What state do you think has bigest elk?

[adamwipp07]

I've been reading alot on here about utah, and it sounds like its the best state for bulls over 350. Im 24 and thinking about starting to put in for pref. points some where for elk. Right now i have 10 points for colorado, that my dad started for me when I was 14. Im useing those this year on a muzzy hunt. I know that to get a good tag its probibly going to be 20 or 30 years or so! My question is what state would you recomend to start puting in for points in?

Also does anyone know about how elk over 400 are taken each year in Utah, or even nation wide?

 

[TOPGUN]

For an opportunity at a bull in the 350" range without waiting your entire life, I would would start building PPs in Wyoming. If I were you, I wouldn't even figure on a 400" fair chase bull being obtainable, as there aren't enough out in any of the states to try for IMHO!!! We can always dream and you never know when that one in millions will step out in our sights out though!!!

 

[adamwipp07]

I under stand that 400 is almost imposible, I was just wondering if any one knew how many are shot each year. My goal is to get a chance at a bull in 340 to 360 range in my life. This year im hunting colorado and im just hopeing to shoot a legal bull.

 

[hangfire]

If it was me I would apply for Arizona, Utah , Nevada, and New Mexico. With no points just apply and hope for the best. You can't play if you don't pay.

 

[Zim]

Just be well prepared to bend over in the future. The new game in town is states peddling points which they later cheapen, diverting more of the DIY tags to the wealthy. IMHO if you want to hunt trophy game you'd be much better off focusing your attention on making as much money as humanly possible and #1 don't get married to someone who quits and won't work down the road. If that happens you can forget about it. The states will force you to pay her welfare since they can't make her work.

That is the future of hunting. Some will scoff but I speak the truth.

If you want examples look what Utah has done & look what New Mexico is doing now.

Good luck, son.

 

[hiwydnheavy]

I would agree with "Hangfire" & you can look at Boone & Crockett as well as Pope & Young records books. AZ., NM., UT.& NV. but IMO apply in as many states as you can. build those points & hunt as much as you can, stay fit, focused & be ready when the opportunity arises! go to Game & Fish websites & look at their odds & harvest stats. It's like putting money in an account. save for the future. dont let people tell you...
you can't. look at the Raffles that are available as well. as long as you have a line in the water you have a chance.

 

[swbuckmaster]

your not old enough to draw a bull tag in Utah unless you get lucky in the bonus pool.

If bowhunting was easy rifle hunters would do it...

 

[mntman]

Lets say it does take you 20-30 years to draw a tag, you willing to bet all your money on one state? Back in 1997 I am sure that people did not think UT would have 15 bulls over 400" shot (guesstimate). That was only 10 years out. Who could accurately predict what each states policy, weather, tag numbers etc... will be like in 20+ years.

apply in all the states you can afford, that is basically your only option unles you only hunt your homestate (cheap) and then save every penny for an auction tag 20 years from now...

DON'T GET MARRIED! It will cost you many tags...
Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

 

[Anaconda]

Nobody really knows how many 400?+ bulls are taken each year. Some hunters kill one and don't tell many people, don't put the bull in a magazine or on the internet.

It's a safe guess Arizona and Utah are the best bets to produce a monster bull.

Both states now require you to ?buy? a non refundable hunting license in order to build ?points?.

Utah licenses are cheaper at $65 vs. $152 for Az, so it would seem cheaper to start building Utah points, but there are other things to consider.

Arizona?s Game commission seems to be made up of reasonably sane, stable people.
Utah?s game commission seems to be made up of people with mental health issues who change their minds every fifteen minuets. Building points in Utah is a gamble. By the time you have enough points, they may have decided to replace trophy elk with bunnies & butterflies.

Once you buy the license, points for different species only costs $10 each, so build points for every animal you think you will ever want to hunt. At your age, include moose, deer and sheep in Utah, deer, sheep and pronghorn in Az. (ten or twenty years from now, you will thank me for that advise).

Wyoming now has a points system and produces a good number of 350+ bulls, as does Nevada and Montana.
New Mexico is another great place to hunt elk, but no points system yet. Keep an eye on New Mexico, and if they go to a points system, jump in to it the first year.

