New to Elk Hunting

J

Joe_DIY

New member
Apr 9, 2018
2
Hello All!

My name is Joe and I recently signed up for the UEH online course and am currently researching for my first ever elk hunt.

I am currently on the scouting portion of the course and have started looking at various states that I think would be a great adventure. The states that I am really drawn to are Colorado and Idaho. Typically, where I am from, when you hear the term "elk hunting" your mind immediately goes to Colorado. Which leads me to believe that hunting pressure is likely high in that state for an OTC archery hunt. So I am heavily leaning toward Idaho.

My question is, is Idaho a good place for a first elk hunt that is also going to be solo OTC archery? I am not looking for trophy class bulls and would be absolutely fine with taking a cow.

Thanks!
 
Welcome to the site Joe!

I personally haven?t OTC hunted either of them, but if I had my choice it would be Idaho. 
I?m sure there are many places in Colorado that don?t have bad pressure, but it seems like that place gets more highlighted than Idaho.  Idaho seems to have some great areas.  If you get in their game and fish website you?ll find some great scouting resources and there is NO SHORTAGE of land to hunt.

I?m sure some other people can speak from experience, but I think you?re on to something. 

Again welcome to the site and good luck to you this year.  Lots of smart guys around here and you?ll get some great info from that course. 


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Welcome Joe.
I?ve hunted both Colorado and Idaho. You got me thinking about it and it?s funny, I?ve run into more hunters in the backcountry in Idaho and more at the trailheads in Colorado. It seems to me in Colorado, when you hike 2 mile off the road, you?re 2 miles closer to the next road. In Idaho, you?re just 2 miles in. Does that make sense?
Both states have quality bulls if you?re willing to put in the time and boot leather to find them.
I would also recommend joining the Elk Foundation and contact your local chapter. Volunteer to help out and you?ll find a lot of guys that are willing to help you out.
Also, feel free to PM me and I?ll help you all I can.
Best of luck and remember not to over think this addicting sport.
Jim
 
Thanks for the info guys.

I pulled the trigger on an Idaho unit and am super stoked. Have found a few spots that look good from topo maps and am still in process of putting together a plan to have several locations to check out over my 2 week hunt.
 
Where did you get an elk tag? I hunt the panhandle and there are good numbers of elk but also of wolves and brush. The farther south you go the more open it gets but wolves and private property can be a problem.

As far as hunting pressure goes I guess it depends. Two years ago I saw enough people that I was considering doing something different because it was getting less and less enjoyable. Last year I hardly saw anyone.

Also depending on where you have decided to hunt and depending on how early you are going you may want to keep an eye on fires and have numerous places picked out to hunt. A bad fire year can easily carry into September and it can shut down entire forests until it rains. The last two years several of my favorite areas were off limits till we got rain around mid September.
 
ribo451 said:
Where did you get an elk tag? I hunt the panhandle and there are good numbers of elk but also of wolves and brush. The farther south you go the more open it gets but wolves and private property can be a problem.

As far as hunting pressure goes I guess it depends. Two years ago I saw enough people that I was considering doing something different because it was getting less and less enjoyable. Last year I hardly saw anyone.

Also depending on where you have decided to hunt and depending on how early you are going you may want to keep an eye on fires and have numerous places picked out to hunt. A bad fire year can easily carry into September and it can shut down entire forests until it rains. The last two years several of my favorite areas were off limits till we got rain around mid September.
Click to expand...

As were my spots. We found a new spot about 4 hours away and it Then snowed three feet mid September in the high country.  So we relocated again and finally got into some elk. But definitely watch the weather for fire and early season high country snow. Can put a twist in your plans for sure
 
Welcome to the forum. I'm in the same boat, a Wisconsinite deciding between Idaho and Colorado.

I too had always thought of Colorado as "the place to hunt elk" but as of late am leaning toward Idaho.

Good luck to both of us.

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