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Draw Elk Hunts #6213256 03/07/16 10:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
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LandAgent Offline OP
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I'm 25 and finally at the point where I want to start looking into some draw tags for elk. I've never done one before and just want some input on the process, recommendations for specific states/units, experiences you've had, etc... Its been my dream to go on a elk hunt and I know drawing tags aren't the easiest thing to do, so I want to start putting in for them now at a young age. Any info on any of this will be helpful and just would like to hear what everyone has to say who has gone through the process. Thanks for reading!


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Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6213303 03/07/16 10:58 PM
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why not just go to a unit that has OTC license for a few years to build up points plus lets you go hunting ... best of both worlds while waiting for one of the preferred units with draw only


"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."

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Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: PMK] #6213429 03/08/16 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted By: PMK
why not just go to a unit that has OTC license for a few years to build up points plus lets you go hunting ... best of both worlds while waiting for one of the preferred units with draw only


This^^^

You need to figure out what state you're interested in and read their tag regs. Getting a tag is half the battle if you're going DIY, good place to hunt is another half. In any case, you need to narrow down a state and familiarize yourself with their rules.


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Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6214062 03/08/16 01:54 PM
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There are so many people putting in for the best tags that the odds are very low to get drawn for a premier area. Every state has their best spots, but there are also those areas that are good without the history of producing bulls that score over 400 points. A 350 bull is a great bull in my opinion. If I was going to get back into doing that, I would get contact every state and have them send you the applications for hunting elk. Figure who you can still get it in for before the deadline, and start playing the game.

Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: Western] #6214117 03/08/16 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: Western
Originally Posted By: PMK
why not just go to a unit that has OTC license for a few years to build up points plus lets you go hunting ... best of both worlds while waiting for one of the preferred units with draw only


This^^^

You need to figure out what state you're interested in and read their tag regs. Getting a tag is half the battle if you're going DIY, good place to hunt is another half. In any case, you need to narrow down a state and familiarize yourself with their rules.


Yep, if you have the funds apply everywhere with an elk draw and hunt CO OTC waiting to draw a LE tag.

Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6219463 03/11/16 05:39 PM
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Basically what everyone else is saying. Don't want your first elk hunt to be 10 years from now when you finally draw that once in a lifetime tag. There are OTC tags for 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons in most of the Colorado units. Another thing to do is to try and familiarize yourself with the unit you want to choose as your "dream" elk unit. One way to do that is looking for other species that are easier to draw in that unit. If it's a limited entry elk unit that will take 10 years to draw, but you can hunt mule deer every other year, do that so you know where you are going.

This is my first year putting in for the draws in the states. It gets confusing looking at all of them. You have to float the tag costs in NM, CO, WY, and MT. The rest of the states you only pay an application fee and only pay for the tag used you draw it. You have also missed a few states elk deadlines as well (namely UT and AZ).

I actually drew my first tag already, a non-resident unguided Black Bear tag on Kuiu Island Alaska that I am working on the logistics of right now. Will hopefully be planning that hunt along with muzzleloader mule deer hunts in both UT and NM.


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Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6220027 03/12/16 12:08 AM
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Get'er done while you are closer to 25! Dream hunt of a life time has different meanings. I got to go on the deram hunt last year with a great group of men, OTC, in Colorado.. Couldn't ask for prettier country or better company. Didn't score on an elk and I'd like to go again but still a dream hunt!
If you are willing to travel several states offer draw opportunities as very reasonable prices. Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania to name three.



"It is the same boiling water that softens the rice, which hardens the egg." It's not always about the circumstances, but what you are made of....
Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6224149 03/15/16 03:39 PM
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In Colorado you can put in for the draw and get your money back if you don't get the draw you can choose a refund. On the off chance you do get drawn, that is great, if you don't get drawn, you can apply that same money to an OTC tag. We will be in Unit 70 for second rifle, come on out.


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Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6224153 03/15/16 03:42 PM
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Are you hunting a different unit this year Deep Sea?

Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6224165 03/15/16 03:50 PM
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Oops, we were in 71?


Scott Eastty
AW Scott Construction Company
Bastrop, TX
512-845-0187
For all your metal building needs, state wide.
www.acscott.com
Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6224211 03/15/16 04:32 PM
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Yup, 71. I though you found a spot that had elk and was hoping for the insight roflmao

Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6224213 03/15/16 04:33 PM
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I am trying to put in for the draw for a cow tag, just hard to part with that 500 since work has been slow.


Scott Eastty
AW Scott Construction Company
Bastrop, TX
512-845-0187
For all your metal building needs, state wide.
www.acscott.com
Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6224216 03/15/16 04:39 PM
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Not a bad plan, but wont they reimburse you if you don't get drawn?

Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6224227 03/15/16 04:48 PM
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yes they do, but still hard to let loose of the money up Only worked 3 weeks all year, had more than double that already. It's all good, just cramping my hunting style! hammer


Scott Eastty
AW Scott Construction Company
Bastrop, TX
512-845-0187
For all your metal building needs, state wide.
www.acscott.com
Re: Draw Elk Hunts [Re: LandAgent] #6224231 03/15/16 04:56 PM
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LandAgent,
If there is any chance you will someday want to hunt one of the BIG game animals like big horn sheep for example, you should research for the states and hunts you would do and start applying for preference points on those now. I'm over 50 and it is too late for me to start. I would either be too old, too out of health, or dead before I could do those type of hunts by the time I had enough points to reasonably have a chance to draw a tag. Point creep on a lot of hunts makes them near impossible to draw unless you start when still young. Those type of hunts are way too expensive to do privately for a working man about to retire. I do build points for Elk, Deer, and Antelope in a couple states and will be able to have a decent pick of places to draw when I start cashing them in. But I regret not starting in my 20s collecting points for the more sought after hunts in the country like bighorns and mountain goats. Similar to what others have said, I like the strategy of doing Bow, OTC, Fishing, and smaller game hunts in or near the same Primo areas I have been building points for.

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