Best States for Elk Hunting: Tags, Draws & Opportunities

Choosing the best state for elk hunting isn't about finding one universal answer—it depends on your points, budget, weapon, available time, and hunting goals. Rather than chasing a generic ranking, you need to compare tag availability, draw systems, public access, hunt structure, and the actual hunting experience across states to find opportunities that fit your situation.

Compare Five Factors Before Choosing a State

When evaluating elk hunting states, don't rely on oversimplified rankings. Compare tag availability (can you realistically get a license?), draw systems (preference points, bonus points, random, or a combination), public land access in the specific hunt area, hunt structure (general, OTC, limited, controlled, or private-land), and the hunt experience itself—terrain, elevation, hunting pressure, season timing, physical difficulty, and travel. The best opportunity on paper isn't necessarily the best hunt for you.

Colorado Elk Hunting

Colorado remains a major elk destination, but it's no longer simply an OTC state—especially for nonresident archery hunters. Nonresidents can purchase certain OTC rifle elk licenses, but nonresident archery opportunity west of Interstate 25 and GMU 140 moved into limited-license hunt codes. Some nonresident OTC archery opportunities remain east of I-25. Colorado uses preference points for applicable limited elk licenses in the primary draw. The state is scheduled to make substantial changes to its draw system beginning in 2028, including a new split-draw structure, so historical draw results won't predict future draw rules.

Colorado can make sense for hunters interested in limited elk applications, certain OTC rifle or archery opportunities, public-land hunting, building preference points, or comparing multiple seasons and hunt codes. Don't assume every Colorado elk opportunity is OTC or that a particular hunt takes a fixed number of points every year.

Montana Elk Hunting

For most nonresidents, the first major hurdle is obtaining a Big Game Combination License or Elk Combination License through Montana's drawing process. General elk doesn't mean unlimited OTC nonresident elk tags—most nonresidents must first obtain the appropriate Combination License through the drawing. Once properly licensed, hunters can pursue applicable general elk opportunities according to Montana's regulations.

Montana uses two different point systems that shouldn't be confused. Preference points affect the nonresident Combination License drawing, with 75% of nonresident Combination Licenses awarded according to preference-point priority and 25% distributed through a random drawing among applicants with zero preference points. Bonus points apply to applicable limited elk permits, and Montana squares bonus points before calculating drawing entries. Montana can fit hunters interested in general elk hunting after obtaining the appropriate license, limited permits, public-land hunting, Combination License strategy, or building bonus points toward limited permits.

Idaho Elk Hunting

Idaho doesn't use preference or bonus points for elk. Your previous unsuccessful applications don't build drawing priority—every year is a new drawing. Beginning with the 2026 licensing cycle, Idaho changed how nonresident general deer and elk tags are allocated, moving from a first-come sales model to an application and random-draw process. Articles describing Idaho simply as "buy an OTC elk tag and go hunting" are outdated for nonresident general elk applicants.

Idaho also offers controlled elk hunts separate from the nonresident general-tag drawing. Because Idaho doesn't use elk preference points, every year is a new drawing. Idaho also maintains an allocation of nonresident deer and elk tags for outfitted hunters, separate from general nonresident draw tags, controlled hunt permits, and landowner vouchers in other states. Idaho can be particularly interesting for hunters who don't want to build points, want general-season or controlled-hunt opportunities, are comfortable with rugged terrain, are considering outfitted hunts, or want another random-draw state in a multi-state strategy.

Wyoming Elk Hunting

Wyoming provides both general elk licenses and Limited Quota licenses, but nonresident hunters should understand that Wyoming General Elk licenses aren't OTC—nonresidents apply for them through the drawing. Wyoming uses preference points for nonresident full-price elk applicants (residents don't use elk preference points), distributing at least 75% through the preference-point portion with up to 25% available through the random portion. That means even a hunter with zero points can potentially draw through the random portion where licenses are available.

Nonresidents also encounter Regular and Special draw options. The Special application has a higher license cost, but higher price does not automatically mean better draw odds—applicant behavior changes from year to year. Another major consideration is federally designated wilderness: a nonresident big-game hunter in Wyoming generally can't hunt within federally designated wilderness unless accompanied by a licensed professional guide or a qualifying Wyoming resident guide. Wyoming can fit hunters interested in building nonresident preference points, general elk licenses, Limited Quota hunts, random-draw opportunities, or public-land hunting.

New Mexico Elk Hunting

New Mexico doesn't use preference or bonus points for its public elk drawing—every application enters a new drawing with no accumulated point advantage from previous unsuccessful applications. New Mexico currently allocates public-draw licenses approximately 84% to New Mexico residents, 10% to applicants using qualifying New Mexico outfitters, and 6% to nonresidents not using the qualifying outfitter pool. The 10% outfitter pool is still a drawing; hiring an outfitter doesn't guarantee a public-draw elk license.

