, and all of them are interested in the same things you’re interested in - that’s not really seen as a good thing. If anything, it’s viewed as an increase in competition for the resources the area has. Running into one of your buddies while hunting or recreating is one thing, but running into several to dozens of your “new buddies” in an area where you used to see no one isn’t what anyone is looking for.

Also, sitting in traffic when there used to be none is a drag, regardless of whether they all think like you do or not. And further, you might have everything in common with a guy supporting his family working at a job in the town that you move to, but if your telecommuting job pays way more than he makes and you’re able to buy a house that he gets priced out of because guys like you are buying it and increasing real estate prices in the area, he may not be interested in being your buddy.

Anyway, use the search function on here and see what you come up with.