Public Land Elk hunting in CA

[wooliewill89]

Hello again people, just had another question concerning hunting Elk on public lands.
First I have tried to google my answer but have not gotten the answers in looking for. I keep getting DFG drawing and Outfitter websites, I want Information on Do It Your Self Public Land hunts in CA.
I admit I still do need quite a few preference points to draw a tag and not to mention little bit more gear, even so I'm Intrested to know if and how it's done here in CA for a resident of the state. Hunting Elk in my
home state would be really cool and simpler when comes to traveling, since going out of state to far might stretch thin.

So in all if you guys have any information on the matter or advice, that would be a great help! I just want general ideas or actual first hand experience, I figure I would have to travel north about 6-7 hours to hit land that has Elk on public land since im coming out of Fontana CA, but I'm not sure where to aim even if I did get a tag haha! Thanks again guys I look forward to your advice,
Info and knowledge.

 

[sneakypete]

I have 14 points and still haven't been drawn. Califorina is one of the tuffest elk tags to draw!

 

[wooliewill89]

Wow brother that really does suck, I had no idea.. Might take longer then I though haha! Have to look into Navada or Arizona, I seen Idaho is OTC I think. Although my wife will never let me get anywhere near Grizzly populated areas Thanks for the respond bro, goodluck!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Colorado has OTC tags too.

 

[JimP]

Arizona and Nevada are all draw also. Utah has OTC tags for archery and spike hunting for the general elk season along with some any bull units that are OTC but they have caps on the number of tags that they will sell.

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah are your best bets for a straight OTC tag

 

[ivorytip]

there are more elk covered grizzly free places in Idaho then there are grizzly infested places. you have lots of elk hunting otc choices in a few states, jump on over and try your luck.

 

[sneakypete]

Montana is another great place to hunt, with scouting knowledge etc!

 

[wooliewill89]

Thank you all for the responses, I will definitely look into the OTC Tags. How is it in CO I been thinking of moving out that way or northward or east of CA

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I was born and raised in Southern California (Downey). Lived there until I retired @58 years old. I am a retired aerospace engineer, went to USC and played football there. Been here in SW Colorado for 16 years and love it. Would never go back to Ca...only to visit family/friends. I do miss the ocean & it's fishing & diving. But we live in the country and wouldn't trade it for anything. great hunting & fishing!

 

[Jrod]

If you aren't dead set on shooting something with antlers, a cow hunt in the owens valley area may suit you. could probably draw it relatively often maybe. I don't know haven't done the math. could try to sneak in on a bull with cows and see how close you could get to him and kill the cow closest to him just so you know you could do it. Just thinking out loud. without max points it is smarter just to go out of state for a bull.

 

[wooliewill89]

That's not a bad idea actually, hunting the cow and gettin close to the bull aswell could be great pratice and experience. For now I'm just Intrested in the meat and experiences of the hunt. Thanks a lot! I will have to look into that and see if it's possible

 

[Bowhunter_60]

I have 14 points and still haven't been drawn. Califorina is one of the tuffest elk tags to draw!

It's because they give out about TWO tags for each unit. OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration but now far off.