Where to Hunt for Elk: The 3 States That Still Offer Great DIY Hunts

The days of buying an elk tag at the hardware store might be fading away, but the West is still rich in elk opportunities. Here’s a breakdown of the states to investigate and how to find a bull when you get there

By Jace Bauserman – Outdoor Life

I’ve hunted elk on public ground across the West for 25 years. I’ve made incredible memories, learned a lot, and punched more tags than I deserve. But I’ve also seen a lot change over that quarter century. 

You’ve probably watched celebrity elk gurus who hunt private elk nirvana and show 300-plus-inch bulls screaming their guts out while charging into elk calls. Those hunters hold out for magnum-sized bulls that hang out in open meadows with snow-capped peaks in the background. This makes for incredible footage, but public land elk hunting in over-the-counter tag areas, or those that require less than four points to draw, isn’t like that. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL STORY