8 Of The Best Elk Hunting States In The U.S.: Which One Will You Go To This Year?

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Best Elk Hunting States in the United States

Elk are probably the most coveted game animal in the U.S. People like myself travel thousands of miles across the country and spend hundreds of dollars just to get a chance at a tag to hunt one of these 700-pound beasts. If you are willing to put up the cash and time, you want to be reasonably sure of a kill.

There are several species of elk in the U.S., mostly in the western states near the Rocky Mountains. There are a few eastern states with blooming elk populations, according to RealTree, a leading retailer in camouflage hunting gear. In all, there are about 20 states where elk can be hunted but not all of them will offer you the same elk hunting opportunities.

Over the years, we’ve gone on to hunt elk in most parts of the country. In order to gauge each state and find the best one, these are the criteria we used:

  • Availability of tags
  • Elk Population
  • Access to hunting areas
  • Cost
  • Trophy elk taken

Using those metrics, here is what we found:

Top 8 States To Hunt Elk

1. Colorado – Best State Overall

Wild bighorn sheep in the rocky mountain national park colorado

Colorado makes the number one spot of best states to hunt elk for taking high marks in almost all of our metrics. Colorado is a personal favorite, as I’ve always hunted some big game over there. If you want to ensure you have the opportunity and availability to get an elk, head to the Centennial State. You won’t get a better chance anywhere else during elk hunting season.

At a population of over 280,000 elks, according to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the state has the largest concentration of elk in the world. That population leads to more OTC permits issued and more units to hunt. Where most states will issue several hundred elk permits, Colorado issues thousands.

All of the zones where you can draw an elk tag are easy to access and hunt with plenty of open spaces for a good shot. I’ve mostly used rifles to hunt elk there, but you can also use bows in most areas. That said, there are also a couple of dozen archery only units in the state.

The total cost for a permit is currently $760.99, according to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, for a non-resident which sits in the middle of the pack for cost. You can expect to pay more getting there but the hunt is well worth it with a strong chance of success.

Colorado may not take top marks when it comes to trophy elk hunting but they have a number of bulls that average over 300 inches. These big bulls may not land you with a record kill but they should be plenty to satisfy most elk hunters. Those 350-inch bulls are rarer in Colorado but a number of hunters bag them every year.

2. Wyoming – Best Chance at a Tag

A clear peaceful reflection of a mountain on a river in Wyoming

While Wyoming may not have the largest elk population, it has a lot of opportunities that elevates it to the number two spot. I recently went hunting in the low passes of the Rocky Mountains, which is one of the most amazing elk herd hunting places in the world. Any elk hunt here will be the hunt of a lifetime.

According to Wyoming Public Media, the state’s public radio network, Wyoming has an elk population of around 117,000. This means that it comes in at the mid-range in sheer numbers of elk. Most of these stretch into the Rockies but a few units have plentiful elk in the low country if hunting in the higher elevations isn’t your thing.

Wyoming no longer has OTC tags for non-residents but most units have a 100% draw so your chances of landing an elk tag are pretty good. When I visited Wyoming to hunt elk, the tag cost was $577.00, but, nowadays, it’s $692.00, according to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. You can also add on an Archery tag for $30.00 and if you don’t get one with the bow, carry right over into rifle season.

Wyoming is becoming well known for elk that exceed 350 inches with a number of them taken every year. Most of them are in the lower reaches of the mountains. Even if you can’t bag one of those, Wyoming is one of the best states to hunt elk with huge herds.

Getting to most of the elk is fairly easy but if you want those up in the mountains, you are going to have to work for it. The tags for units in the backcountry go at a slower rate so you could get stuck if you dally around. The best units will fill up first.

3. Montana – Best Success Rate

Mountainous areas in Montana makes it a great place for elk hunting

Montana combines two factors that make it a great elk hunting state. Well, that’s if you disregard the outstanding scenery, which is as great as Wyoming’s in my opinion. For many hunters, this may be the absolute best shot at an elk and a good shot at a trophy elk.

The fist of those factors is that Montana has been mostly disregarded by elk hunters. Any of the more southern states get a higher mount. This means that most units will have a 100% draw even if they don’t do OTC tags for non-residents.

The second factor is the price of a tag which comes in at $1018.00 for a non-resident, according to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.This is the most expensive state for hunting elk. I know this sounds counterintuitive, and I initially thought the same before venturing into Montana. But these high prices keep a lot of elk hunters away and when neighboring states sell out their tag limits in the best units, Montana will still have plenty of room.

As far as population goes, Montana has the second largest with over 140,000 elk at last count, according to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. These are spread over a wide range but there are high concentrations around the Rockies on the Wyoming border. Landing one of these units gives you a good shot at a kill.

Most units average really high success rates in the range of 20 to 40% with archery equipment alone. Those numbers only go up with a rifle. The concentration of trophies is on par with Colorado and Wyoming but the larger land area they have to roam does make them a rarer take.

