Which State for Elk

[OftenOutdoors]

I am on the East coast and I’m hoping to make at least one elk hunt in the future. Realistically, this is not happening for at least 7 or 8 years from now. This will be my first Elk hunt. I’m thinking I will want to use an outfitter but I have plenty of time to figure that out.

Which states would you recommend I start accumulating points in? From what I have been reading it sounds like Wyoming and Utah seem like solid choices.

I’d also be up for Mule Deer (in addition to Elk) depending on the state.

I’d appreciate any input you might have.

 

[Soj51hopeful]

Colorado. No need to build points

 

[dirtytough]

You need to try and go sooner than later. There are less and less tags across the west and non res are getting a smaller and smaller percent of the pie every year.

Skip Utah. People with 15 points can’t draw. You won’t with 7-8. Unless you are planning on spending a lot of money to hunt a CWMU.

Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana would be on my radar. Colorado and Wyoming you could start building points now. I would wait on Montana.

 

[Next Ridge]

Outfitter in New Mexico

 

[philos]

I would look at Wyoming for point building given the time frame you are looking at.

 

[CarterHunt]

For points I'd say only Colorado and maaaybe Wyoming you have a decent chance of drawing a good limited entry hunt in your timeline, but you are highly unlikely to draw a Utah elk tag in 7-8 years.

A lot can and will change in terms of draw odds and tag availability between now and when you plan to hunt. But if I were in your shoes and looking for an outfitted hunt, I'd consider CO, WY general (might be a stretch depending on point creep), MT general units, or NM landowner tags. The type of outfitted hunt you want (private land vs. backcountry/horseback) should also be something to think about.

 

[wind gypsy]

Why is it going to take 7-8 years?

 

[Indian Summer]

The best tip I can give you given your timeframe is to buy some gear and just pick an area where you think you might hunt and go out in the summer and camp and hike it. You will learn more by doing that than by spending time on the computer. It would answer the majority of your questions.

It might even help you find out that elk hunting isn’t for you before you dump a bunch of money into it. When you’re starting from the ground up elk hunting isn’t cheap.

That’s how we end up with every piece of gear imaginable in the classified ads. People watch a bunch of TV by a bunch of shit, Go elk hunting…. crash and burn and sell it all.

 

[arwhntr]

Buy points during the point-only purchase periods in both Montana and Wyoming. When you're ready to go be sure to apply in the NM outfitter pool that year.

 

[OftenOutdoors]

I appreciate the responses. As for why I can’t go right now, I have work and family obligations that make it unrealistic in the near term. That being said, I think that I should be able to do this in about 8 years.

I know the landscape has continued changing for non-resident hunters and there is no predicting the future but I want to plan ahead as best I can.

Sounds like I should focus on Wyoming and Montana at the moment.

Thank you!

 

[Balderdash]

The best tip I can give you given your timeframe is to buy some gear and just pick an area where you think you might hunt and go out in the summer and camp and hike it. You will learn more by doing that than by spending time on the computer. It would answer the majority of your questions.

It might even help you find out that elk hunting isn’t for you before you dump a bunch of money into it. When you’re starting from the ground up elk hunting isn’t cheap.

That’s how we end up with every piece of gear imaginable in the classified ads. People watch a bunch of TV by a bunch of shit, Go elk hunting…. crash and burn and sell it all.

Good advice. I would add that it wouldn't also hurt to go during the hunting season you plan to hunt. You'll get a sense of the hunting pressure and of what it takes to have success in that unit. You'll also likely run into some good people who might be willing to help you along the path. My brother and I have done this exact thing on several occasions in draw units, and it has helped tremendously with our success when one of us actually draws a tag.

 

[roadrunner]

You could still apply for UT. The way they don't their draw is that 50% of tags go into the random pool to where points don't matter but could simply help by giving somewhat of an advantage.

UT's problem is they just don't offer enough tags making it tough to draw unless you're a max point holder in the other 50% tag pool.

 

[dirtytough]

I appreciate the responses. As for why I can’t go right now, I have work and family obligations that make it unrealistic in the near term. That being said, I think that I should be able to do this in about 8 years.

I know the landscape has continued changing for non-resident hunters and there is no predicting the future but I want to plan ahead as best I can.

Sounds like I should focus on Wyoming and Montana at the moment.

Thank you!

Don’t waste money on Montana preference points.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Come back in about 6 years and ask haha

 

[3325]

Wyoming is a great elk state. The R/NR percentage is 84/16 thanks to the outfitting lobby. I support NR hunting but I wish it was 90/10. That just seems sensible to me and a lot of other states are 90/10, although I believe Montana is 85/15. If you DIY, Wyoming isn’t your state for a wilderness area hunt.

 

[Fullfan]

Trust me, in 7-8 years a lot is going to change in all the western states.

 

[bojangles808]

you might as well just make an investment account for a landowner tag. you are late to the points game imo

 

[Huntingfarandwide]

If you can swing New Mexico that would be my choice.

 

[Calbuck]

Good advice. I would add that it wouldn't also hurt to go during the hunting season you plan to hunt. You'll get a sense of the hunting pressure and of what it takes to have success in that unit. You'll also likely run into some good people who might be willing to help you along the path. My brother and I have done this exact thing on several occasions in draw units, and it has helped tremendously with our success when one of us actually draws a tag.

This! Offer up your help packing someone’s meat out. That will tell you a little about yourself and the work it takes to get one out after success.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

I live in Utah and don’t know that I’d make it one of the top places in your scenario. Building points never hurts especially if you’re not aiming for the top units that have endless creep. But it wouldn’t be my first choice if I were you. Also it depends what weapon and season you are hoping to do. 8 years is also a long time. In-between now and then I would try to make it out west for a family camping trip or camping trip with some pals etc in a nearby area just to spend time in country you’ve narrowed down would prove invaluable when the time comes. Best of luck man!