Because there is no preference-point system, a first-time applicant isn't automatically behind somebody who has applied unsuccessfully for 15 years, but highly demanded hunts can still have very low draw probabilities. New Mexico also operates the Elk Private Lands Use System (EPLUS), which is separate from the standard public elk drawing. New Mexico can fit hunters who don't want to build points, want another random opportunity each year, are considering guided hunts, are exploring private-land options, or want archery or rifle possibilities.

Arizona Elk Hunting

Arizona uses a bonus-point system for applicable big-game drawings. Points improve an applicant's position, but hunt demand varies dramatically. Historical odds should be evaluated according to residency, hunt number, weapon, season, and point level rather than using one statewide point requirement. Some Arizona elk opportunities are extremely difficult to draw, while others may provide different odds depending on weapon, season, hunt structure, and location. Arizona can fit hunters interested in building bonus points, archery elk, limited rifle opportunities, long-term application strategies, or adding another state to a multi-state portfolio.

Nevada Elk Hunting

Nevada uses a bonus-point system where points increase the applicant's opportunities in the drawing. Nevada manages elk across multiple hunt areas and seasons, with opportunities that can include archery, muzzleloader, rifle, and antlerless hunts depending on current regulations. Because quotas can be small, draw probabilities can change significantly from year to year. Nevada can fit hunters interested in long-term bonus-point strategies, limited elk opportunities, archery, muzzleloader or rifle hunts, or adding another limited-entry state to a multi-state application plan.

Oregon Elk Hunting

Oregon offers both general-season and controlled elk opportunities. Oregon uses preference points for controlled elk hunts—hunters who don't draw their first-choice controlled elk hunt generally receive a preference point for that hunt series. Oregon also allows hunters to use a Point Saver to gain a preference point without applying for another hunt choice in that series. Most available controlled tags are distributed based on preference-point priority, while a portion can be available through a random component.

Oregon also maintains general-season elk opportunities, but general doesn't mean that every Oregon elk unit and weapon combination is available without restriction. Western Oregon contains Roosevelt elk, while eastern Oregon contains Rocky Mountain elk, and those hunts can differ substantially in habitat, visibility, hunting tactics, weather, and access. Oregon can fit hunters interested in general elk opportunities, controlled hunts, building preference points, Roosevelt elk, Rocky Mountain elk, or archery and rifle opportunities.

Washington Elk Hunting

Washington offers general elk seasons, special elk permits, multi-season opportunities, and raffle opportunities. Washington uses a weighted-point drawing system for special hunt permits, where applicants accumulate points within applicable categories that increase future drawing weight—they don't function as a traditional preference system where the highest-point applicant simply draws first. A hunter may purchase the applicable elk license and participate in general seasons according to current regulations, while special hunt permits provide additional or different opportunities through a drawing. Washington can fit hunters interested in general elk hunting, special permit opportunities, weighted-point applications, multi-season tags, Rocky Mountain elk, or Roosevelt elk.

Elk Draw Systems Compared

Different states use fundamentally different systems. Colorado uses preference points, Montana uses preference points for the nonresident Combination License plus bonus points for limited permits, Idaho has no elk points, Wyoming uses nonresident preference points (but general isn't OTC), New Mexico has no points with an 84/10/6 public-draw allocation, Arizona uses bonus points, Nevada uses bonus points, Oregon uses preference points (with controlled and general systems that differ), and Washington uses weighted points for special permits. Nonresident considerations also vary dramatically—Colorado's nonresident western archery is now largely limited, Montana requires the nonresident Combination License generally be drawn, Idaho's nonresident general tags are now allocated by drawing, and Wyoming's general requires a drawing.

Hunt Without Preference Points

Several states don't require spending years building preference points. Idaho and New Mexico have no elk preference or bonus points. Certain OTC opportunities in Colorado don't require preference points. Oregon and Washington have certain general-season opportunities that operate outside their controlled or special-permit point systems. But "no preference points required" doesn't mean "guaranteed tag"—Idaho nonresident general elk tags, for example, now go through a drawing.

Random Draw Opportunities

Randomness exists in several different forms. New Mexico's public elk drawing doesn't use preference points. Idaho controlled hunts and the nonresident general-tag drawing don't use elk points. Wyoming has a random component for applicable nonresident full-price licenses. Oregon reserves a portion of applicable controlled hunt opportunities outside strict preference priority. Arizona, Nevada, and Washington use weighted or bonus systems that retain random elements. The mechanics are different in every state.

Building Elk Points

States to research for accumulating points toward future opportunities include Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. But don't simply collect points because they're available—every point system creates annual costs, different mathematical advantages, different draw rules, and different long-term risks. Build points toward an actual hunt objective.

Don't Confuse Preference Points and Bonus Points

Preference points generally prioritize applicants with more points, while bonus points generally increase an applicant's chances or drawing weight without necessarily guaranteeing priority. The exact mathematics vary by state. Colorado preference points are not the same as Montana bonus points, which aren't the same as Nevada bonus points, which aren't the same as Washington weighted points. Never compare point totals across states as though they're equivalent.

General Elk Tag Does Not Mean OTC

A general license describes the type of hunting opportunity, while an OTC license describes how the license can be obtained. Wyoming General Elk License is obtained through a drawing for nonresidents. Montana general elk opportunity typically requires a nonresident to first obtain the applicable Combination License. General does not automatically mean walk into a store and buy the tag.

