Because of this, you’ll want to do deep research about which states to apply with and which season and unit to focus on. Once you start putting in with a state, you’ll want to continue entering the lottery until you draw so that you finally cash in on your investment. It’s also important to understand that you’ll likely have to wait years before drawing. It’s important to remember the easier the tag was to draw, the more hunting pressure there will be, so plan accordingly. Social media has its downfalls, but it’s excellent for networking. Most hunters will share intel on these units because they know they won’t be hunting it again anytime soon. Be sure to network with other hunters, primarily if you draw a premium unit that took ten years or more. Do the research, find out what class of bulls the unit is known for, and set your sights on a good one. You should have different goals and expectations when you pull a limited entry or lottery tag. You can hunt OTC in some states and still put in for the annual limited drawing, and I encourage this practice and the building of preference points each year. The quality of the animals in the unit often dictates how difficult the tag is to draw. Some took two years to draw, and one took ten. I had limited entry tags in my pocket for the five years I didn’t hunt OTC. Long-term investment that can become expensive.States vary in how they run their limited entry hunts, so this route requires lots of good research. Each year you don’t get picked helps you build preference points, which increase your chances of getting picked next season. This type of application is essentially putting your name in the hat and hoping it gets picked. Limited Entry and Lottery Tags Executive editor Natalie Krebs after a successful limited-entry elk hunt. I prefer diving into deep holes close to access roads that most hunters pass by. Unless I know the area well, I camp close to my truck each night and stay ultra mobile. OTC Elk Hunting Tipĭon’t overlook areas close to access roads. Those willing to wander (and with horses) can still find pockets of public-land elk nirvana, but it’s getting harder and harder to come by. When hunting elk in an OTC area, I shoot the first legal bull that gives me an opportunity. OTC tags with caps sell out quickly, so know your dates and make a plan.Įxpect heavy hunt pressure, even far off the beaten path, and set realistic goals. Some western states have OTC tags with caps, which means tags go on sale on a particular day dictated by the state’s wildlife commission, and then they are gone. It’s essential to stay on top of each state’s OTC language, as it varies. Most OTC tags are archery tags, but Colorado still offers resident and non-resident rifle tags for some seasons. You buy an elk tag at Walmart, show up to an area, hope the trailhead isn’t too crowded, and get after it. This type of elk hunting is hard to beat. I have been hunting elk for 25 years, and in all but five of those years, I’ve gone the OTC public land DIY route.
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