 

[HalfAce]

Like some said, apply for as many states as you can afford. You can apply for Arizona, Utah, and Nevada for points without having to pay the whole tag fee upfront. New Mexico you gotta front the fee, I just cant do that right now so I dont participate in that state.

I have not hunted the LE elk in Utah, but the things some people are saying around here would have me rate Arizona over Utah right now. But things change from year to year.

Lastly, with 10 colorado PP's, I would hope you dont shoot the first legal bull you see! I remember shooting my first bull, and I couldnt be happier whether it was a raghorn or a 6 point. But you might regret not having those 10 points some day down the line when there will be many more people with that many or more points. If you would be happy with any legal bull, get an OTC tag and keep building the points.

 

[adamwipp07]

Thanks for the advise on not shooting the first legal bull I see. Im hunting during the muzzy season, in a area that supose to have pretty good numbers of elk. That said I have been told that there are not alot of big bulls in unit. I plan on holding out for a bull in the 280- 300 range for the first half of hunt. After that I will probly shoot any legal bull. I just cant wait to get out there and hunt and hopefully here some bugling elk, and my be call some in!

 

[2lumpy]

Sent you a PM.

DC

 

[adamwipp07]

2Lumpy, Thanks for the advice on puting money away each year in an account in stead of spending 500-1000 dollars to get points in states that may or may not be good in the future. My dad has 20 elk points and still cant seem to draw the unit he wants in colorado. A few years ago he saved up his money for a while and got a land owners tag for 61 muzzy. I think I might take your advise and do some thing like that.


Thanks for the help

Adam Wipperfurth
Madison,wisconsin

 

[PleaseDear]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-27-11 AT 03:30AM (MST)[p]TYPICAL ELK




CATEGORY American Elk Typical, YEARS 2005 to 2011, AWARDS MINIMUM 360, ALL-TIME MINIMUM 375, LOCATION All Locations



