For many hunters, elk represents the apex of the big game world. They are large, sport-heavy antlers and live in some of North America’s most magnificent wilderness areas. They can lead hunters above the timberline or chase them across lower-elevation hills. However, regardless of where you draw a tag, elk hunting is one of America’s most exciting and accessible big game pastimes.
While elk populations across the country remain constant, elk hunting success percentages on public property in over-the-counter units are low, ranging from 10 to 15%. That number highlights the difficulty of hunting an elk with an OTC tag on public land, whether with a bow, rifle, or muzzleloader.
The good news is that some states, such as Colorado, still provide adequate OTC opportunities. The actual work is determining where you have the most chance of success and transforming your tag into hundreds of pounds of pure protein.
So, where should you start?
The quick answer is right here. We created this elk hunting guide to help you organize your first hunt. We’ll go over the fundamentals of elk habitat, tag allocation, and the many approaches and tactics used by hunters to kill their game.
Here’s everything you need to know before planning your next elk hunt.
Where Should You Hunt Elk?
Before looking into OTC Tags, OTC Tags with Caps, and Limited-Entry Draw Tags, consider the terrain in which you wish to hunt elk.
Be honest with yourself.
In the West, where elk hunting is most popular, hunters can pursue elk from as low as 4,000 feet to above the timberline. You must select what kind of experience you desire. Do you desire a lowland hunt in milder terrain that is easier on the body and more suited to bringing a harvested animal out swiftly and easily? Or do you seek a high-country experience where bulls live in steep, rocky drainages that most hunters avoid?
The good news is that you may facilitate your elk hunt with the right gear and clothing and plan based on your preferences and physical condition. You can also go the guided way, hiring an outfitter to take you on private or public territory.
Where do elks live?
The Rocky Mountain West contains the majority of the world’s elk population. While Colorado has the world’s largest elk population, with a little under 300,000, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico also have significant elk populations. The most popular elk hunting environment is steep, mountainous mountain terrain with thick, black wood and sparse, pine-dotted mountainsides interspersed with aspen.
However, elk flourish in lower-elevation environments, particularly in the West, where prairie grasses provide year-round nourishment and dense patches of cedar and pinion provide adequate protection. Elk populations in eastern states such as Kentucky and Pennsylvania are beginning to grow as a result of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and numerous state wildlife and fish agencies’ hard efforts. Elk can be found in Nebraska, the Dakotas, and a number of other states.
Participate in the Elk Draws
Elk tags that may be purchased over the counter are disappearing. Colorado continues to issue them for specified units for archery hunts and second and third rifle seasons, but most states that previously supplied OTC tags have shifted to OTC with caps. This means that only a set number of tags are assigned to specified places.
Take Idaho, for example. Previously, non-resident hunters may obtain one or more OTC tags for different units even after the season begins. The state now regulates the number of licenses for each hunt unit and sells those tags on a set date each year.
Most western states and others with huntable elk populations hold an annual big-game draw. Some states use preference points, which implies that the more years you contribute to the state’s draw, the better your chances of winning a coveted restricted draw tag.
Hunting Strategies
1. Rifle Elk Hunting
Rifle elk hunting enables longer distances and later seasons. Here are the benefits and drawbacks, as well as an outline of pursuing elk with a long gun.
Pros
Extended range
Snow forcing elk down and concentrating them
Multiple hunting tactics getting used
Colder weather reducing meat deterioration and leading to higher harvest percentages
Less chance of wind and thermals disrupting the search
Cons
Increased hunting pressure
Increased rivalry for draw tags
Cold weather and tough circumstances are expected as the season progresses
When hunting elk with a rifle, you spend a significant amount of time behind your optics. Make sure you have high-quality 10- to 12-power binoculars that can be mounted on a tripod and a top-tier spotting scope. Finding elk during rifle season often results in a punched tag if you’ve done pre-hunt research and spent time behind your firearm.
Finding elk during rifle season is determined by season dates and weather. Some remain in herds, while others have passed on their bloodlines and gone solo or rejoined a boy band. At this time, calling might still be an effective hunt technique.
2. Archery Elk Hunting
In my 20-plus years of hunting bulls, I’ve used a stick and string on more than half of my elk hunts. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of archery elk hunting in the West.
Pros
More convenient to draw a tag
OTC opportunities
Rutting elk
Favorable weather
Less hunting pressure
Cons
A clean shot requires you to come really close.
Warm weather might slow activity and make it difficult to get a harvested animal out.
Harvest success rate: less than 10%
Constantly fluctuating breezes and thermals might make completing the deal extremely difficult.
Archery elk hunting is popular right now. However, even in OTC units, the woods are not as densely populated as they are during rifle season. The key to a successful archery elk hunt is time. Allow yourself 10 days for an archery elk hunt, and usually attempt to be in the woods before or after peak rutting when hunting on an OTC or easy-to-draw tag.
Final Thoughts
The most crucial aspect of preparing for an elk hunt is locating regions with a high concentration of elk that have OTC tags and are manageable for your physical condition. Spend a lot of time on state games and fishing websites. Most include elk-hunting planners, drawing information, and public land maps.
It is also worthwhile to explore hunting insider programs, particularly for first-time elk hunters. Such a tool might allow you to select and locate units depending on public land percentage, specific seasons, success rates, and other criteria.