The units in Montana range from easy access to full-on backcountry. The experience in those more isolated units is amazing but can be more difficult to hunt elk. It’s all a matter of what you prefer but for a first hunt, the lower elevations in the southwestern corner are your best bet.

4. Idaho – Best Value

Gushing river in Idaho wherein the nearest forest holds a growing popularity for elk hunting

The one state that is the fastest growing in popularity for elk hunting, Idaho offers a good experience with ample elk hunting opportunities. When I first visited Idaho to hunt elk, wildfires and wolves had decimated the population of elk. But they have made a strong comeback. At the halfway point of this list, Idaho is still a solid bet.

Populations of elk are over 120,000, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. They lie in the upper middle of populations across the nation and boast some large roaming herds. You are welcome to use a bow, muzzleloader, or, my personal favorite, rifle.

Cost is among the lowest at $651.75 for a tag, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. This is almost a steal with some of the prices you see going on tags. Non-residents are able to buy their tags OTC for the time being but that is likely to change soon with it becoming a more popular destination.

Trophy-wise, Idaho constantly pops up 350” bulls every year. Βut the chances of bagging any elk tends to be lower in Idaho than its northern neighbors. For example, when I went to Montana to hunt elk, I secured a couple of good kills in no time, albeit far from trophy bulls. In Idaho, it took me much more time to do the same.

With everything for Idaho so far, the only reason it ranks this low is the difficulty to hunt elk. The zones that are maintained for elk hunting are more remote and harder to access. The few that are easy sell out fast. You will have to work to get an elk in Idaho.

5. Arizona – Best State for Trophies

Reflection of the mountain on a river in Arizona

The farthest southern state for elk hunting has been a long time favorite for most hunters but it is far from ideal. For all the good elk hunting this state offers, it has a few bad metrics that kill its ranking on this list.

Namely is the difficulty of getting a tag. The few units that offer OTC tags are places they want to rid of elk due to interference with local farmers. When I decided to hunt elk on one of these units, they were far from ideal, and I had to really work hard to even get a kill. If you want one of the better areas, especially if you want to rifle hunt, you are going to have to wait it out.

Even if you get a draw for a tag, the cost for out of state hunters is $665.00, according to eRegulations, a leading source for hunting rules and regulations. This makes them one of the most affordable states to hunt elk. This seems like it’s hardly worth it but units in Arizona fill incredibly fast. It may be the most popular destination in the country.

There is one reason for this:  Trophy bulls!  Arizona puts them out more often than any other state and your success rate on opportunity hunts is far better than most states. Much of this has to do with the population density.

They may only have a total population of around 35,000 elk, according to the Arizona Game & Fish Department, but they are packed into smaller areas. And, even though I found elk hunting Arizona to be somewhat difficult, most of those areas are fairly easy to access. You just have to manage to get a tag.

6. Oregon – Best for Roosevelt Elk

Overlooking the forest in Oregon which is the best area to hunt for Roosevelt Elk

With two different elk species, Oregon stands in a league all its own. No other state on this list offers the opportunity to hunt Roosevelt elk. They still have the larger Rocky Mountain variety as well and you can take either with a single tag.

Populations are somewhere between 130,000 and 140,000 split between the two species, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Oregon has a lot of elk with potentially one of the largest elk herd in the U.S. The bull to calf ration is even higher than most states.

Not all is good with Oregon though. When I visited the state to hunt elk, I was surprised to find that the cost of a non-resident tag is $735.00. This was among the highest in the whole country. It has since changed, as the same tag nowadays costs $588.00, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. This makes it one of the most affordable elk hunting opportunities in the country.

The main thing that kills people’s enthusiasm is the difficulty of elk hunting in Oregon. All of the good units sell out very fast and even though they are OTC, your chances of getting one is slim. It can be easier to get a harder unit tag but you have to decide to try to wait out a good unit or hunt elk on a hard unit. All the while, other easier elk hunting states are available.

This said the hunting in Oregon is stunning. With dense forest and high peaks, you get a lot of variety and scenery. There is no other place like it to hunt elk. They also manage to put out a larger number of trophy bulls per hunter than most states.

7. New Mexico – Best for Large Bulls

Hot sunny dessert in New Mexico one of the best areas to hunt elks

This is hardly the state that most people think about when considering an elk hunt. When I was in Arizona, I didn’t consider taking the trip to New Mexico for elk hunting at first. The populations are all in the high country and tend to be rather sparse. It may not be ideal for the discerning hunter. But, on second thought, I have to say that New Mexico has some strong points.

With an approximate population of 104,000 elk, according to the official magazine of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the state is rising through the ranks. Unlike Arizona, New Mexico elk tend to be more spread out. This can make hunting very frustrating, especially if you paid a huge price for the chance.

On top of that frustration, getting access to a good unit is almost impossible. You can get a sub-par unit for $548.00 as a non-resident but a good unit will cost you $773.00, according to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Of course, you can shell out the thousands needed to get your hands on a landowner tag if you want a guaranteed chance.

