best value OTC hunt opinions

[Camslameron]

Just curious where this might go with everyone's input. Looking to get opinions on the best value OTC hunt. Any state, any game.

 

[Fridaythe13th]

I've never done it but some locals go to Texas and shoot a bunch of pigs for pretty cheap.

 

[Will_TXHunter]

If you are not a member of goHunt, I highly recommend their paid service. I did my own research on 6+ states for like 10 years and didn't think I would need this service, but it opened my eyes to so many nuggets of info specifically on OTC opportunities. In 2016 and 2017 I hunted an OTC unit in Southern CO for archery elk and with that experience actually am looking at units with 1-4 required preference points to get into reduced pressure and am curious to see how that compares to the OTC hunts. I am interested in learning more about how the OTC options in Idaho compared to CO.

 

[realunlucky]

This "SHOULD" be a hunter's best kept secret. This is what gohunt is trying to sell people.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Will_TXHunter]

And living in Texas, I highly recommend the Texas Parks and Wildlife drawn hunts. Not a OTC hunt, but close to it with several opportunities having very low draw odds. Another gem to those that is a little secret making them an OTC hunt is that if you just show up to the drawn hunt, they may take you last minute as a standby. I have hunted many of them over the years this way.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/

 

[Camslameron]

If you are not a member of goHunt, I highly recommend their paid service. I did my own research on 6+ states for like 10 years and didn't think I would need this service, but it opened my eyes to so many nuggets of info specifically on OTC opportunities. In 2016 and 2017 I hunted an OTC unit in Southern CO for archery elk and with that experience actually am looking at units with 1-4 required preference points to get into reduced pressure and am curious to see how that compares to the OTC hunts. I am interested in learning more about how the OTC options in Idaho compared to CO.

I'm looking at OTC idaho elk as well. I looked into colorado, but it seems like CO is on everyone's radar. From what i've seen, Idaho looks like a better option for quality of hunt, but i'm kind speculating.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Hell I will throw out some eastern nuggets, here in my homestate of virginia if you buy a non resident hunting license, big game license and bear license, plus your archery and muzzloader stamps, for $400 you can hunt all year long and kill up to 3 whitetail bucks, 1 bear, 3 turkeys. We also have bobcat and coyotes that can appear anytime while your hunting too. West Virginia, North Carolina, have similar OTC oppurtunties

Also Georgia hog hunting is pretty cheap too for a 3 day license, well under $100, as matter of fact i think it's under $50

 

[idahohikker]

I'm looking at OTC idaho elk as well. I looked into colorado, but it seems like CO is on everyone's radar. From what i've seen, Idaho looks like a better option for quality of hunt, but i'm kind speculating.

Lol. The Idaho is less busy than Colorado idea is doing a number on Idaho. It was a solid plan five years ago. Now there's 2-3 times hunter growth in some units. The tough thing for Idaho is capped tags you need to buy in December of the prior year or you get the leftovers and you're stuck with a small group of units (elk zone) and can't move around the state like other general tags and hunt any general unit. Elk numbers are generally signicantly lower in Idaho also. You can have a good hunt in Colorado or Idaho but there are no secrets anymore.

 

[idahohikker]

Many times the value is in general tags that take a couple points to draw or low point units. Ex. Utah general deer, Montana and Wyoming general elk, Colorado low point deer and elk units and leftover tags, Idaho unlimited controlled or easy to draw.

The other good opportunities for OTC is spring and fall bear in Montana or Idaho. Wolf hunting in Idaho on winter range. The predator hunts are plenty fun and fulfilling because you're helping the elk and it's not a zoo in the woods like deer and elk season.

 

[jmez]

South Dakota: Pheasant, turkey, archery deer and antelope.

 

[Gobbler36]

I'm looking at OTC idaho elk as well. I looked into colorado, but it seems like CO is on everyone's radar. From what i've seen, Idaho looks like a better option for quality of hunt, but i'm kind speculating.

Yeah you and the other 10k non residents. I’d look at general hunts in MT and WY those states are doing it right and managing for not too many people and quality animals imo

 

[Thunder head]

I understand In Utah. For some units you can get cow only tags for a draw unit. There cheap too.

