Which State for Elk

WRO

WKR
Joined
Nov 6, 2013
Messages
3,563
Location
Idaho
What’s a ball park cost of an Idaho outfitter tag hunt?

Depends on the unit 5-25k for the hunt.

Oregon is 5-9 unless you’re in one of the premier units which you probably won’t even have a chance to buy a tag in.


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JM151

FNG
Joined
May 11, 2021
Messages
53
If you want to go now then just buy a landowner tag…..probably cost you about 14k-17k. Unfortunately you’re late to the point game. As others have mentioned waiting 8 years from now a lot can change and when it does it won’t benefit you.

I recommend states that don’t play the point game and save your money for a landowner tag.
 
Last edited:
OP
O
Joined
Jan 30, 2024
Messages
11
Anywhere but Colorado….😉

Haha. I appreciate the responses. As mentioned, the timing does not work for me right now so I am trying to plan soMewhat ahead for when I am able to make the trip. Looks like I need to do a little more research.
 
Joined
Dec 28, 2015
Messages
923
If you’re going with an outfitter, screw the points and get a landowner tag in New Mexico. You could probably get an outfitted hunt with tag for $7-10k in a mid tier unit. If you want a high end trophy unit then it’s going to be 20-30k.

You could probably do a landowner tag in a low end draw unit in Colorado with an outfitter for $7-8k.
 

Tod osier

WKR
Joined
Sep 11, 2015
Messages
1,728
Location
Fairfield County, CT -> Sublette County, WY
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!

I would not be surprised if a general tag would be unreachable in 8 years with 8 points in WY. Sucks, but that is the way it is going.
 
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
2,704
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.

If I was looking for an elk adventure in 7-8 years, I would just save ~$2,000-$3000/year and get a couple landowner permits and go on 2 really good private land hunts in 10 years.

I spent over $3000 last year on points for my wife and I, and we didn't even load a gun or knock an arrow in the west... We have done that for a decade and only burned a few point tags due to goalpost moving, point creep, and decreased NR opportunity.

Simply put, there is no way I would get into a preference point game/scheme on the ground floor at this point unless I was pretty young. We are lucky that we are just barely ahead of a MASSIVE bubble of applicants in a few states. I am glad I have the points I have, and it should pay off with some "Decent" tags, but I wish I could sell all of my points and walk away.

The only state that provided any form of predictability was Colorado and now that is toast......sigh.
 
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
2,704
Friends don't let friends apply in 11 states totaling 76 preference point applications per year.....

$$$$$ Yowzah.
 
Joined
Aug 11, 2017
Messages
2,762
Location
Florida
WY and maybe CO.
Don’t waste money on MT points. Your preference points would get purged every other year if you don’t apply and the bonus points wouldn't amount to enough for any quality LE hunt. When ready just buy preference the year before (if it’s still a thing) or go in random gen pool.
 
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