Elk

The best states for elk hunting in 2026 are Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and New Mexico. Colorado contains the largest elk herd and offers over-the-counter bull tags in several units.

Only Wyoming residents can buy over-the-counter (OTC) elk tags. Residents have the option to purchase unlimited general elk licenses OTC starting mid-July, provided they didn’t draw a limited-quota license. Non-residents must enter the lottery draw, as they cannot purchase OTC elk tags.

Over-the-counter (OTC) elk tags are available in Colorado, but eligibility and availability depend on factors such as residency status, weapon type, hunting unit, and season.

To plan your guided elk hunt, start by choosing a reputable outfitter 1-2 years in advance, determining your ideal hunt style (e.g., backcountry horseback vs. private-land lodge), and organizing tags. To start, carefully vet outfitters via references, prepare physically for altitude hunting, and begin e-scouting with tools like HuntWise to survey the landscape.

When e-scouting elk in Wyoming, target high-elevation, north-facing slopes with heavy timber, water sources, and grassy meadows with a focus on the northwest region. Concentrate scouting on burn areas (15 years and younger) and remote roadless areas 1–2 miles from trails to avoid excessive hunting pressure. September scouting should especially focus on bedding near food and water.

Elk hunting requires a specific set of gear designed for weather changes, rugged mountain terrain, and the physical demands of packing out a large animal after a successful hunt. Essential items include appropriate clothing and boots, a reliable weapon system, a robust backpack, and crucial optics and survival equipment.

E scouting for elk in Colorado should focus on public land zones (like national forest service lands) featuring high-elevation aspen and thick, north-facing timber that elk rely on for bedding. Focus efforts especially on areas with limited road access to avoid hunting pressure.

Elk are one of the largest of the deer species. A mature bull may reach heights up to 9 feet tall, including their antlers. Cows and their calves live in herds, while bulls tend to live in bachelor groups or alone.

Elk hunting, for many of us, is a captivating pursuit. The opportunity to track one of North America's most majestic, athletic, and fascinating game animals in some of the wildest and most challenging terrain is an irresistible prospect. 

Nothing compares to the sound of a giant elk coming out through the thick vegetation. The heavy thuds and loud calls build the kind of rush and anticipation that's almost indescribable to non-hunters.

East of the Mississippi River, hunters dream of stalking the wild reaches of the American West. Under the backdrop of a big sky and towering peaks, magnificent bull elk, mule deer, antelope, and moose roam.

Is a trophy bull elk hunt in a prime western state on your hunting bucket list? If you're stuck thinking realistically, accomplishing that could be easier said than done.