1st Elk in OTC

HuntLife17 · Oct 4, 2024

For those familiar with 1st rifle elk hunts, I was curious if your tactics change in units that are also OTC rifle? Living and hunting in PA my whole life, I am all too familiar with an obscene number of hunters hitting the limited public land in my area once rifle season opens up. However, I am considering putting in for a 1st rifle tag in an OTC unit in 2025 but would like to get the most bang for the points I’ll be burning (don’t we all though). Anyway, didn’t know if anyone could comment on their experience on a hunt like this and whether they would recommend 1st in OTC vs focusing on a hunt in a unit that is all limited draw? I have yet to take a bull and would be tickled with an opportunity at one so am currently focusing on a unit that has historically be managed for opportunity vs trophy. My primary concern would be OTC hunters flooding the unit early to scout during 1st season. Appreciate an insight you all may have.

HntHrdr · Oct 4, 2024

All 1st rifle is draw. No OTC. Some units issue more tags than others. Eastern/ Midwest hunting is not always the best comparison to out west. Animal density is often way way way less. So a few guys in a 1000 acre drainage might be too many. Good luck plenty of people tag out in Co, plenty go home with memories which is fine too

HuntLife17 · Oct 4, 2024

Appreciate the response. I should have been more clear in my question. It was more along the lines of potential pressure differences during 1st season hunts in gmus that have 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons that are OTC vs those that are 2nd and 3rd draw.

HntHrdr · Oct 4, 2024

Oh, OTC is an absolute zoo in comparison to a limited draw hunt. Easily see 5-20 trucks per trailhead in some spots. Limited draws are usually better… but can become very crowded as well

Bluehair · Oct 5, 2024

I would say the traffic during 1st season is less. You have the leaf lookers, but you don’t have the deer hunters.

From what I see, most hunters show up 1-3 days before their season starts.

TKMulePacker · Oct 5, 2024

Dont worry, you wont run into many if any hunters scouting for 2nd season during a 1st season hunt.

There is a large gap between 1st and 2nd season and the 2nd sesaon OTC crowd doesnt pry themselves off the couch until about 18hrs before opening day (If that offended you, you may resemble that comment). 1st season would be a good choice for your first rifle elk hunt. 2nd can often be discouraging if youre new to western hunting.

Also, in general, units that do not have OTC archery or rifle should offer a better 1st rifle hunt (or any hunt) as well, but may take some more points.

How many elk points do you have?

HuntLife17 · Oct 5, 2024

Appreciate all the info so far. I have 11 points right now…so I’m the dreaded NR no man’s land. While I dont want to burn them on a hunt that only takes a few years to draw, I am exploring all options as I really enjoy the hunt planning aspect of a DIY as opposed to riding into an outfitters camp and giving them the wheel. Unfortunately, the other hunts that I have been looking into that require more points often seem to point to an outfitter as the best way to go due to public/private access issues. While I could probably swing an outfitted hunt, it’s a tough pill for me to swallow when I would be happy with a branch antlers bull.

tracker12 · Oct 6, 2024

If you are going on your first elk hunt I would reconsider going DIY on public land. Best advice is 1. do a DIY hunt with an experienced elk hunter that knows the area, 2. go DIY on private property trespass fee hunt or 3. hire a guide.

HntHrdr · Oct 7, 2024

TKMulePacker said:
Dont worry, you wont run into many if any hunters scouting for 2nd season during a 1st season hunt.

There is a large gap between 1st and 2nd season and the 2nd sesaon OTC crowd doesnt pry themselves off the couch until about 18hrs before opening day (If that offended you, you may resemble that comment). 1st season would be a good choice for your first rifle elk hunt. 2nd can often be discouraging if youre new to western hunting.

Also, in general, units that do not have OTC archery or rifle should offer a better 1st rifle hunt (or any hunt) as well, but may take some more points.

How many elk points do you have?

Best 5 days of hunting is the last 5 days of 2nd rifle… gets pretty empty out there

The_Coloradoboy · Oct 7, 2024

HntHrdr said:
Best 5 days of hunting is the last 5 days of 2nd rifle… gets pretty empty out there

Killed a lot elk over the years in the middle of the week during 2nd and 3rd rifle season. Majority of people burn out after the first 2 or 3 days

HuntLife17 · Oct 7, 2024

The_Coloradoboy said:
Killed a lot elk over the years in the middle of the week during 2nd and 3rd rifle season. Majority of people burn out after the first 2 or 3 days

Interesting take. Sounds a lot like PA rifle season in that after opening day, the only guys left are die hards who didn’t tag out or older guys who are looking for an escape from the wife for a few more days.

The_Coloradoboy · Oct 8, 2024

HuntLife17 said:
Interesting take. Sounds a lot like PA rifle season in that after opening day, the only guys left are die hards who didn’t tag out or older guys who are looking for an escape from the wife for a few more days.

Typically the opening weekend of the OTC rifle seasons are a circus. Depending on the unit the elk do two things; bail on to private or they go into secluded canyons/pockets. Majority of the time if you’re willing to venture into and pack out of those deep canyons you can turn up elk with some patience and effort. All these raghorns were killed 2nd/3rd season mid to late in the season on heavily pressured units.