Idaho or wyoming

[Panzer]

I guess for me looking at CDA on the map, that town is surrounded by lakes with good fishing and alot of public hunting land. I don't want to jump to conclusions but I think that alot of people who live and hunt out west really have no idea what it's like to hunt in a crowded public hunting area. I grew up in Ohio so I know what it's like to hunt crowded. I would have NO problem sharing the vast amounts of public hunting land in Idaho with others.

[woodworker]

I choose Wyoming for all the reasons that I believe you are thinking about, with some bonuses; 300 sunny days a year, reasonable hunting etc.  Things I did not think of WIND, dry enough to use cotton wood as fire wood, did I mention the wind.  There is a housing problem but in a state of 540,000 there is bound to be not much turnover around and much of the economy (and thusly jobs) is energy based and fluctuates depending on the market but there is also tremendous variety in Wyoming.  Not sure what employment opportunities you are thinking of but with the small population there are many jobs available. The state has many small beautiful cities such as Lander and Buffalo that would be a joy to live in, well enough said Wyoming is my pick, Joe

[elkbreath]

hmmmm...

[MD]

A lot of super rich retirees moved into Wyoming for tax benefits starting in Jackson area forcing mere millionaires into area's like Sheridan to buy up land there.  One ranch in the area which sold for several million "polo ranch" in bighorn the new owner tore down all existing buildings to rebuild to match a photo of ranch taken in early  1900's

[Bowwild]

I've hunted the Bighorns between Lovell and Sheridan. I'd go to Sheridan. You don't need to own land in WY -- so much public land and if you get off the road a bit it is hardly touched.

I love Cody even more but maybe a bit touristy? I've been to Jackson a couple of times, feels like California.

Only folks I've seen in the backcountry on my 6 DIY hunts there (mostly Mulies) have been guides and their horsebacked dudes intent on driving all the elk out.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I don't think I'd pick either of them myself if i had a choice. i think I'd drop down into Colorado south of Denver on the east side of the divide. maybe the Co Springs area.

[Jerry Bellmyer]

Idaho....Idaho....Idaho   and the main reason is HOUSING....It is almost impossible to find housing in some of the nice towns in Wyoming. I have done alot of research and unless you have huge $$$ housing is not there.  I had a teaching job offered to me in Riverton a few years back and I could not find anything in Lander/Riverton. Sheridan and Cody are difficult as well.  There is affordable housing all over northern Idaho.  The hunting is not as bad as some make it sound...I think it is actually very good.....

[187BOWHUNTER]

Idaho for me but I got family (sherpas) there

[Mike Mecredy]

I live in Idaho, in a town called Rupert,  nearby there is also Burley, Paul, and Heyburn, all within a close radius. The snake river runs right through the whole mess. To The south there's unit 54 and unit 55, both offer over the counter tags for archery, and rifle hunters have to draw a limited number of tags.  Lots of mule deer.

[FeatherFlinger64]

So, have you made a choice? I have a personal interest, since I had the same decision to make two years ago. Though I was considering both bow hunting and fly fishing. I ended up in Idaho, and am very happy with my decision! Good luck!

[will_hunt]

Moved from Alabama to Idaho six years ago for the same reasons you want to come here.  I have seen elk, moose and bighorn sheep diminish greatly in six years. Wolves are just destroying wildlife.  I could not disagree more when someone tells me hunting will make a come back. I saw a big mule deer buck taken this past year--the first I have personally witnessed since coming here. I never considered Wyoming. I narrowed my choices to the Bitter Root Valley of Montana and eastern Idaho. Wish I had it to do over.  One thing IS for sure, if you want to catch giant browns, cutthroats, rainbows on dry flies, this is the place.  If you want a nice home for cheap, welcome.  If you think you are gonna come here and fill your dream tags with great opportunities, think again.

[centaur]

Wolves have taken a toll on the elk in NW Wyoming, but from what I hear and read, not as bad as Idaho. We are getting some wolf activity in the Bighorns, but they seem to prefer domestic sheep; a relatively easy meal for wolves.
I have lived in Wyoming since 1977, and it is a great place, although I am now escaping winter down in Arizona. I don't know what housing costs in your neck of the woods, but with the exception of Jackson and the Cody area, prices aren't terrible, and property taxes aren't bad in comparison to the rest of the country. Casper, Cheyenne and Gillette are where most jobs are. We have jillions of antelope, lots of deer (whitetail and mule), good elk populations, and if you want to put in for them, sheep, moose, and a very few mountain goats. Bear populations are probably better in Idaho. We are loaded with small game, the fishing is world class, and there are only a half million of us. Idaho is beautiful, but I will be staying in Wyoming.