Cow elk on Public Land
Starting in 2014, The Utah Division of Wildlife began issuing antlerless elk-control permits. These permits provide additional opportunities for hunters with a buck deer, bull elk or any once-in-a-lifetime (OIL) permit to harvest cow elk. These antlerless elk-control permits are also available for purchase with a valid General Season Elk Permit which are available over the counter (OTC) for both residents and non-residents.
In 2015, the elk population is still at or above objective in each of the antlerless elk-control units, so the Utah Division of Wildlife is encouraging hunters to harvest cow elk from these units. So, anyone interested in hunting during the general season with OTC tags can improve their chances by getting an antlerless elk-control permit after they purchase the general permit.
Note: Antlerless elk-control permits will also be available in 2016, but probably not in the same units. I will update this after the final decisions are published.
Since all Limited Entry and once-in-a-lifetime tags have already been issued for the 2015 hunting season, I am directing this post to hunters that plan to hunt with OTC tags. In Utah, the General Spike and Any Bull Elk Tags go on sale starting 7/14/2015. There are about 15,000 tags available for both the General Spike Elk and Any Bull Elk Tags, so first come first serve (Purchase Utah Elk Tags Here).
After you purchase a general elk tag, the antlerless elk-control permits go on sale July 21, 2015 (8:00 am).
2015 Utah Antlerless Elk-Control Units
Hunt With OTC Any Bull Elk Tag
- Chalk Creek
- East Canyon
- Henry Mountains
- Morgan-South Rich
- Nine Mile, Range Creek
- Ogden
- Pine Valley
- San Rafael, North
- South Slope, Yellowstone
Hunt With OTC Spike Elk Tag
- Mt Dutton
- San Juan, East of US-191
- West Desert, Vernon
- Wasatch Mountains (entire unit)
- Wasatch Mountains, Avintaquin/Currant Creek
- Wasatch Mountains, West
Make Note of these Restrictions for Antlerless elk-control permits in Utah:
- The antlerless elk-control permit allows you to harvest an antlerless elk in the same unit where you have a buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime permit
- Antlerless elk-control permits are not valid statewide
- The Buck Deer, Bull Elk and Once-in-a-lifetime hunt units may be larger than the antlerless elk-control unit, so you must verify all hunt boundaries
- The antlerless elk permit is only valid during the season dates and with the same weapon listed on the buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime permit
I usually hunt the spike elk units because they are closer to home for me and I prefer to hunt the general season with both spike and antlerless elk tags. I primarily hunting for the meat and having both tags increases the chances of success especially in the spike elk units.
Check out My DIY Elk Hunting Guide
Hi, I am currently packing for a long awaited elk hunt of the limited entry area of the Wasatch range. (14) yrs of applying! Decided to go with a 1x scope on my .50 Austin Halleck muzzle loader. Haven’t sighted it yet, but noticed while looking thru the scope, I can see the rifle barrel. Is this due to the 1x scope, or low rings? This doesn’t happen with any of my other rifle/scope combos. Thanks
Congrats on finally getting that tag… I’m still waiting on mine, but I hope I don’t have to wait as long as you did.
In answer to your question, yes…
Because the field of view of the 1X scope is so wide and also probably because of the low rings. My 1X scope does the same thing.
The 1X scope seems to make things look farther away. I thought about taking the front site off of the muzzleloader, but decided to leave it in case something happened to the scope. My front site is in the field of view, but does not interfere with the cross hairs.
You mention that you don’t notice this with any of your other rifles… but are they magnified?
Remember that a scope looks in a strait line, but the rifle barrel will be pointed slightly upwards towards the line of sight in order to “lob” the bullet towards the impact point.
If you can see the target behind the cross hairs, I would ignore it. If not, you can get larger rings or spacers.
Now that you finally have that tag, make sure you get that smoke pole sighted in and practice enough so you are ready to take advantage of the opportunity when that big old bull sticks his head out…
Good luck and send me a picture when you get him.
Thanks for the info. Will be shooting soon. Brother and I did a cow hunt in the Mt. Dutton unit last Dec. We camped for a week in two different areas, came real close to burning some powder, but it didn’t work out. We will be in a drop camp for this elk hunt, can’t wait!
Hello. I am planning to get spike bull elk tag at panguitch lake. Would anybody can give me some info? Thanks Henry
Hendra: What info are you looking for?
Hi,
Thanks a bunch for your article about OTC Elk tags for Utah. It’s probably what got me to thinking to hunt Utah last year for the first time. I bought the “Any Bull” any weapon tag and also purchased a antlerless Elk control tag for 93 dollars. Unfortunately I didn’t take home any meat but did see plenty of elk so was not disappointed in the least. I already have my Any bull tag again this year. Now that I know the area and where to expect to see Elk and after more preperation I feel my odds are really good of taking meat home this time. This is the 22nd of July 2019 and tomorrow the antlerless control tags come out and I’ll be purchasing one again this year. I hunted solo last year but bringing a friend this time and he has his tag already as well. I can’t wait. I’m 69 and look forward to Elk hunting more than about anything else I do. Again, thanks a bunch for all the great info!
Yes, the antlerless control tags are still available in certain areas, so I can probably guess which Any Bull unit you are hunting…
I still hunt by myself, but probably should hunt with a buddy…
Good luck on your hunt.