2017 First time archery elk hunt

[colesmall]

Not looking for a specific area or unit to hunt, but mainly want to get your guys opinions on what is the best state for a novice to get his feet wet in archery elk hunting. Have grown up my whole life around elk hunting, my uncles are guides in NM but have never gotten the chance to get out and plan my own elk hunting trip. Never have taken an elk. I'm 23 and I love the solitude and I'm in good shape to get to places deep in the backcountry. I'm stuck between Idaho and Colorado. Just planning on an OTC tag. Bull is a bonus for this trip as I just want to learn as much as possible.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

No one rolls out the red carpet for otc hunters more than CO does. Idaho has great opportunity also but there's a hard winter coming to a halt there right now and winterkill severity remains to be seen. Utah is another good one... especially if you'd be content with a spike.

 

[colesmall]

No one rolls out the red carpet for otc hunters more than CO does. Idaho has great opportunity also but there's a hard winter coming to a halt there right now and winterkill severity remains to be seen. Utah is another good one... especially if you'd be content with a spike.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll be interested to see on here what the people in Idaho say about the winterkill. I'll look into Utah too. Would just love to pack a freezer this year.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

Then a spike/cow tag in Utah might be your best friend... most of the time these are trophy units and take years to draw bull tags but less desirable tags are easy to get. It'll let you scout and hunt a "trophy unit" for a spike or cow. You can decide the. If it's worth the pref. Points and wait to go back with a coveted any bull tag.

 

[Turnercody]

In my opinion as a utah resident and many others, Utah does not offer great otc  elk archery tags. Where as colorado and Idaho do... not saying guys aren't successful or anything like that but there's only a handful of any bull units with the rest being hunters choice spike or cow...but the main drag in Utah is the datesat which your allowed to hunt. Check them out for yourself.  Your no where near the rut. Where both in Colorado and Idaho your all the way through September!  If that's important to you then the states you initially thought of are money... 

 

[ILbowhntr]

I've hunted OTC in both Idaho and Colorado. More elk in Colorado and more hunters. It's a tough call. Going back to Colorado this year for no other reason than it's where I hunted last and have a buddy there. Pick your unit carefully and you'll have a great hunt. Heck, it's elk hunting!

 

[colesmall]

Definitely appreciate the replies! For some reason Idaho just keeps coming back to me, but we will see. Colorado seems like a good go to as well. Can't wait to get out there and just learn. Just starting the online course so I'm sure that will help a bunch.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

Idaho in general has the most rugged wilderness's in the lower 48. That might be a strike against for some but certainly is a pro for me. When I think of what the text book definition of a wilderness area should be the Frank Church is about as iconic as it gets.