| Other than being in the
woods with rut crazed bugling bulls, I can think of nothing more intense than those
moments right before you find out if you were fortunate enough to draw that trophy elk
hunting tag. A couple of occasions I have gone nuts after calling a game and fish hotline
and finding out that I was one of the lucky ones to draw an elk tag. My wife will vouch
for that! So just what are your chances of drawing
that elk tag that you have always dreamed about? More importantly, what states and areas
actually offer that once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunity?
The first rule to remember when your goal is to harvest a
trophy class bull elk is that you can't harvest what is not there. Currently, elk numbers
are at or near all time highs in the western states. This is great news for elk hunters.
So finding elk is not necessarily what we are up against, but finding that 350-plus bull
is the challenge. By the way, I know some hunters that aren't satisfied with anything less
than 370 and would just as soon go home with their tag than to kill a 330 bull!
Colorado has the largest elk population in the country at
200,000 plus, but it isn't known for producing monster bulls. The majority of Colorado's
hunting is over-the-counter tags and that means sharing the woods with lots of hunters. If
a branch-antlered bull will satisfy you then there's no better place than Colorado.
 Utah and Oregon also
offer over-the-counter tags and similar hunting opportunities, but let's narrow it down
and talk about those states and areas where a determined hunter has a reasonable chance of
seeing those huge racked monarchs that we daydream about.
It's no longer a secret that Arizona has been consistently
producing huge bulls for a number of years and there is no reason why that trend won't
continue. Last year I know of at least two 400-plus bulls that were taken on public land
as well as many 350-plus bulls. That is incredible when you consider that Arizona claims
to have only about 35,000 elk.
This year the entire West is in the grips of a drought.
This will affect antler growth and hunt quality, but let's pray that this drought doesn't
last much longer. On normal moisture years, units such as 9 and 10 in Arizona are hard to
beat. On drought years units 1 and 27 are probably better choices because they are more
mountainous. Many units, such as 7, 8, 23, and 3C, are very capable of producing whopper
bulls.
As many of you know, drawing a bull elk tag in Arizona is
not easy! If you are set on a trophy bull then the archery and early rifle hunts are your
only options. A quality archery tag is easier to draw than the rifle hunt. Depending on
the unit, a non-resident usually has odds in the 5 to 20 percent range. Early rifle tags
typically have drawing odds of less than one percent, but if you draw you've won the
lottery! The longer you apply, the better your odds due to Arizona's bonus point system.
Be persistent and you will eventually draw.
Nevada is also getting a lot of attention for the huge
bulls being taken. I was awe struck by a 6x6 recently harvested that scored 425. If you
are not a Nevada resident, your odds for drawing are even tougher than Arizona. Nevada
also has a bonus point program so keep sending in your application and one of these days
you'll be hunting there (even if it is in a wheelchair).
Another state that has been a sleeper for a long time is
Utah. Although Utah's bulls aren't breaking the 400 mark there are plenty of 350 and
better bulls to be had. Like Arizona and Nevada, Utah also has a bonus point program.
Those who do draw tags must wait for five years to apply again. Utah also only allows you
to apply for one big game species in a given year. These two factors help your odds of
drawing, but a trophy tag is still a long shot. Units such as Pahvant, San Juan, and Manti
are excellent choices.
New Mexico is another state worth considering for that
Boone and Crockett bull. New Mexico does not currently have a bonus point system so
everyone applying is on equal ground. Units that are designated as 'Quality' may seem
expensive ($756) to apply for, but the odds of drawing are better than the states that I
have already mentioned. Once again, archers have better drawing odds. Units like 15A, 15B,
and any of the units in the Gila National Forest all have great elk.
One nice thing about New Mexico is that you don't have to
sacrifice $100 plus every year in order to 'buy' a bonus point. If you can stomach the
$756 to apply, you'll get back $750 if you don't draw. Believe me, if you draw, that $756
will be the best money you ever spend!
Arizona, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico are very restrictive
with their tags. That is why these states have trophy elk. Each of these states offers its
residents 78 to over 90 percent of the bull tags so non-residents are up against tough
drawing odds no
matter where they may choose to apply.
Of course let's not forget those great elk states like
Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. These states don't have the wide spread trophy potential of
Arizona or New Mexico, but there are areas in each of these states plenty capable of
producing eye popping bulls.
As with any state, the hardest hunts that to draw are the
ones that offer the most trophy potential. Look at the published drawing odds and you will
usually know which units offer the best trophy potential. Unlike other states, drawing a
tag for a trophy unit in Colorado is based totally on bonus points. These good units
usually take at least six points/years to draw a tag. The advantage is that you can
reasonably predict what year you will draw and plan accordingly.
The best way to increase your chances of hunting
trophy-sized bulls is to stack your applications. If you can afford it, pick at least
three states and apply consistently each year. In some cases, you will get a refund back
from one state and be able to use it to apply for another state.
Just like in hunting, patience and persistence are
critical. Make a strategy for applying and acquiring that trophy elk tag and stick with
it. Before you know it you will be sharing the woods with huge rutting bulls on a crisp
Autumn morning. It's the stuff dreams are made of! Good luck as you roll the elk
application dice. 
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Continued -----> Elk
Depredation - License to Kill
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