SCORE LOCATION HUNTER OWNER DATE RANK


1. 428 6/8 Grand, UT Ron F. Skoronski Ron F. Skoronski 2006 *


2. 413 2/8 Coconino, AZ William R. Dandy Eric Olson 2008 13


3. 412 7/8 Utah, UT Doug Degelbeck Doug Degelbeck 2006 14


4. 412 1/8 Coconino, AZ Kenneth S. Patterson Kenneth S. Patterson 2005 *


5. 411 3/8 Millard, UT Denny Austad Denny Austad 2006 16


6. 408 4/8 Millard, UT Lloyd R. Jacobsen Lloyd R. Jacobsen 2005 *


7. 408 1/8 Gila, AZ Thomas D. Friedkin Thomas D. Friedkin 2008 22


8. 404 6/8 Millard, UT Stephen C. Broadbent Stephen C. Broadbent 2006 *


9. 404 4/8 Gila, AZ Jay Scott Jay Scott 2005 28


10. 404 1/8 Graham, AZ Duane Chapman Duane Chapman 2007 29


11. 403 4/8 Garfield, UT Shan J. Ogden Shan J. Ogden 2006 31


12. 400 4/8 San Miguel, CO Dillon Z. Sanders Dillon Z. Sanders 2007 46


13. 399 4/8 Gila, AZ Dan J. Agnew Dan J. Agnew 2008 53


14. 397 6/8 Lincoln, NV Brandon L. Fordin Brandon L. Fordin 2007 62


15. 397 4/8 San Juan, UT Kelly L. Beckstead Kelly L. Beckstead 2007 65


16. 396 2/8 Socorro, NM Bill L. Clark Bill L. Clark 2006 75


17. 395 5/8 Park, WY Keith Hamilton Keith Hamilton 2005 79


18. 394 7/8 Graham, AZ John A. Cardwell John A. Cardwell 2007 87


19. 394 6/8 Catron, NM Clifton E. Kotrla Clifton E. Kotrla 2010 88


20. 394 2/8 Yavapai, AZ Randall S. Ulmer Randall S. Ulmer 2009 94


21. 394 2/8 Beaver, UT Garry D. Matson Garry D. Matson 2005 94


22. 394 1/8 Wayne, UT Victor K. Jones Victor K. Jones 2005 101


23. 394 1/8 Navajo, AZ Gregory D. Seay Gregory D. Seay 2008 101


24. 392 7/8 Cibola, NM Paul L. Cool Paul L. Cool 2005 117


25. 392 6/8 Yellowstone, MT Walter A.Tate Walter A.Tate 2006 118


26. 392 5/8 Garfield, UT Richard L. Crawford, Jr. Richard L. Crawford, Jr. 2009 119


27. 391 6/8 Big Horn, MT Salvatore Blancato Salvatore Blancato 2008 130


28. 391 Beaver, UT Aaron W. Cox Aaron W. Cox 2006 140


29. 390 3/8 Garfield, UT K'Dee Gardner K'Dee Gardner 2006 146


30. 390 1/8 Watrous, SK Dwayne G. Miller Dwayne G. Miller 2009 152


31. 389 5/8 Coconino, AZ Herman C. Meyer Herman C. Meyer 2005 156


32. 389 5/8 White Pine, NV Tim A. Horn Tim A. Horn 2005 156


33. 389 3/8 Billings, ND Terry J. Doll Terry J. Doll 2007 165


34. 389 2/8 Fergus, MT Chad I. Ward Chad I. Ward 2009 168


35. 389 1/8 Beaver, UT Travis J. Willden Travis J. Willden 2006 171


36. 389 Blaine, ID Brock Fife Brock Fife 2010 173


37. 388 7/8 Golden Valley, MT Janna M. Heiken Janna M. Heiken 2005 176


38. 388 6/8 Elko, NV Brian D. Carone Brian D. Carone 2007 178


39. 388 6/8 Blaine, MT Dave J. Bymaster Dave J. Bymaster 2008 178


40. 388 4/8 Park, MT Nicholas M. Solari Nicholas M. Solari 2006 183


41. 388 Beaver, UT Kevin T. Klumper Kevin T. Klumper 2008 192


42. 387 6/8 Garfield, UT Clint Fullmer Clint Fullmer 2005 200


43. 387 5/8 San Juan, UT Vicki G. Jackman Vicki G. Jackman 2010 204


44. 387 Edgerton, AB Ray H. Cote Ray H. Cote 2008 216


45. 386 5/8 Goshen, WY David A. Stenson David A. Stenson 2005 224


46. 386 2/8 Lincoln, NV Daniel L. Evans Daniel L. Evans 2005 231


47. 386 2/8 White Pine, NV Edward M. Neilsen Edward M. Neilsen 2005 231


48. 386 San Juan, UT Tim C. Simonsen Tim C. Simonsen 2006 240


49. 386 Johnson, WY Charlie C. Carter Charlie C. Carter 2008 240


50. 385 7/8 Lincoln, WY Heath L. Eddins Heath L. Eddins 2009 244




Robb

 

[PleaseDear]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-27-11 AT 03:30AM (MST)[p]NON-TYPICAL ELK



CATEGORY American Elk Non-Typical, YEARS 2006 to Current Year, AWARDS MINIMUM 385, ALL-TIME MINIMUM 385, LOCATION All Locations



