Idaho or Colorado for OTC archery?

[RidgeRebel]

I have hunted OTC elk in CO a few times and have found a decent area. However, Idaho is really appealing to me. Idaho seems a little more complicated to narrow down a good area to try, so I am torn between hunting where I know or trying Idaho. I would like to see what you other guys that hunt OTC elk think. Idaho seems very vague about herd numbers for each unit, how do you guys narrow down a good unit in Idaho? Thanks for any advice you are willing to share

 

[bowhunt]

I hunt Idaho every year for elk, and have a great time.
I focus on archery.
There are units with good numbers.
Call the fg for each area, I have found them helpful.
Also, if you buy a license, you may as well apply for a limited tag.

 

[lip_curl]

the web site has success rates for every unit. keep in mind the units w/ the highest success, also have the most pressure. 320 bull is a good bull in most OTC units.

 

[RidgeRebel]

I am happy with any branch antlered bull on OTC Archery for now. My issue is do I hunt where I know in Colorado because I know it and that is half the battle or is the there better opportunity in Idaho. An opportunity worth switching to Idaho and learning a new area.

 

[idahoan]

Depends on how adventurous you want to be. Being from Idaho, most years I do the general archery. about 5 years ago I left the unit I grew up hunting and it was the best decision I've made in hunting. But it still has its learning curves. Been successful 2 of 4 years, but have had other opportunities.
Good Luck

 

[bowhunt]

Sorry, I misread your post.
I did not see that you want to archery hunt.

I am from Idaho originally, and have hunted it about every year for archery elk.

You can shoot me an email, and I will get you my phone number, we can talk about options. It can be confusing to figure out.

[email protected]

 

[goinhuntn]

If your familiar with your area in Colorado I would keep pounding it unless you are just looking for something new. I hunt the same unit in Arizona year after year. Deer I hunt archery OTC & waiting to draw elk again everytime I am there I find something new. I learn more & more about the unit & it is going to pay off when I finally draw my archery elk tag. Just my 2 cents.

 

[missalot]

The guys who are successful in Idaho know the units well. Many, many hunters go the entire season without seeing an elk and lots of units are crowded. I'll tell you what, I've been thinking of heading to CO. I'll give you my elk spots in Idaho for your elk spots in Colorado.

 

[jims]

Are you planning on just going to one state/year? If you are successful here in Colo and only want to hunt one state I'm not sure why you would wander elsewhere unless you want to try out new country. Colo OTC hunts on public land can be what you make of them. I generally explore and expand areas I hunt on a regular basis so I learn them even more. If you have plenty of vacation time I see no harm in trying Colo plus Idaho. I'm doing the same thing with turkeys! Can't get enough turkeys in Colo and Nebraska so I'd like to expand to Kansas!