OTC Tags for Elk in Utah?

[taz_gerstman]

Good day everyone. So a friend of mine has a cousin that has recently moved to Utah, not sure which area yet, and has some places to hunt that are private and of course public land. If we do not draw a tag for New Mexico we have decided to go to Utah for a DIY hunt. I have read where you can get OTC tags for Utah and I have briefly spoken with the Utah game and fish and they said tags go on sale like July 1st I believe and of course for non-resident it is very limited but I was wondering if someone who has experience with this type of situation could fill me in on the details and the things to expect. Thanks

 

[xcutter]

Rifle or bow?

OTC Archery tags are unlimited I believe. You can get the "Hunter's Choice" which is cow, spike or bull. Comes with fishing license. Check out the Utah Big Game Handbook.

 

[taz_gerstman]

Currently just bow I think but be good to know either way

 

[muddydogs]

What details? What to expect for what? Go on the Utah web site and purchase a archery elk tag, before you purchase you need to know if your hunting in a spike or any bull unit. Come August head to Utah to bow hunt with a whole ton of other bow hunters enjoy the nice hot weather and hope to see an elk that isn't running 50 MPH.

 

[BearBow77]

If you're going to do a non-resident hunt. Utah isnt the place to do it. Unless things have changed, ( which 4 years ago that I was up there they hadnt) the OTC tags will be passed out much like the AZ system. You purchase the tag, but.......they restrict what units are available. Usually low success rate areas or areas they are trying to remove elk from all together, like AZ. Maybe someone who has been to utah recently can comment and possible update us all?

 

[muddydogs]

If you're going to do a non-resident hunt. Utah isnt the place to do it. Unless things have changed, ( which 4 years ago that I was up there they hadnt) the OTC tags will be passed out much like the AZ system. You purchase the tag, but.......they restrict what units are available. Usually low success rate areas or areas they are trying to remove elk from all together, like AZ. Maybe someone who has been to utah recently can comment and possible update us all?

Restrict areas? One can archery hunt about any place in Utah that holds elk. Some of the bigger bull units are spike only as there limited entry draw units for nice bulls and other units are any bull. There are a lot of bow hunters but if someone wanted to put in a few years and learn an area they could do alright bow hunting. Your not limited to just one unit in Utah either, hunt any spike unit or any of the any bull units with which ever tag you have, I do think that some of the any bull units have a NR tag quota, not sure about the spike units. I don't know of any place in Utah that there trying to remove elk from, maybe reduce population but not remove.

 

[arwhntr]

Utah OTC elk tags are a tough hunt. If you can get access to private that will help immensely. My non-resident buddy arrowed a bomber 7x7 on the OTC tag a couple years back but had received permission from a private landowner.

 

[BearBow77]

Restrict areas? One can archery hunt about any place in Utah that holds elk. Some of the bigger bull units are spike only as there limited entry draw units for nice bulls and other units are any bull. There are a lot of bow hunters but if someone wanted to put in a few years and learn an area they could do alright bow hunting. Your not limited to just one unit in Utah either, hunt any spike unit or any of the any bull units with which ever tag you have, I do think that some of the any bull units have a NR tag quota, not sure about the spike units. I don't know of any place in Utah that there trying to remove elk from, maybe reduce population but not remove.

Sorry, saw my comment and meant to put restrict the dates. Totally confused myself SMH.... The elk hunting dates are screwed up. Open in August and close right before the rut. Utah is interested in making money, not elk hunters success. Utah is known for tough hunting for elk. Me personally, I wouldn't waste my time in the crap hole state. Idaho would be my go to nonresident hunt.

 

[reaperukon]

I’m a Utah resident. I buy the tag, but it’s cheap for me and it’s always a back up hunt. There are a TON of hunters and no bugling action (which is what I prefer). The season starts in August when it’s bloody hot. There’s a lot more enjoyable hunts out there. But feel free to give it a swing. You’ll see


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[muddydogs]

Sorry, saw my comment and meant to put restrict the dates. Totally confused myself SMH.... The elk hunting dates are screwed up. Open in August and close right before the rut. Utah is interested in making money, not elk hunters success. Utah is known for tough hunting for elk. Me personally, I wouldn't waste my time in the crap hole state. Idaho would be my go to nonresident hunt.