SCORE LOCATION HUNTER OWNER DATE RANK


1. 478 5/8 Piute, UT Denny Austad Denny Austad 2008 1


2. 441 6/8 Clinton, PA John A. Shirk John A. Shirk 2006 9


3. 441 3/8 Navajo, AZ William H. Junell William H. Junell 2008 *


4. 436 4/8 Columbia, WA Dan J. Agnew Dan J. Agnew 2008 11


5. 423 6/8 Clearfield, PA Reed L. Bamberger Reed L. Bamberger 2009 19


6. 423 3/8 Gila, AZ James R. Boldt James R. Boldt 2007 21


7. 423 Wayne, UT Darrell Snedeger Darrell Snedeger 2007 22


8. 419 6/8 Takhini River, YT Alan Klassen Alan Klassen 2009 27


9. 416 6/8 Beaver, UT Mitch R. Carter Mitch R. Carter 2008 32


10. 416 4/8 Gila, AZ Michael S. Park Michael S. Park 2009 34


11. 414 2/8 Loon Lake, SK Chris Wenger Chris Wenger 2010 43


12. 413 6/8 Sheridan, WY Gary D. Schock Gary D. Schock 2008 46


13. 411 1/8 Douglas, CO James L. Ziemer James L. Ziemer 2009 54


14. 410 7/8 Lincoln, NV Sam S. Jaksick, Jr. Sam S. Jaksick, Jr. 2006 56


15. 409 7/8 Garden, NE Dana L. Foster Dana L. Foster 2008 60


16. 409 6/8 Park, WY Chris C. Renner Chris C. Renner 2009 62


17. 408 3/8 Garfield, UT Joshua S. Pollock Joshua S. Pollock 2007 70


18. 407 7/8 Custer, MT Timothy M. Donnelly Timothy M. Donnelly 2008 74


19. 407 7/8 White Pine, NV Quentin R. Jones Quentin R. Jones 2010 74


20. 404 3/8 Beaver, UT Mike J. Coelho Mike J. Coelho 2006 95


21. 403 7/8 Catron, NM Charles J. Sillivent Charles J. Sillivent 2006 100


22. 403 6/8 Mora, NM Zane T. Streater Zane T. Streater 2008 103


23. 403 2/8 Piute, UT Greg Holman Greg Holman 2006 108


24. 402 6/8 Coconino, AZ Dion M. Laney Dion M. Laney 2007 115


25. 401 1/8 Socorro, NM Tod L. Reichert Tod L. Reichert 2008 128


26. 400 5/8 Millard, UT Ron Mika Ron Mika 2006 134


27. 400 3/8 Saskatchewan River, SK Jamie Freedman Jamie Freedman 2008 138


28. 399 2/8 Emery, UT Todd Pedersen Todd Pedersen 2006 147


29. 398 4/8 Navajo, AZ Don P. Barry Don P. Barry 2008 149


30. 398 4/8 Coconino, AZ Robert E. Hallagan Robert E. Hallagan 2008 149


31. 398 Cassia, ID K.C. A. Ramsey K.C. A. Ramsey 2008 157


32. 397 3/8 Cache, UT Cory L. Meacham Cory L. Meacham 2007 164


33. 396 1/8 Nelson, BC Andrew B. Walker Andrew B. Walker 2008 170


34. 396 Garfield, UT Robert A. Bulloch Robert A. Bulloch 2008 171


35. 395 7/8 Cibola, NM David A. Young David A. Young 2008 173


36. 395 1/8 Cameron, PA Lisa R. Banasick Lisa R. Banasick 2009 177


37. 394 2/8 Natrona, WY Steve R. Lamb Steve R. Lamb 2006 187


38. 393 7/8 Garfield, UT Paul R. Jibson Paul R. Jibson 2006 190


39. 393 5/8 Kittitas, WA Donald E. Myhre Donald E. Myhre 2009 193


40. 393 4/8 Moose Mt. Prov. Park, SK Vernon H. Muford Vernon H. Muford 2006 194


41. 393 4/8 Beaver, UT Garth K. Carter Garth K. Carter 2006 194


42. 391 4/8 Apache, AZ Robert L. Hudman Robert L. Hudman 2009 210


43. 391 Gila, AZ Jay Scott Jay Scott 2006 214


44. 389 7/8 Weber, UT Doug Hamblin Doug Hamblin 2006 221


45. 389 7/8 McKenzie, ND Mark A. Stewart Mark A. Stewart 2007 221


46. 389 1/8 Garfield, UT Kyle Bone Kyle Bone 2008 227


47. 389 Iron, UT Tyson T. Thompson Tyson T. Thompson 2006 229


48. 387 7/8 Windy Lake, AB George J. Kueber George J. Kueber 2007 237


49. 387 6/8 Clackamas, OR Kristian R. Baillie Kristian R. Baillie 2010 238


50. 387 4/8 Garfield, UT A. Neal Barton A. Neal Barton 2006 240




Robb

 

