How to Plan Your First Out-of-State Hunt: A Step-by-Step Guide

Planning your first out-of-state hunt can feel overwhelming — but with the right process, it becomes one of the most rewarding experiences in hunting. Whether you're dreaming of chasing elk across a remote mountain range or glassing mule deer in the desert Southwest, this guide breaks down exactly how to approach your first western hunt from start to finish.

Here are four essential steps to planning a successful out-of-state hunt.

Step 1: Choose Your Target Species and Weapon

The foundation of any out-of-state hunt is deciding what you want to hunt and how you want to hunt it. Start with species — think about what animal you've always dreamed of pursuing. Elk? Mule deer? Antelope? Once you have a species in mind, consider your weapon choice, as it can significantly impact your ability to draw a tag.

Pro tip: If you're primarily a rifle hunter, switching to archery or muzzleloader can dramatically improve your draw odds for popular species and units. Many western states offer over-the-counter or easier-to-draw tags for alternative weapon types, making it a smart strategy for first-time out-of-state hunters.

Step 2: Research Hunting Units and Secure Your Tag

Once you know your target species, it's time to find the right unit and understand the tag application process — arguably the most critical step in planning a western hunt.

This is where GOHUNT's Filtering tool tool becomes invaluable. Start by selecting your target state and species, then use the filters to narrow down units based on criteria that matter most to you:

From there, dive into Unit Profiles to get an in-depth look at terrain, historical harvest data, and unit-specific details. This research phase will help you build a shortlist of units worth pursuing before the application deadline.

If you’re unfamiliar with GOHUNT, learn more about our membership below and how that will aid in your research:

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After opening Filtering, select the state and species, then you can adjust our filters to narrow down the units that meet your specific criteria.

You can filter by a plethora of different options, from public land, harvest success, season/weapon, draw odds, and even trophy potential. Now, you’ll have a much smaller chunk of units to research. Keep in mind that you always go back and re-adjust filters to broaden or narrow down your search. If you see units that catch your eye, you can jump into the unit (what we call our Unit Profiles), to read more about each unit. This is a great way to get familiar with the terrain and intricate details of the unit. I really love all the data that is presented in each unit profile. Plus you can read comments from people who have hunted the unit, and have a discussion with them. And see terrain photos people have shared to give you more data to understand what the terrain will be like.

Learn more about how to use this tool by checking out the articles below:

Step 3: E-Scout Your Hunting Area

After narrowing down your units, the next step is e-scouting — using digital mapping tools to identify where animals are likely to be and whether the terrain suits your hunting style.

Using GOHUNT Maps, focus your e-scouting efforts on:

E-scouting before your hunt saves time in the field and helps you arrive with a game plan rather than starting from scratch. Even a few hours behind the screen can dramatically increase your odds of finding animals.

Explore all GOHUNT e-scouting and mapping articles

Step 4: Plan Your Hunt Logistics

The final step is working through the practical details that will make or break your trip. Out-of-state hunting involves a lot of moving parts, and thinking through logistics early prevents costly surprises later.

Travel and access:

Gear and preparation:

Meat care — don't overlook this: Meat care is one of the most important — and often under-planned — aspects of any big game hunt. Before you go, know the answers to these questions:

Proper meat care planning ensures the harvest you worked so hard for doesn't go to waste.

Start Planning Your First Out-of-State Hunt Today

Your first western hunt is one of the most memorable adventures you can take as a hunter. Yes, the planning takes effort upfront — but with a solid process and the right tools, the research phase becomes part of the excitement.

GOHUNT has everything you need to research states, compare units, analyze draw odds, and e-scout your way to a successful first out-of-state hunt.