Yep the season dates might suck for bow hunters but there not to bad for me and last year with the hot weather the rifle hunters got to enjoy some bugling elk.
Go to Colorado, they have all the elk.

 

[Roughwater]

Good day everyone. So a friend of mine has a cousin that has recently moved to Utah, not sure which area yet, and has some places to hunt that are private and of course public land. If we do not draw a tag for New Mexico we have decided to go to Utah for a DIY hunt. I have read where you can get OTC tags for Utah and I have briefly spoken with the Utah game and fish and they said tags go on sale like July 1st I believe and of course for non-resident it is very limited but I was wondering if someone who has experience with this type of situation could fill me in on the details and the things to expect. Thanks

Taz,

I didn't see where you mentioned whether you are hunting using bow or gun? 2nd, seems like a lot of folks like to post info and what little they post is just 2nd hand smoke.

I haven't hunted in Utah bow but like someone said it's unlimited. However the OTC bow season is not Ideal for sure as it's not even close to the peak of the rut. That said I know a young man who hunts it and got a Elk at least 2 years in a row.

As to OTC Rifle, the Rut is still in when it starts Oct 5 through the 17th this year (2019).
The OTC any weapon (Rifle) any bull is not a bad hunt. Tags are limited to 15000 tags, 1st come 1st served, and if you haven't got one yet and want one you better get off the John and get one as they are selling pretty fast. They were made available July16th. The general season Any bull hunt is as it says (any bull), any bull can be taken. Something like 22 units available. In parts of I think 7 units you can also purchase a antlerless elk control tag too in addition to the Bull tag for cheap. Folks who are know the elk are and or willing to work hard to find them. I hunted it last year and saw a number of Elk. Your expeirence may vary.

There is also the OTC spike hunt. I never done it but Tags for it sell slower so likely no problem getting one. They also limit these to 15000 and you hunt in the limited (bred for big bulls) units, but you can only take a spike and somewhere I thought I read you could take a cow instead of a spike if you wanted but don't quote me on that. Maybe someone can chime in and confirm or deny that last statement? I would think it could be pretty interesting hunting where the Big Bulls are even if you can't take one. In those limited units just a few hunters draw every year so there should be lots of elk in there. This hunt I believe takes place the same time as the any bull hunt. This link will give you a better description of these hunts than I can: https://www.backcountrychronicles.com/utah-otc-elk-permits/

 

[idahohikker]

Utah OTC is pretty bad compared to other Western states. One first hand experience and discussions with hard hunting Utah buddies. Some guys might find a honey hole of course but your time is better spent in CO, WY, MT, ID.

 

[Roughwater]

Utah OTC is pretty bad compared to other Western states. One first hand experience and discussions with hard hunting Utah buddies. Some guys might find a honey hole of course but your time is better spent in CO, WY, MT, ID.

Looks like almost 15000 folks didn't get that memo. As of yesterday evening there were only 151 any bull tags left.
This is an Edit but I just went online and checked and the general season any bull tags have sold out!

 

[realunlucky]

Looks like almost 15000 folks didn't get that memo. As of yesterday evening there were only 151 any bull tags left.
This is an Edit but I just went online and checked and the general season any bull tags have sold out!

Everything else is a draw tag so this is ends up being the only opportunity the majority of the state has to hunt every year and they still take over a week to sell out the any bull tags. Spike tags will also sell out eventually.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Rangerpants]

I started elk hunting in Utah on an OTC any-bull tag (rifle, so it isn't totally analogous) and learned a lot. I was prepared to be there for the whole 13 day season and finally connected with a spike on the 12th day. If you are willing to put in a lot of miles, elk are there to find. I doubt there are a lot of good bulls, but it's not the impossible situation a lot of people make it out to be.

 

[Murph8868]

I have hunted both Archery and Rifle OTC tags in limited draw areas.. Its a great way to put on miles and learn an area while you collect points for the limited tags.. Spikes taste just as good as the big ones if not better.