[huntinnut]

Arizona is a good state to start in, but dont just buy points. Make sure you put in for the tag because all money exept for the 7.50 for the point is refunded anyways. Our bonus point system here is a hoax, you can draw the tags as easy your first time as if you had 15 points. I drew my sheep tag with 4 points and my dad has been putting in for 20 plus years with no success. My brother had 7 archery bull tags in a row.I drew 2 bull tags ,missed a year and drew a third, then missed 8 years and drew 2 more in a row.So my point is you never know here in Az. Our point system is a joke, Good luck to all that Try it this year.

 

[huntazido]

huntinnut are you and your family residents or non-residents of AZ? As residents, I believe what you are saying does occur on some rare occassions. As a resident,I did well in the draw until a few years ago. However, to say a NR could draw an archery bull tag 7 years in a row is kind of like winning the lottery with 100 million in it. Please congratulate your brother for me, as I think he may be the only NR to ever accomplish this feat. Just say'n

The best advice I've heard. Apply in states such as AZ, NV, WY and especially NM (everyones odds are the same each year because as of right now they have no points system). Get an education then a good paying job so you don't have to depend on anyone but yourself. Save up and buy landowner tags along the way. You will probably hunt more often and the costs will be similar. Lastly, don't get married. I hate to say it but in the majority of cases a good marriage, lots of hunting and happy home life just does not occur in most families. You may have one, but you won't have all three. Others may disagree but it is the truth as I know it. So be ready to sacrifice something.

Good Luck and make the most of the rest of your life!

 

[huntinnut]

huntazido, Sorry I didnt mention we are az residents. I have taken a good amount of non residents that drew on ther first year or at least within their first few years of putting in. It just seems to me our bonus point system is flawed, and people could draw at anytime.

 

[5575gb]

I always thought that $152 for AZ was nonrefundable?

 

[vmcfadden]

You are correct the $152 is non refundable but once you pay that it only cost you $7.50 per species. So apply for any you think you may decide to hunt for in the future. If you want a chance to draw a certain species you have to put the tag money upfront but if you don't get drawn you get the tag money back. If you only want a point it only cost you $7.50 per species with no money upfront except the one time $152 you pay for the license.

 

[adamwipp07]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-27-11 AT 06:26PM (MST)[p]Thats what my dad told me also? Az was one of the most expencive states to billed points, but they have good trophy elk. Does anyone know how much az really costs for a non-res to apply?

I missed the last message! must have sent mine at same time, thanks for the info

 

[theox]

arizona pumps out big bulls but i think you gotta be a little choosey on the unit. nearly any LE elk unit in utah has a chance at good bull. there are a few that would be a lot of work but nearly all are capable of 330+ bulls consistently.
nevada will take 50 years to draw i bet. new mexico has great elk.
wyoming also has great elk

 

[adamwipp07]

Thanks every one for the info! Does any one know what going on with new mexico? Did the new rules about non-res hunters go through? and will this effect the this years draw odds if you put in with an outfitter?

 

[Codylee1985]

For Non-Residents AZ is a Non-Refundable $151.25 hunting license, then either 7.50 for a bonus point only or 595.00 to apply, so if you don't draw you will get a refund of 587.50. Glad I'm a resident of AZ since its one of the more expensive states to apply. Kinda nice it only cost a bill to apply for elk and deer in ut and that even includes my fishing license that covers my lake powell stamp!
If I were you guys I'd just forget about applying for elk in Arizona...Draw odds are horrible and our elk herd is overrated. Not to mention the less of you guys that apply, the better my draw odds are!!! JK!

 

[Califelkslayer]

The advice you got is good EXCEPT I disagree with the Nevada comment (50 years)

I drew a muzzy tag in Nevada in "09" with 6 PPs. In the Ely unit which gets most of the press/hype. Fantastic hunt.

