Best mule deer and elk state

colorado has the best elk and deer population and some of the biggest muledeer :thumb

davehaze, here are some numbers that might help you out. I saw your same request in the Mule Deer forum and I am trying to find solid numbers on Mule deer populations. Not a lot of luck thus far though.

YR.....COLORADO..............UTAH
1975 105,000---------------18,000
1980 130,000---------------25,000
1985 175,000---------------40,000
1990 220,000---------------58,000
1995 230,000---------------60,000
2000 295,000---------------62,635

Additionally, here is a breakdown of B&C entries by state:
Arizona- 127
Montana- 108
Wyoming- 66
New Mexico- 52
Utah and Idaho- 41 each
Colorado- 39
Oregon- 24
Washington- 18
Nevada- 14
North Dakota- 6
South Dakota and Kansas- 2
Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and California- 1 each

You'll notice that although Colorado has a larger population, Utah has more record book bulls listed. Population might decide hunting opportunities to an extent, but it does not dictate trophy opportunities.
(Most of us agree though that B&C entry does not necessarily make a trophy either. A trophy is in the eyes of the hunter, not the book).

Remember, tag availability, hunting opportunities, health and fitness of individual populations and/or metapopulations, and many other factors go into deciding which state is "better than the other" regarding hunting opportunities, trophy calibur animals, etc. GOOD LUCK and I'll see what I can find regarding Mule deer numbers.

In the meantime, we have a lot of CO and UT hunters here on MM and they can throw thier individual thoughts on the subject out there for you.

One question though: When you do relocate, do you plan on buying land to hunt or are you asking about the general opportunites/public hunting land access opportunities in each state?

yep. yep. (colorado is still the best for huntn :)) :thumb :)) :thumb )

also it dont matter with triphy. every animal you take is a trophy.

Thanks for all the suggestions and agchawk I was asking about the general hunting opportunities in each state and where would one live close to have access to the most promising areas.