Miller8812
Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2017
- Messages
- 85
Hey guys , me and 3 or 4 buddies are planning our first elk hunting trip, we were debating archery OTC tags in Colorado, or general rifle tags in Montana. What would you do and why?
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colorado, bigger animals and much better chance of taking one.
Colorado, bigger animals and much better chance of taking one.
Between the two, I'd chose another option, like a first season rifle tag in Colorado that requires 0 preference points. Elk hunting in Montana can be challenging, you are looking at 3% chance of killing an elk in Montana for the first time. I heard that from a friend, but seems pretty accurate. Like the EL Unit said, Colorado has 275,000 elk in a much smaller area, than Montana which has about 150,000 over a much larger difficult area. I've hunted both states about six-10 times each, and for just getting an opportunity to see elk Colorado wins. I'd would also consider another option than a OTC archery tag, it can get very crowded during the archery season in Colorado. Good luck and review the online state management websites for herd info.
We were under the impression all of first rifle season tags were draw?
Yes, all the first rifle season tags are a draw. But some units can be drawn every year with zero preference points (the first year you apply). You just have to look at the odds and figure out which units those are and which one you want to hunt. Then apply in the draw. I believe the deadline for the CO draw is in April if I remember correctly.
Don't leave Idaho out of this conversation.... we have elk and deer and bear and wolves and turkey and quail and grouse all open at the same time in every over the counter elk tag here, and plenty of opportunity if you get off the road. Good luck on choosing.
Matt
So we were leaning heavily towards Montana for the fact of less pressure and being able to hunt multiple species, but now you guys are making me wonder if we should be looking harder at Colorado. Are Muleys somewhat plentiful in SW Montana? We figured if we went with deer elk and wolf tags our chance of being successful would be higher. I want to do a bow hunt while the other guys are hesitant. I’m hoping that if we go while they are bugling we can increase our chances of encounters.