Argueably the best tag Nevada gave out for years was the early hunt in Unit 16. Over a thousand folks put it in as their first choice and 2 years in a row it went to someone with 0 PPs. That tag is not offered to NRs anymore but it is a good example..

At least buy the point in Wyoming for $50.00 a year. But if you apply you can always draw a tag on the random draw if there are 4 or more tags in the unit you apply for.

Utah, for about a $100.00 you can apply for elk,deer,antelope, moose, sheep and goat. Buffalo too.

I don't apply in Arizona anymore BUT I've been asking myself why for the last couple of years. Guess I feel I missed the boat years ago.

New Mexico has also been a place you could apply for primo elk units, as good as anywhere (with long draw odds) and only be out a few bucks. Seems that is gonna change in 2012.

All that said, you will endure frustration over the years. As was mentioned earlier, almost every state has done something to screw up their system in the last 5 years.

Colorado gave up to 40% of their tags to NRs up to 5 years ago. Now they give up to 20%. Units that gave out 3 tags then, only give out one now. When you think you are getting close, with only a couple dozen guys in front of you, thinking in 5-6 years they'll be in my point pool, then BAM! They double/triple the time it'll take you to get there.

Utah gives out so many more tags to Wildlife Organizations then are in the NR draw, it ain't even funny. And then in "08" they start making you buy a $65.00 license too.

Oregon just tripled their fees last year and I personally had 34 PPs in that state. The rest of the family had a combined 40. I couldn't afford to put my wife, son and step-son in so I didn't add to my points either. Felt it wasn't right for me to apply if I couldn't afford them. Back in this year but still Pi$$ed. As I draw each species, I'm done playing their game.

AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT WOLVES

All my whining, I still play.

If I was 24 again, this is what I'd do, in this order as money allows. I base this on wamting some kind of hunt every year. At 24 you need some experience hunting elk (or tons of luck) to be successful

1) Arizona elk/deer/maybe antelope

2) Utah Everything I ever think I may hunt.

3) New Mexico (if things don't change) Apply for the best and don't count on anything there.

4) Nevada ($140.00 license) Apply for everything i think I may hunt someday. Years you got something else going apply for only one choice, the one you figure is the best hunt availible for that species. Other years, research hard. There is a reason I drew an elk tag with 6 PPs. The muzzy hunt for that unit had the best elk draw odds in the state although the rifle hunt had long odds.

5) Start hunting Colorado for elk after you use your points. I burned 13 PPs in "08." My plan is an archery hunt in a 1 PP unit, every other year. Yours may be a 0 or 1 PP 1st rifle, or maybe even an OTC tag. You can kill elk regularly in Colorado after you learn a unit.

6) Wyoming You can hunt the General, regular price about 2 out of every 3 years. Special, every year. My suggestion? Build points, at 24 you'll get a great hunt outta Wyoming someday. You can even draw the GENERAL as a second choice if you pay the Special price.


Or put $1,000.00-$1,500.00 away every year and buy a good tag in NM, Co, Nv every 2-5 years.

Good luck

 

[GBTG]

X2 Cali excellent synopsis

 

[SPAZ]

Everybody's caught up on the over-hyped trophy hunting units that require 5% drawing odds or less if you don't have a decade or two worth of points. I love that few mention Montana, where you can draw a tag roughly 75% of the time and hunt piles of areas that have 350 bulls for 3 solid months.

 

[Iowan]

Before you apply in Utah look at the number of people that have points ahead of you and then look at the number fo tags that are given out each year - your prediction of a hunt in 20 years is pretty optimistic. I have six points for elk and will not be hunting anytime soon - once they allowed non-residents to apply for all species your wait increased significantly. Thank your dad for building those points for you in Colorado that was very smart.

 

[westelkman]

Get a petroleum eng. degree or natural resource degree and move to Canada- British Columbia to be exact....plenty of otc big bulls [not 400" but who the heck cares!]

Oh , and as a bonus you can hunt 3 species of sheep over the counter and the most big game species of any state or province. The only animal that is draw is Grizz and maybe some specific areas last I checked.


"In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences"
Robert Green Ingersoll