In general OTC tags are trash.
No I get it. But if I can buy OTC bull tags, why am I concerned about a draw tag? Better area?
I don't think a draw only area is necessarily any better than one open for a general license. Here we can start hunting in Sept, for any elk, some places bulls only, and go thru Oct, and by that time if you haven't spent enough time elk hunting there are quite a few of those areas that are open for antlerless elk into December, and on occasion into January.
I can see where a draw area in Colorado might be the better deal than buying an OTC and having 4-5 day season, crowded up with orange men.
I don't think a draw only area is necessarily any better than one open for a general license. Here we can start hunting in Sept, for any elk, some places bulls only, and go thru Oct, and by that time if you haven't spent enough time elk hunting there are quite a few of those areas that are open for antlerless elk into December, and on occasion into January.
I can see where a draw area in Colorado might be the better deal than buying an OTC and having 4-5 day season, crowded up with orange men.
Plus nonresidents can also apply for licenses left over after the draw
From the changes I've seen in the Colorado seasons, and the cost of their nonresident licenses these days, a nonresident on a first time elk hunt would do very well to look at one of the Wyoming left-over antler less tags.
Saw a thing the other day said that Co, had over 200 K hunters , and killed just short of 20k elk,,, that's a less than 10% success rate.
Did I mention that same general license is also good for archery?
Want to go deer hunting? Buy a deer license, no luck on the mule deer? Why shucks just head up to the Black Hills and center punch a whitetail.
The last time I hunted down there, my little brother was living on our place out of Granby. He was plowing snow over Berthoud, and he and his buddy's had this secret spot all picked out... We got there way before first late, followed the trail way back in.. Waited for shooting light and spread out to start hunting. I stalked down a long ridge and then sat for a while, then started my way back to the pickup. When I got within a 1/4 mile of the trail just about every other pine tree had at least 2 big orange blobs at the bottom of them.. When I got back to the pickup, the place was about as full as the Cherry Creek Mall parking lot...That was in 88, I can only imagine what a mess it is there now.
Generally speaking yes they are somewhat less crowded. All muzzle loader only elk seasons draw only however.Would it be more worth it to hunt the Archery and/or Muzzle loader season? Are they a little less crowded?
Finding elk was seldom a problem, once you got away from the "orange men", finding a legal elk could be a real bugger at times.If your little brother was living at your place out of Granby and that's in Middle Park you have part of the Indian Peak Wilderness close by also part of the Never Summer Wilderness or you could gain access thru Rocky Mtn National Park to some pretty good hunting (walk/horseback). I've been hunting middle park since the 70. You can go around Lake Granby east side and no rds. If your brother was plowing Bethound surprise he won't get you east side coming down or the west side. You can go west on 40 to up to rd that turns off to Streamboat Spring and north side of that rd has access to Continental Divide. I killed my biggest bull unit18. I spend around 3/4 month between fishing/hunting and scouting around Granby.
If your local and can't find elk something is wrong.
Tips, tricks, and techniques:. Hunt early. Hunt high. Don't bugle or elk call unless you really know what you're doing. Their sense of smell is EXTREMELY good; need to mind the wind direction.My non-profit salary isn't enough money to spend $6K on a hunting trip, so it'll be mostly a DIY trip. However, my wife's cousin lives in Colorado Springs, so we'll be tagging along with him. I've talked to him a little about this stuff, but I like to hear from more people on their experience. It's more helpful to me.