The Elk Thread

[wytex]

Gotta say it's always cool to see folks getting so excited about hunting elk, hope you all that drew have good luck and safe hunts.
For those that didn't draw don't give up.
Wyoming has some cow elk licenses that are OTC if you can find access and Colorado OTC is still out there.

[Hockley]

No luck here in NM.

[Slab Hunter]

All red for me this year

[James]

Gotta say it's always cool to see folks getting so excited about hunting elk, hope you all that drew have good luck and safe hunts.
For those that didn't draw don't give up.
Wyoming has some cow elk licenses that are OTC if you can find access and Colorado OTC is still out there.

I’m pretty sure Colorado OTC Archery elk is no mas

[Chad_E]

We struck out in NM. Maybe we will get luck with CO.

[db@100]

I never hear about Utah. Does anyone every apply for elk tags in Utah or is Utah just too hard to draw?

[James]

I never hear about Utah. Does anyone ever apply for elk tags in Utah or is Utah just too hard to draw?

Hard to draw. I’m at 9 points

[wytex]

I’m pretty sure Colorado OTC Archery elk is no mas

Rifle OTC is still there, archery went to draw for NRs.

[Double R 2]

I never hear about Utah. Does anyone every apply for elk tags in Utah or is Utah just too hard to draw?

Utah passed a bill this year so that next year non-residents elk tag in Utah will be through the roof. Probably cost you between $2500-3700 depending on what type a tag you are after.

I am waiting on draw results for Colorado. Also buying points for a Montana hunt. It is getting much harder and costly to archery elk hunt in many states for non-residents now. Unfortunately this trend will probably keep going the wrong way for non-residents.

[BTLowry]

Utah passed a bill this year so that next year non-residents elk tag in Utah will be through the roof. Probably cost you between $2500-3700 depending on what type a tag you are after.

I am waiting on draw results for Colorado. Also buying points for a Montana hunt. It is getting much harder and costly to archery elk hunt in many states for non-residents now. Unfortunately this trend will probably keep going the wrong way for non-residents.

So much for me buying a point and starting to try and eventually get to hunt up there

[wytex]

Oh the hysteria, maybe check to see if that is really true.
From Utah:

"We're reviewing the intended goals of the legislation and are evaluating each fee based on the relevant market values of neighboring states and the opportunities we offer," DWR Director Riley Peck said. "This legislation is intended to increase revenue to allow us to purchase public land for the specific use of protecting wintering wildlife populations. The legislature also allocated $50M to the DWR, specifically for the purchase of large land parcels to secure hunting and fishing on these properties into the future."

Hunting and fishing fees for nonresidents will be increased, as follows:

• Nonresident hunting, fishing and combination license fees will not double, but will see a moderate adjustment. Nonresident 365-day fishing licenses will increase from $34 to $49 for youth and from $94 to $120 for adults. Nonresident 365-day hunting licenses will increase from $34 to $44 for youth and from $120 to $144 for adults. Nonresident combination licenses will increase from $38 to $58 for youth and from $150 to $190 for adults. This change will be in effect July 1, 2025.
• Hunt drawing application fees for nonresident hunters will also not be doubled. The new price will be $21 per application, a $5 increase, beginning on Sept. 1, 2025. There will be no changes to the fees for any applications, licenses and permits offered through the current 2025 big game application period.
• Nonresident hunting permit fees will be right-sized to value, based on the species and permit type. For example, limited-entry permit fees will be adjusted more than general-season permit fees, and once-in-a-lifetime species permit fees will generally see a higher increase, proportionally, than other permits. Nonresident buck deer permits for general-season hunts will increase from $418 to $599, and limited-entry permits will increase from $670 to $1,070. Nonresident bull elk permits for general-season hunts will increase from $613 to $849, and limited-entry permits will increase from $1,050 to $1,950.

These permit fee changes will not go through the DWR's typical public process of review — involving the Regional Advisory Councils and Utah Wildlife Board — since they have already received legislative approval.

Changes to nonresident license fees will go into effect on July 1, 2025, and changes to drawing application fees and hunting permits will go into effect Sept. 1, 2025.

[db@100]

That's a pretty good increase in cost. First time in went to Colorado mule deer hunting, I think the NR license was $35.00. A few years later it was like $50.00. That was in the mid to late '70.

[Double R 2]

Below is a good link for the changes in Utah.

https://www.huntinfool.com/states/utah/2025-license-permit-fee-changes

[AZ&F'sDaddy]

I'm in the same boat. Frustrating. I am cashing in my points in MT this year for a private land elk hunt; I have way more points than I need to draw. Next year? I had thought that I would finally try to draw in AZ, but maybe I should do the best I can with what I have in CO. I would be interested to know what you end up doing, Snapperhead.

With 18 points in MT I STILL did not draw the tag I needed for the hunt I paid for. Another hunter drew the tag with only 6 points! Crazy. I did draw a general tag in MT, so I am going to chase rag horns rather than sit at home. Struck out in NM. Also still waiting for the CO draw results. My 19 points give me a 13% chance of drawing unit 76. Life is hard being an archery elk hunter. I figure Trump will have everything straightened out for us in a month-or-two.

[TexasTK]

Cant believe how many points it takes for 76. I cut my Elk hunting teeth in unit 76 before it was a draw. Then drew it a few times with less than 3 points. My how the times have changed.
Was hoping to draw one last time but not going to happen with only 13 points currently. I sure miss that Weminuche back country.