 

[Camslameron]

Yeah you and the other 10k non residents. I’d look at general hunts in MT and WY those states are doing it right and managing for not too many people and quality animals imo

Its a big state. Odds still look more favorable for idaho to me but i'm still applying in wyo for the 100% draw opp hunts. I put in for the unobtainable so i keep getting a point every year. There are a couple good units with decent bull opportunities with few points.

 

[GregB]

Yeah you and the other 10k non residents. I’d look at general hunts in MT and WY those states are doing it right and managing for not too many people and quality animals imo

Adam is correct, there is a whole thread on ID vs CO in the elk forum. Unfortunately Idaho is on the radar as much as everywhere else. Over 60% of tags are already sold, and a lot of the zones are sold out.

 

[bozeman]

I like how the folks from Idaho say ‘hunt elsewhere’.........

 

[GregB]

I like how the folks from Idaho say ‘hunt elsewhere’.........

I didn't say hunt elsewhere, I just gave the OP some facts so he can make an informed decision. Some seem to be under the impression no one has heard of Idaho and there is no hunting pressure or crowds. Chances are every one of the 12K + non-res tags will sell, and most or all of the resident one will too. So there is no point in talking a few people out of coming here, it won't make a difference and someone else will buy those tags anyway. But it might be helpful to give more realistic expectations.

 

[Camslameron]

Adam is correct, there is a whole thread on ID vs CO in the elk forum. Unfortunately Idaho is on the radar as much as everywhere else. Over 60% of tags are already sold, and a lot of the zones are sold out.

Well, 17,000 more elk were bagged in CO than Idaho in 2017, average is about 2x more so, to me, that means 20k less hunter on average in idaho. Comes with alot of other variables I understand, I just would lean more towards idaho based on all the numbers ive seen. I haven't ripped the lid off the data as I usually have about 30 tabs open at any given time comparing and researching pretty much all western states. At any rate, I have a couple plans in place for elk, but i'd like to have a few species on rotation so I get to hunt something other than texas whitetail every year. Personally, i'm not really excited about spending money on points every year for 8 years to get a crack at something that I may never get to hunt again anyway, and not know what the hell i'm doing in the meantime... I do do this, but only for draws that have a better than 60% chance with 3-4 tags at most. I'd rather hunt OTC or 100% draw and get to at least sling a meat missile at a slick head from 60 yards out, maybe miss, but definitely pulling the cork out of a whiskey bottle with my pop that night. I'll keep putting in for the refundable lotteries, the small chance hunts, but I want to hunt every year and I don't particularly care what i'm hunting. Not expecting anyone to give up secrets, just places that offer the best chances at a fun hunt for an out of towner.

 

[GregB]

I've said it before I think odds of success have a lot more to do with the individual than the location or unit. Whatever you end up deciding on good luck. If you do come to Idaho shoot me a PM.

 

[Billy Goat]

As stated previously I think some eastern areas are good for a travel diy hunt. It's not Western hunting but VA and west Virginia have a decent amount of public ground. Healthy bear populations. Decent deer numbers, but don't look for Midwestern trophy quality. It's all in what you want to do. But if you want to try out a hunt and have opportunity to harvest multiple species it can be done for half the cost of an elk tag.

Honestly a mature animal on public ground is a trophy no matter where it is, in my opinion anyway.

 

[slick]

Surprised no one has said it yet. I honestly think it’s doe/cow tags at a reduced price.

You can go to MT and shoot 5-6 does, and two cow elk for the price of a big game combo tag (or similar) or 2 deer and 1 cow OTC and do it for cheap. Time it right and you could dip into WY and shoot a pile of Pronghorn does (3-4) for cheap also.

I think it’s one of the most over looked aspects of western hunting. Go hunt elk with 2 tags in your pocket for half the price of a bull tag and learn how to do it, and possibly put more meat in your freezer.

Haven’t looked into any other states as that’s just what I know. ID doesn’t offer a reduced price anterless tag that I’m aware of. OR doesn’t offer hardly any antlerless opportunity unless you’re willing to give up bulls.

Or go to one of the Midwest states and shoot a trillion whitetailed does

Shoot two bears in OR as a NR in the fall for like 180.