Where To Start

[Mussgrass]

I guess what is your goal? My friend drew a general tag in idaho this year first year applying so there are chances to get out without waiting for years you just have to be willing to not go for the greatest tags. Are you looking for an elk or deer hunt?

Not sure which.

 

[wtrfwlhunter]

Not sure which.

One idea may be to look at cow elk hunts.

 

[Bonasababy]

Sorry, forgot to mention that. I am in Pennsylvania. That adds another dynamic for me. When we would visit our daughter we drove one direction and flew the other. did it twice. I don't relish either flying with gear or driving that far out and back. There is plenty of hunting here at home so it's not like I need something to do.

Are you applying for the PA elk lottery? Needle in a haystack I bet but looks like it doesn't cost much to apply.

 

[Mussgrass]

One idea may be to look at cow elk hunts.

If I understand correctly Montana has some OTC tags for non-residents. Maybe other states do too.

 

[SAJ-99]

If I understand correctly Montana has some OTC tags for non-residents. Maybe other states do too.

No OTC. Not deer or elk tags. Pretty sure CO is only state with OTC?

 

[Forkyfinder]

No OTC. Not deer or elk tags. Pretty sure CO is only state with OTC?

You are exactly correct

 

[Corn king 60]

Are you applying for the PA elk lottery? Needle in a haystack I bet but looks like it doesn't cost much to apply.

New for 2026 and beyond. Everyone must purchase a regular hunting license to be able to apply. Non residents capped at 10% and residents or nonresident bull tags are OIL .
Good luck to everyone.

 

[Mussgrass]

How do outfitter tags work? Is it the same in all states? This would probably be a once in a lifetime hunt so I owe it to myself to go with an outfitter.

 

[Nick87]

How do outfitter tags work? Is it the same in all states? This would probably be a once in a lifetime hunt so I owe it to myself to go with an outfitter.

That changes a lot of things.

 

[SAJ-99]

How do outfitter tags work? Is it the same in all states? This would probably be a once in a lifetime hunt so I owe it to myself to go with an outfitter.

Check Idaho. They have an outfitter tag system that might be what you are looking for. I’m not sure where it stands in the 2026 draw process l given we have passed a couple of dates already.

 

[Nick87]

If your gonna do a one time thing then I'd recommend going with the outfitter. New Mexico guides have tags you can buy. So does colorado for some hunts. Wyoming some outfitters can get you drawn as well with little to no points.

 

[longtail55]

How do outfitter tags work? Is it the same in all states? This would probably be a once in a lifetime hunt so I owe it to myself to go with an outfitter.

Not sure on Montana?
Colorado has many options. PLO (Private Land Only) tags are common and easy to draw through the normal draw Just would have to find an outfitter. They also have Ranching for Wildlife tags that are available directly through outfitters/landowners. again, you would need to find an outfitter.
Wyoming you would need to apply through the normal draw. As far as I know there are no available set aside only for outfitter tags.
New Mexico has many options. again, find an outfitter, do some research.

You can hunt out west every year. just have to dive in and start doing some research and I feel there is kind of 2 paths to take. Either the DIY public land hustle or if you have deeper pockets and less time go the private land outfitter guided.

 

[Steiny77]

I'm at the age where I don't want to wait around building points either.
Would suggest you hook up with a good booking agent like WTA or Atcheson and they can tell you what is available without going through a point draw system. These outfits will also help you get your licenses, etc.

There are still a few places where you can hunt big game without going through a draw & point system, and in some places bound to the draw & point system you can get around it using landowner tags. This will cost a little more money than figuring it out all on your own, but worth it in my opinion.

 

[IDiot]

Would suggest you hook up with a good booking agent like WTA or Atcheson and they can tell you what is available without going through a point draw system.

Be careful with this. I don't know about specific companies but I have run into people using services to get tags that got fooled.

Some companies take your money to get you a tag through a draw, leftover, or OTC and there will be no accessible game in that unit. There may be some elk that wander into the unit or off private once every three months. Locals can sometimes fill those tags because the season is long and they can drop everything to take advantage of those occasions. For people driving across the country to hunt for a week your chance of getting an animal is very low.

My advice is, if it sounds too good to be true (any elk tag, good amount of public, long season) you should be skeptical and do a little of your own research. There are areas of Wyoming and Idaho that come to my mind when I say this. But I'm sure there are places like this in every western state.