Limited Entry Doesn't Automatically Mean Better Elk

A limited elk hunt may offer lower hunter density, different season dates, controlled harvest, or different access, but "limited = bigger bulls" isn't a universal rule. Likewise, "OTC = bad hunting" isn't accurate. Elk hunting quality depends on herd, habitat, access, hunting pressure, weather, season, and hunter effort. Evaluate the actual hunt.

Hunt-Now vs Build-Points Strategy

One practical approach is dividing your application plan into three categories: Hunt Now (opportunities you could realistically hunt in the near term), Build Toward (point-based hunts you're intentionally working toward), and Long Shot (random or bonus-draw opportunities you'd be excited to draw but aren't relying on). This creates a diversified application strategy without requiring every state to serve the same purpose.

Example Multi-State Elk Strategy

A hunter might build a portfolio such as Hunt Now (general or accessible opportunities), Build Toward (preference-point state), Random Opportunity (Idaho or New Mexico), and Long Shot (highly demanded bonus-point hunt). The specific states depend on residency, budget, existing points, available time, and hunting goals. There isn't one universal application portfolio.

Historical Draw Odds Are Not Guarantees

Historical odds answer what happened in previous drawings, not what will happen this year. Odds can change because of applicant growth, quota changes, regulation changes, point creep, residency allocations, new hunt codes, or season changes. Use historical data as a planning tool, not a promise. Draw odds and harvest success are completely different metrics—draw odds measure how difficult it was historically to obtain the license, while harvest success measures how often participating hunters reported harvesting an animal. A hunt can be easy to draw and difficult to hunt, or difficult to draw and still difficult to hunt.

Research an Elk Hunt Correctly

Instead of searching "best elk unit in Wyoming," research state, residency, area/unit, hunt code, season, weapon, point total, quota, and access. That produces a much more useful picture. A unit can contain substantial public acreage and still be difficult to hunt—consider road access, wilderness, private-land barriers, checkerboard ownership, trailheads, elevation, terrain, and seasonal closures. The percentage of public land is only the beginning.

Physical Difficulty Matters

Elk hunting can involve significant elevation, steep terrain, long approaches, heavy pack-outs, and rapid weather changes, but not every elk hunt occurs at 10,000 feet or requires backpacking miles into wilderness. Evaluate the specific hunt—a physically demanding backcountry hunt might be ideal for one hunter and a poor fit for another. Before hunting, know how you'll recover an elk by planning for game bags, cooling, distance, terrain, number of trips, horses or packers, vehicle access, and processor location.

Scouting an Elk Unit

Once you have a tag, focus e-scouting on access, water, security cover, feeding areas, bedding habitat, elevation transitions, burns, timber edges, road density, and hunting pressure. But don't assume an elk herd will remain in one location all season—weather and hunting pressure can change elk distribution quickly.

Using TAGZ to Compare Elk States

TAGZ helps hunters compare Western hunting opportunities using historical draw information and unit-level research. Instead of asking only "What's the best elk state?", hunters can evaluate opportunities according to state, residency, point total, weapon, season, license type, historical draw information, and unit characteristics. That can help identify opportunities that fit the hunter rather than simply chasing the most famous units.

TAGZ was started by hunters, guides, and outfitters with firsthand Western hunting experience, including guiding and outfitting roots in Idaho. One lesson that becomes obvious when researching Western elk is that every state speaks a slightly different language—a general tag in one state isn't necessarily obtained the same way as a general tag somewhere else, a bonus point doesn't work like every other state's bonus point, and zero points doesn't necessarily mean you can simply purchase a tag. Understanding those differences is a major part of building a realistic hunt plan. For current regulations, always verify the exact hunt through the applicable state wildlife agency, as tag availability, quotas, draw systems, point rules, season dates, and regulations change.

For more elk strategies, see Colorado elk application strategy, best Roosevelt elk states, and Pennsylvania elk hunting guide.

FAQ — Best Elk Hunting States

Which state has the most elk hunting opportunity? That depends on how opportunity is defined—hunters should compare tag availability, draw difficulty, general seasons, public access, and residency rather than relying on one statewide ranking.

Which state is easiest to draw elk? There isn't one universally easiest state; draw difficulty varies by exact hunt, residency, weapon, season, and applicant demand.

Which states don't use elk points? Idaho and New Mexico don't use preference or bonus points for their primary elk draw systems.

Can you hunt elk every year without building points? Potentially—general, OTC, and random-draw opportunities can make annual elk hunting possible, depending on state, residency, tag availability, and budget.

Is Colorado still a good state for nonresident elk hunters? Colorado continues to offer nonresident elk opportunities, but the structure has changed; in particular, broad nonresident OTC archery opportunity west of I-25 is no longer available.

Is Montana worth applying for as a nonresident? Montana provides nonresident general and limited elk opportunities, but hunters need to understand the Combination License drawing, preference points, and separate bonus-point permit system before applying.