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State comparison · Updated 2026

Colorado vs. Idaho elk hunting.

Colorado's huge herd and over-the-counter access versus Idaho's first-come tags and legendary wilderness. Two very different ways to hunt elk — head to head on tags, terrain, and what kind of hunter each one rewards.

Hunt Colorado at Elk GladeAll elk states ranked

Head to head

Colorado and Idaho, side by side.

DimensionColoradoIdaho
Elk herd~280,000 — largest on Earth~120,000
Nonresident tagsOTC available (archery, 2nd/3rd rifle) + limited entryCapped nonresident tags sold first-come — no draw, but they sell out fast
Point systemPreference points for limited units; OTC needs noneNo point system for general tags — first-come each year
Time to huntCan hunt this year via OTCCan hunt this year IF you grab a tag the moment they release
BackcountryExtensive wilderness + accessible benchesAmong the largest wilderness in the lower 48 (Frank Church, Selway-Bitterroot)
Public land~23M acres~32M+ acres, much of it remote and rugged
TerrainOpen aspen-conifer benches; glass-and-stalkSteep, deep, timbered wilderness; physically demanding
Best forMost hunters — big herd, easy access, this-year tagsFit, self-reliant DIY hunters chasing remote wilderness

The honest verdict

Colorado for opportunity; Idaho for wilderness.

For most hunters, Colorado is the higher-opportunity pick — more than twice the elk, true over-the-counter tags, and country that ranges from demanding wilderness to accessible glass-and-stalk benches. You can plan a Colorado hunt around a calendar instead of a tag lottery.

Idaho is for the hunter who wants the deep end. Its first-come tag system rewards quick action over accumulated points, and its wilderness is among the wildest in the country — but it’s steep, remote, and demands fitness and self-reliance. If a punishing backcountry DIY hunt is the goal, Idaho delivers it.

Want the bigger herd, the easier logistics, and a guided option on limited-entry private land? That’s Colorado — the country Elk Glade hunts on GMU 59.

Frequently asked

Colorado vs Idaho questions.

Is Colorado or Idaho better for elk hunting?

Colorado has more than double Idaho's elk (~280,000 vs ~120,000) and sells true over-the-counter nonresident tags, making it the easier, higher-opportunity choice for most hunters. Idaho's draw is the unusual part — it has no point system for general tags, selling capped nonresident tags first-come, so a hunter who buys the moment they release can hunt this year without a draw gamble. Idaho's draw is the appeal for those who want famous, vast wilderness and are fit enough to hunt it.

How do Idaho nonresident elk tags work?

Idaho caps nonresident elk tags and sells them on a first-come basis (not a points-based draw) for general hunts, with a set number available per zone. Popular zones sell out quickly when tags go on sale, so timing matters more than accumulated points. This is fundamentally different from Colorado's mix of true OTC tags and preference-point limited-entry units.

Does Idaho have a preference point system for elk?

Not for general-season tags — Idaho sells those first-come with no points. Idaho does run controlled-hunt draws for certain premium units that use a random draw (no accumulating preference points like Colorado, Wyoming, or Utah). The lack of point creep is part of Idaho's appeal: every year is a fresh shot rather than a long points wait.

Which state has bigger wilderness for elk hunting?

Idaho. It holds some of the largest designated wilderness in the lower 48, including the Frank Church-River of No Return and the Selway-Bitterroot, plus roughly 32 million acres of public land — much of it remote, steep, and timbered. Colorado has extensive wilderness too, but Idaho is the choice for hunters specifically seeking deep, demanding backcountry.

Is Idaho elk hunting harder than Colorado?

Often, physically. Idaho's elk country skews toward steep, deep, heavily timbered wilderness that demands fitness and self-reliance, while Colorado offers both rugged wilderness and more accessible glass-and-stalk benches. Neither has 'easy' elk hunting, but a hunter who wants a less physically punishing or more guided-friendly option generally finds it more readily in Colorado — which is the country Elk Glade guides.

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All states ranked

Eight elk states compared.

Comparison

Colorado vs Wyoming

Another head-to-head.

Hunt

Colorado outfitter

Guided GMU 59 elk at Elk Glade.