1st elk hunt, idaho or colorado otc?

[Trott2478]

Idaho falls during the rut and I can deer hunt also I believe, colorado would be second rifle. Which do I have a better chance seeing elk and possibly harvesting one

[Trott2478]

Is idaho more dark timber or can you still find a lot of places to get above elk and spot them moving?

[ElkNut1]

The one you put the most research in is the one that will be best! Both states offer a variety of terrain features. Some areas heavily timbered & some with open to semi open spaces. Search out units that play to your strengths. If glassing is a strength stay with it mostly with an occasional bugle, if vice versa go accordingly. Glassing is huge during ones rifle hunt. You will be surprised even in the thicker timbered country how much your glass will still be used. Get away from the trail systems for the most part, these are where hunters & campers congregate. Do your homework & have areas marked on your topo maps that you should now be researching so you can locate them once there. I like areas that have no obvious access starting point. These are spots no one thinks of parking at & starting their hunt. The rougher at the start the better in many cases. Have a plan & then several backup spots in case some fall through that aren't noticed from the convenience of your home while studying maps.

ElkNut1

[Charina]

Is idaho more dark timber or can you still find a lot of places to get above elk and spot them moving?

Have you looked at Google Earth satellite images? Looks pretty good for potential spots for glassing from what I see. Mts in the area look to have a nice mix of N. facing thick bedding/security timber, aspen stands, and open sagebrush slopes.

My $0.02 is that for a first hunt, you will likely learn more about where and how to find elk if they are vocal, and you can zero in on that. Then again . . . I've never been a big on glassing - primarily use it when taking a break from actively hunting. Where I find the vast majority of elk I hunt, they couldn't be spotted from any vantage point anyway. So I found keying in on the love-stupid bull's vocalizations (even with my bad hearing) to be very helpful in learning where I should be actively hunting, and where I shouldn't be spending as much time.

[Trott2478]

Thanks for the replies, the earlier gun season during the rut in idaho I figured would be adventages but I really don't know much, hoping to learn all that I can and atleast be able to see some elk in a weeks hunt .

[Indian Summer]

These are spots no one thinks of parking at & starting their hunt. The rougher at the start the better in many cases. ElkNut1

Those are some darn good words of wisdom right there.