Best Place for an Outdoorsman to Live

Ozzy · Feb 9, 2018

Howdy,

I know this is a common thread theme, but I am looking for opinions on the best place for an avid outdoorsman to live. I am from out East, but have lived in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona (military moves). I am addicted to the mountains, the open space, the isolation, and the hunting/fishing. I can't imagine settling down anywhere else. I don't necessarily want to be a total off the grid mountain man (the wife wouldn't agree to it). I would like to be somewhere where there are mountain views, some sort of infrastructure relatively close, but within a stone's throw of total wilderness. A state with plentiful resident tags and a sensible wildlife management plan that isn't going to ruin the big game population in the next 10 years is also key. Quality fishing is a nice bonus. I most enjoy elk and deer hunting. Based on my research thus far, Wyoming and Idaho seem to be the best two states for what I am after. I haven't narrowed it down to many cities yet, but Cody, Wyoming seems promising. Anyone have any opinions on this?

Cheers

N_Corey · Feb 9, 2018

Cody is pretty nice but also fairly expensive because it's such a tourist area. I'd probably look at typical weather also when looking. Some areas can get pretty cold at times in the winter with a lot of wind but it just depends if that bothers you.

Hunt_the_West · Feb 9, 2018

Wyoming and Montana and probably in that order. As the other post says Cody is pretty expensive living.

Teepee · Feb 9, 2018

Sheridan-Buffalo (Bighorn Mtns) of northern Wyoming is hard to beat. I may be a bit biased though.

ArizonaBuild · Feb 9, 2018

Pinedale, WY. Beautiful, plentiful game, awesome fishing, close to Jackson and reasonable distance to Salt Lake for "big city life".

JakeSwensen · Feb 10, 2018

In the country around Lander, Wyoming or Idaho Falls, Idaho would both be nice. I would say Alaska but I know my wife wouldn't go for it.[font face="verdana" color="green"]
Jake Swensen

Jerry · Feb 10, 2018

I have lived in Flagstaff, Az., Cheyenne, Wy., now Ft Collins, Co.. Cities I would recommend are:
Lander, Wy., Riverton, Wy., Pinedale , Wy., Rawlins, Wy.. Cody , Wy-- too expensive housing. For pure location for hunting & fishing, Rawlins is just amazing, but very windy at times, Great Lake fishing at Huge Seminoe Lake nearby, Miracle Mile North Platte River approx 80 miles away, paradise for Sportsmen. Town is small at maybe 6-10 k people.

Lander , Wy-- very clean town & great people too. Pinedale , Wy., too much oil & gas activity going on & other less than great weather in winter time. Forget Jackson, Wy-- another Aspen, $$$$ on housing just out of sight !!! Too many rich people there.

Riverton, Wy.-- a sleeper worth a look. Not much wind here ! Normally.

Overall, City-- Rawlins, Wyoming--State of Wyoming the easy winner. Rawlins also easy drive to Salt Lake City on Interstate & access to big city & large airport.
Glad to assist. Good luck. Happy Hunting & Good Fishing !
Jerry Gold
Ft Collins, Colorado
E Mail: [email protected]
307--772--1623

Horsecorn · Feb 11, 2018

Just remember if you go to Rawlins take your best kite cause you'll need it. The cheaper kites won't hold up to those winds.

dihardhunter · Feb 11, 2018

I always told myself Thompson Falls, MT, would be about as good as it gets.

338winmag · Feb 11, 2018

I would look at Saratoga or encampment wyo. I grew up in Saratoga and my folks and oldest brother still live there. It is awesome small town with everything you are looking for.

Wyohunter1 · Feb 12, 2018

I live in Cody, housing is expensive. Not much more than any other place that are desirable in Wyoming.

Bwht4x4 · Feb 12, 2018

Housing costs are relative. To some Cody may look expensive, but for someone coming from a high cost area with a lot of equity in their current could pay cash for nearly any home on the market in Cody right now. In fact, Cody looks like a bargain compared to where I'm from!

hank4elk · Feb 12, 2018

Not NM.

HorseCreek · Feb 12, 2018

I just bought a place in Alpine Wyo on 12 acres....its heaven on earth. No state income tax and world class hunting and fishing in my back yard. Idaho border is my front yard with great hunting, boating and snowmobiling.

Traditional >>>------->

Ozzy · Feb 12, 2018

I appreciate the inputs from all of you. Looks like Western Wyoming wins. Now I have to begin narrowing that down to individual towns. I'm several years away from pulling the trigger, but dangit it's fun to start planning. Cheers!

OutdoorWriter · Feb 12, 2018

My middle-aged son, who was living in TX at the time, wanted to relocate to the same sort of place you're looking for. He did quite a bit of research and eventually settled on Afton, WY. He's been there about a year and really likes it.

TONY MANDILE

How To Hunt Coues Deer

Ozzy · Apr 7, 2018

What do you guys think about Northern NM? Or11 Southern Colorado?

BeanMan · Apr 8, 2018

If I could choose anywhere it would be...Wanaka, New Zealand.

Hasbean

brdhuntr · Apr 8, 2018

Which is where my whole family will be moving if Oprah becomes president!!!

Triple_BB · Apr 8, 2018

>Overall, City-- Rawlins, Wyoming--State of Wyoming
>the easy winner. Rawlins also
>easy drive to Salt Lake
>City on Interstate & access
>to big city & large
>airport.

That's funny stuff right there, don't care who you are. If they were gonna give the state of Wyoming an enima, they'd insert the tube in Rawlins.

If yer serious about Cody, but concerned about cost, consider Powell. Plus the wind stops blowing at the Corbett bridge...

Hiker of the Woods · Apr 9, 2018

Oregon for lots of OTC tags for numerous species and great ocean, river and lake fishing for just about everything you can imagine. Oregon is almost 50% public land that is easy to access while other western states have a lot of public land that is landlocked by private so public can not get access. Cost of living is good.

RELH · Apr 9, 2018

I would not move to Oregon as it is following suit to being another liberal CA. Like CA. the liberals have heavy populations in Portland, Springfield-Eugene area and some of the costal areas and control the votes like is done in CA.
No sales tax, but property tax is high compared to many areas. I vacation a lot in Oregon, but would not move there and I live in Northern CA.

RELH