OTC vs. Draw??

[Shake N' Bake]

I'm wanting to do a Elk or Mule Deer hunt in the next few years. Probably will go to New Mexico or Colorado because they would be closest. It seems like buying an OTC tag would make planning in advance easier but not sure how it all works. If anyone has any insight I would appreciate it!!

[elkbowhunter]

I would go scout the area you want to hunt first few weeks of August. As far as OTC its pretty easy really. Just buy the OTC online and go hunt. You need your Texas hunter safety number. This year in Colorado OTC are 576 bucks. Do you have a friend that already hunts where you want to go? Its always good to learn from other peoples mistakes. Scouting, just getting out there exploring is a good way to prepare. Adventure!

[Shake N' Bake]

I would go scout the area you want to hunt first few weeks of August. As far as OTC its pretty easy really. Just buy the OTC online and go hunt. You need your Texas hunter safety number. This year in Colorado OTC are 576 bucks. Do you have a friend that already hunts where you want to go? Its always good to learn from other peoples mistakes. Scouting, just getting out there exploring is a good way to prepare. Adventure!

I've got a friend who will go with me but this will be our first trip. My biggest fear is that our first trip will be more working out the kinks and learning and not much success. I'm leaning towards Colorado but don't have a specific area in mind yet. We have access to a camper but not sure if tent camping would be better?

[TWP]

If you do a DIY you will make mistakes. That is why only a very very few people get elk every year, and most of them use a lot of hunting days to do it. Check out "The Elk Thread" on here. Think we are at 20 pages.

Go in looking for an awesome time and you won't be disappointed. Go in looking for big horns and it may be better to save coin and doing a high dollar guided hunt. Either way nothing is guaranteed. Just go and you will be hooked. Also, get Cam Hane's book "Backcountry Bowhunting" when you can.

[Ricky T]

All deer in Colorado are draw. I think New Mexico is draw for everything. Some units in Colorado are draw for elk. A lot are not.

[Shake N' Bake]

If you do a DIY you will make mistakes. That is why only a very very few people get elk every year, and most of them use a lot of hunting days to do it. Check out "The Elk Thread" on here. Think we are at 20 pages.

Go in looking for an awesome time and you won't be disappointed. Go in looking for big horns and it may be better to save coin and doing a high dollar guided hunt. Either way nothing is guaranteed. Just go and you will be hooked. Also, get Cam Hane's book "Backcountry Bowhunting" when you can.

Thanks for the info! I think it's gonna have to be DIY so I can afford it. I think your right I need to go at it with the right expectations. Adventure and fun first and if we kill something it's icing on the cake. I will get that book!!

[Bill]

There's an elk hunting thread on TBH with lots of good info.

To clarify what was said, in CO you used to actually bring your state hunter safety card to show it, not just the number, unless that has changed since 2008.