Which State for Elk

[WRO]

Oregon should be on your list


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[CCooper]

Idaho- no need to build points.

 

[Customweld]

Idaho- no need to build points.

Not yet….

 

[CCooper]

Not yet….

There will more than likely always be the opportunity to buy a NR tag off an outfitter.

 

[MEdude]

What’s a ball park cost of an Idaho outfitter tag hunt?

 

[WRO]

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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[dirtytough]

@406huntermt do you have any actual input?

 

[JM151]

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.

 

[ElDiablito]

Anywhere but Colorado….

 

[JM151]

Anywhere but Colorado….

They won’t have elk anyway……with all the new wolves they added. Lol

 

[OftenOutdoors]

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.

 

[timekiller13]

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]

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.

 

[MallardSX2]

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.

 

[MallardSX2]

Friends don't let friends apply in 11 states totaling 76 preference point applications per year.....

$$$$$ Yowzah.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

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.

 

[Weldor]

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.

If you want NM landowner tags start saving now, who knows what it will cost in 7-8 years. $$$$$$$$$$$

 

[backwoods baw]

Which states would you recommend I start accumulating points in?

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[nphunter]

I'm all for DIY and would personally never use and outfitter. I also grew up out west and have been killing elk since I was 12yrs old and have killed over 30 of them. However, if I were in your shoes and don't have the time to commit to hunting then I think your money would be better spent somewhere besides points. I would suggest putting $1K in the bank for the next 8 years and when the time comes hire an outfitter with a guaranteed tag, most outfitters can and likely will be able to get archery tags almost every year for NR.

If you have the money to pay for an outfitted hunt already you can buy points but IMO you're just throwing money out the window unless your 100% committed to DIY. Most outfitted hunts take minimal to zero points to draw and are going to have better odds of filling your tag than even the best limited entry tags DIY.

States I think are decent to build points in, NV, WY, OR and probably CO. The problem with points is most states require a license $200is and a fee per point, $8 to $50+ per point, so by the time you add all that up for a half dozen states you would be better off just putting your money in the bank and saving it for a outfitted hunt.