Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Elk Hunting in the USA

Just wondering what your guy's thoughts are on where a fella would have a good chance at taking a big bull in the states with a OTC tag or not too long of a wait on a draw system. I've taken my fair share in Saskatchewan and Alberta but haven't run across anything particularily huge and would like a crack at a decent bull. There are spots in Alberta with big elk in them but in the draw system, you're looking at 7-8 years, and that is a long time to wait. Anyways, any info would be appreciated. Also, if you want to put me up for a couple of weeks and guide for me, that would be alright, too.

Ain't much diffrent in the west. The sre some areas here in Colorado take 10 or more. Your chances of taking a real big bull on public are fair at best. I know guys that do it consistantly but they work their butt off to find them.

To put it bluntly, to hunt over-the-counter bull elk in the West is a young man's game. You simply have to go where most people can't / won't, or wait for the draw.

Fortunately, in a lot of places a half mile of the road might as well be on the moon, especially if there's some vertical terrain. JMO, Dutch.

Define "big bull" 300 points, 350, 400???
I wait 4 to 5 years for a shot at decent elk hunting.
7 to 8 years of applying for trophy elk hunting is nothing.

For me, anything around or over the 300 area would be a big bull for me. I'm not a young pup nor an old fart by any means and I'm certainly not afraid of any vertical or elevation gain; just looking for a few ideas there big fella.

Colorados OTC boe tags can put in some good spots you just nned to do your homework to find the big boys. But if you are looking for 4-5 pointers there can be a bunch out there.