But that is just a chance. Many hunters have failed to fill their tags in New Mexico. But that brings us to why it’s in the top 8 states. If you do manage to get a bull, its likely to be a big one!  With the milder climate and year-round forage, these bulls get massive.

With all this trouble, New Mexico tends to be a fairly accessible area to hunt elk. Even the less desirable zones are not hard to access and do provide great scenery. One can only hope that a part of that scenery will be a large bull elk. But that’s a chance you take.

8. Pennsylvania – Best Eastern State

Clear waterfalls in Pennsylvania where plenty of good elks to hunt

While there are still good western states, it’s past time we give a nod to the eastern states and their growing elk populations. One may not think that hunting elk in the east is up to par with the west but there are plenty of good elk on that side of the Mississippi if you get lucky.

Why do you have to get lucky? Because Pennsylvania only has a few thousand elk and they are closely regulated. This means very few tags for out of state elk hunters. I was fortunate enough to draw a tag and, when it comes to elk hunting, the state is amazing.

The cost of a tag should you get drawn in Pennsylvania is only $250.00 for a non-resident, according to Huntin’ Fool, a well-known magazine for non-resident hunters interested in trophy hunting. This is very low, and I’d say that it’s almost worth a shot applying just to see if you do get a lucky break. You can only be selected once in a 5-year period though.

For an eastern state, Pennsylvania does seem to be good at producing large bulls. Not may exceed 350 inches yet but a number are sitting right on that line. If you get an antlered tag, your chances at a big bull are better than most states.

Elk hunting in the eastern woodlands is a little harder than hunting out west. For Pennsylvania, some of that money you saved on the tag would be well spent on a knowledgeable guide. I got a unit in deep, dense forests, where it’s really hard to hunt, but definitely beautiful. If you get a good unit with fields, that may be a different matter.

FAQs

Which state has the best elk hunting?

Colorado is the state that has the best elk hunting since it is home to the largest elk herd in the USA (counting more than 280,000 animals). It also offers hunters over-the-counter tags, giving them great chances of success. Montana is right behind with an incredible hunter success rate.

Which states have the most elk?

The states that have the most elk are Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming. Colorado is a clear winner since it boasts somewhere between 280,000 and 300,000 animals. The four remaining states on this Top 5 list have about 100,000 to 150,000 animals each.

Which state has the biggest elk?

Utah has the biggest elk. According to the Boone & Crockett Club, this state holds the record for the largest elk killed in the wild. This elk’s antler measured 478-5⁄8 inches. Besides, Utah is in the top three states for the number of record typical and non-typical bulls taken since 2010.

What is the cheapest state to elk hunt?

The cheapest state to elk hunt is Washington state. The non-resident elk permit costs just under $500 – it is the cheapest you can find. Even though there is only half the acreage open for hunting than there is in Colorado, there are also 75% fewer elk hunters.

What states allow non-residents to hunt elk?

States that allow non-residents to hunt elk are Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. In Colorado, these tags are called OTC (over-the-counter), while the remaining four states call them General season elk tags for non-resident hunters. Limited tags are available for non-residents through a lottery-style drawing in most states too.

What state has the cheapest non-resident elk tag?

Washington state has the cheapest non-resident elk tag that costs just under $500. Wyoming is also a budget-friendly option for elk hunting. The non-resident bull elk tag in Wyoming costs little over $600, while numerous hunting units offer a 100% drawing success rate.

What state has OTC elk tags?

Colorado has OTC elk tags. These tags can be bought over the counter as long as they are not sold out at the moment you wish to make a purchase. Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Washington offer General Season tags, which are the same as OTC tags in Colorado.

How much is a non-resident elk tag in Wyoming?

A non-resident elk tag in Wyoming is $692.00. If you are applying for a license through drawing, you must pay a non-resident application fee that costs $15.00. Non-resident land owners pay the same price, while non-resident youth elk tag costs $275.00 plus the application fee.

Where does Joe Rogan hunt elk?

Joe Rogan hunts elk across the United States, but most often in Utah. He supports the philosophy that you should “eat what you kill” and often shares his hunting adventures with other experts such as Steven Rinella, Cameron Hanes, or Doug Duren.

Conclusion

So, there are our 8 of the best elk hunting states. Of course, there are several other states which I’ve visited for elk hunting that are worth noting. Utah usually has a decent elk herd for you and Kentucky is growing yearly. The best tactic is to apply for great spots in several states until you get one. You can always opt for OTC units and states until you do.

Hunting elk for most people is the hunt of a lifetime and many only get one shot at it. Hopefully, this list provides all the information needed to make the best of that shot.

Colorado will always be a strong bet when elk hunting season rolls around. As will Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Just don’t neglect the other states on this list if they provide you the hunt you want. Be that opportunity hunts or a trophy hunt, there are states that will give you these elk hunting opportunities.

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Sammy Garrard

I am the Founder and Chief Editor of outdoorsity.net and a prepper with over 15 years of experience. I’m excited to my knowledge and the things I learn while travelling in British Columbia, Canada where I live and around the world. Feel free to follow me on Twitter, Facebook!

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