OTC/DIY elk for '07. idaho or colorado?

Triple_Shock · Dec 24, 2006

hey y'all, after another spike this year here in wa(3rd in 5 years) me and my dad will be heading east for branch antlered bulls. here in wa all our rifle hunts are spike only unless you draw a branched bull permit. with most units having about 30 or less tags for 5000+ apps im cutting my losses and will begin hunting outa state from now on. we've hunted idaho and montana for deer and other than my dad packing in to the middle fork in idaho back in the 80's numerouse times, we've never been outa state for elk. im not looking for anything spectacular but having a chance at animals in the 300 class range would be nice. im also interesed in building points for a chance at a real trophy sometime in the next 5 or 10 years, but thats a topic for another thread.... after doing some research, including seaching the archives on this site and looking over the idaho, colorado, wyoming and utah dept. of wildlife sites iv decided on either idaho (much closer) or maybe colorado if it would be worth the extra 10 hour drive. what do y'all have to say about the OTC opportunities offered in these 2 states? i really have very little knowledge of the units and especially the country/hunting pressure/practicality of hunting either state for an OTC bull. we will be on foot and are both in good shape, with a wall tent and a weeks worth of time to spend in the woods. id appreciate any opionions you guys have to offer in helping a couple of 'outa staters' with a branched bull hunt for 07.

Outdoordan · Dec 25, 2006

I take it you are referring to Rifle? I have hunted both states in several areas, but mostly with bow. The elk hunting is similar, altho, I would say Idaho is a little rougher country. Not that there isn't just as rough areas in Colorado, it just seems that most of the elk country is up and down in Idaho. On the rifle hunt, getting away from the crowds can be very important, I would suggest a drop camp to limit competition. Another idea, is to get into the Idaho draw. It has no bonus or preference point program, so drawing is a real possibility. Some real good areas are 44, 48, 49, 50, 51, 36A, the Lemhi's.
I know the panhandle has some good hunting but have only hunted whitetails there. Also, the east/southeast (60's and 70's)have real good elk, again never hunted them.
The Salmon zone would be my Idaho over the counter choice, have seen some nice bulls in 36B and 28.

springbear · Dec 27, 2006

You would be crazy not to get into the draw in Idaho, especially if you are commited to hunt there anyway. You have to have a tag and licence to put in for the draws...
I have not hunted CO, can't speak to it, but the state seems to have more then its fair share of elk.
Idaho. If you guys want a good experience, bow hunt. That is really the best hunting in the state. low success rates, well because bow huntign is harder then gun hunting... but for encounters with good bulls, it can't be beat. When the gun season starts, the elk get out of the way and there are a ton of people hutning. Mostly for the same reason you are headed here...
As far as the draw hunts, I am not giving any info out because I put in for some as well. I will tell you that Idaho has the info avaliable on the web site. Number of hunter, success, rates I am sure you know what I am tlaking about... Pick one and put in..
Good luck.