Kentucky elk draw?

Cobbhunts

Veteran member
Jan 22, 2014
1,060
1
Kentucky
Someone posted this on a another site. I can't swear by the accuracy. But here it is anyway.

This years drawing odds are:
Bull Firearm - 1/149 (resident) 1/729 (non resident)

Cow Firearm - 1/30 (resident) 1/96 (Nonresident)

Bull Archery - 1/86 (resident), 1/673 (Nonresident)

Cow Archer - 1/14 (Resident) 1/73 (Nonresident)

Youth Only Either Sex - 1/135 (resident) 1/369 (Non resident)


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Zim

Very Active Member
Feb 28, 2011
738
67
LaPorte, IN
With non resident draw odds of about 1 in 750 for bull rifle and 1 in 500 for bull archery, is it worth putting in? I know some non residents draw but those odds are just a big time money maker for the fish and wildlife department.
I am trying to be smarter about draw strategies and point building in order to have a statistical chance with my applications in western states.
I kind of think its a waste of money if your odds are less than one half of one percent.
I kind of think its a waste of money to play powerball lottery too.
I live in Illinois, and have been elk hunting out west for almost 20 years. I am very glad the state reestablished them, and glad they are doing well. However, no way do I waste my time applying for Kentucky elk. It's simply not worth the time and effort for such rediculously low draw odds. I have enough longshot bighorn sheep odds type hunts to keep track of as is. I have hunts I put in for out west with the same bull quality as KY for 50% draw odds every year with no points.
 

Cobbhunts

Veteran member
Jan 22, 2014
1,060
1
Kentucky
And I don't blame you Zim. But on the flip side of that, its only $10 and takes less than 5 minutes. I put in for 2 chances so its $20. I waste that on beer every week or so. So I'll have my name in the hat at least. With crappy odds to boot. Just not as crappy as the NR odds, which is why I completely understand why a NR would shy away from the draw.

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Kentucky hunter

Active Member
Jul 22, 2013
275
0
loretto ky
Zim its not the odds that I think is so bad its all you hear drawing bull tags is someone that has donated 20 to 50 thousand an the next 2 to 3 years they be drawing tags an members of there family getting tags you here of people drawing a few cow tags but thats it
 

shootist

Member
Oct 17, 2012
81
0
Southern Illinois
One of my close friends from IL (I also live in IL) drew a 1st season firearm bull tag. He is on cloud 9 as you can imagine. Now he is looking into outfitters/guides. If anybody has any info, send it to me and I'll pass it along.
 

Cobbhunts

Veteran member
Jan 22, 2014
1,060
1
Kentucky
Lost mtn outfitters. But he had better call fast. Like now. He fills up fast. But the bull I posted earlier came from his camp.

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Zim

Very Active Member
Feb 28, 2011
738
67
LaPorte, IN
And I don't blame you Zim. But on the flip side of that, its only $10 and takes less than 5 minutes. I put in for 2 chances so its $20. I waste that on beer every week or so. So I'll have my name in the hat at least. With crappy odds to boot. Just not as crappy as the NR odds, which is why I completely understand why a NR would shy away from the draw.

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I'll take the $10 in beer.

With all due respect, step back and look again. From everything I have read, this is by no means a slammer hunt. In 2013 the prize for beating 1 in 561 or 1 in 627 draw odds is you get to pay $700 to hunt the typical 3 to 5 year old bulls. There have only been 2 bulls taken over 350" (barely over) in the last 4 years in the entire state. The guy in the photo would make that 3. A couple years ago I took a 330" bull in a New Mexico unit which had 100% guided pool odds in 2011, on a $555 tag. I saw only one other hunter my entire hunt. 0.159% vs. 100.00% odds. Are you really winning even if you beat those insane bighorn sheep draw odds?

BTW - Although one can't assume all the increase was due to the new Huntin Fool listing, I expect it had a strong effect. Their were ~15% more applicants this year than last.
 
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Cobbhunts

Veteran member
Jan 22, 2014
1,060
1
Kentucky
What do you want me to step back look at? I am with ya Zim, and I never said it was slammer hunt. The success rate is very high however. It's a no brainer for me though. I live exactly 1 hour from where the Elk area begins, and less than 4 hours away from where it ends haha. As stated earlier, I put in for Bull rifle and cow rifle. I just wanted some meat, and with the WY trip I have planned this fall, I didn't feel like I would be able to hunt like I would want during our Archery Elk season (If drawn). I typically put in for Archery Bull/Rifle Bull, with the hopes of drawing the archery tag.

250 Bull tags issued in 2013. KY had 242 total bull harvested. Cow archery is probably the most difficult hunt here.

And as far as your statement: "There have only been 2 bulls taken over 350" (barely over) in the last 4 years in the entire state"

I am not going to look it up to verify that. But that's only what is reported. The picture I posted, he hasn't reported it. He will eventually, I am sure, because it will be so high up the archery list. But he hasn't yet. KY is currently asking all successful Bull Elk hunters to send in their score sheets for a top 100 list. Having said that, you are correct, most of the bulls being hunted are probably 3-5 year old bulls - and the draw odds are astronomical. I am just saying that it's a cheap application for that smidgen of a chance. And we do kill our fair share of 320-340 class bulls and above…. in comparison to our herd size vs. the more populated western states. I believe our herd is only around 12,000 animals the last time I checked.

And for what its worth, I am going to start applying for Elk in NM next year. And I'll be buying points in at least WY as well. I really want to go try this phenomenon they call Elk hunting. And it's not happening in KY thus far.
 

Cobbhunts

Veteran member
Jan 22, 2014
1,060
1
Kentucky
Feedback.....call Lost Mountain Outfitters. And Congratulations!!

If you truly want to DYI I can try and help ya. I'll shoot you my number.

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OregonJim

Very Active Member
Feb 19, 2014
795
0
Oregon Coast
I haven't put in for KY but I probably will next year.

I look at it a little different but I respect the opinions of those folks who think it is a waste of time.
In fact I hope next year more folks think that way!!!!:eek:

Is it a waste putting in for Oregon Sheep with a 1-1400 chance?
Is it a waste putting in for Oregon Antelope when it will take 13 points? I could go OTC Antelope in some places.
Guilty on both draws but thats the only way I will get to hunt the location I want, and with a little skill and luck, I might harvest an Oregon animal of that species.

I regularly hunt elk out west and some of those tags are 100% or nearly so.

For KY; the possible opportunity of hunting Elk in a unique landscape outweighs the fact that I'm hunting elk.
I've hunted elk in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and this year I add Wyoming.
Each state is a different hunt and I appreciate the fact that I have been lucky enough to hunt there.
I can hunt over the counter in 3 states or cash points in, in two others pretty much anytime.
I'll spend $10 on a chance. Thats a bargain compared to the PP fees I had to build up in WY.

I do spend $10 on a lottery ticket every now and then and unlike the lottery this money is actually going to a good cause.
I don't see it as a waste, but rather the cost of doing business, but that is just me.:)
 
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