Best Remaining OTC and General Elk Units Across the West (2026)
Introduction
OTC and general elk hunting isn’t what it used to be, and if you’ve been out West at all recently you’ve already seen it. More people, more pressure, and elk that don’t stick around long once the shooting starts. But it’s not dead. Not even close. You just can’t roll into a unit blind anymore and expect it to play out. If you pick the right areas and actually pay attention to how pressure moves elk, there’s still plenty of opportunity without waiting years to draw a tag.
Colorado — Still OTC, But Not Easy
Colorado is still the backbone of OTC elk hunting, but it’s changed. The biggest thing to understand right now is OTC archery is resident-only, so non-residents aren’t flooding those early seasons the way they used to. That’s shifted pressure around quite a bit. For residents, OTC archery is still one of the best ways to hunt elk every year if you’re willing to put in the time. Units like 12, 13, 23, 24, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, and 45 all still hold elk and give you room to work with, but you’ve got to get away from easy access. For non-residents, rifle and leftover tags are really where you’re playing now. Either way, the guys finding elk aren’t just hiking farther, they’re thinking differently. Hunt edges, hunt pressure, and don’t expect elk to be where they used to be.
Idaho — Earn Everything
Idaho is still one of the last places where OTC feels like a real hunt. No points, no waiting, just pick a zone and go. But it’s not forgiving country. Zones like Salmon, Sawtooth, Middle Fork, and Selway are big, steep, and thick, and that alone keeps a lot of hunters out. Elk are there, but you’re going to earn every opportunity you get. Some of the easier-access zones get crowded, but the second you’re willing to go a little farther or hunt overlooked pockets, things start to open up. Idaho isn’t about convenience, it’s about effort, and if you bring that, it still produces.
Wyoming — General Tag Done Right
Wyoming’s general elk tag is one of the best setups left if you want consistency. It’s not OTC, but it’s close enough if you plan ahead. A couple points usually gets you in as a non-resident, and once you have it, you’ve got a lot of country to hunt. Areas like 7, 21, 23, 24, and 25 all fall into general regions depending on the year, and they offer a mix of terrain from foothills to heavy timber. Then you’ve got places like Area 16 that don’t get much attention but still hold good elk and don’t see the same pressure as the more popular areas. You’re not in a trophy-managed system, but you’re in good elk country. If you stay mobile and don’t get locked into one spot, Wyoming is one of the most consistent ways to stay in elk year after year.
Montana — Big Country, Big Adjustment
Montana gives you a ton of ground with a general tag, but that’s both the advantage and the challenge. Elk are spread out, and once pressure hits, they move. Southwest Montana units like 320, 321, and 322, along with central units like 411 and 417, all hold elk, but you can’t expect them to stay put. Western units like 121 and 124 can be good too, especially if you’re willing to deal with thicker country. The biggest mistake here is hunting too close to roads or getting stuck in one area. If you’re willing to move and adjust, Montana still offers a solid general hunt.
Oregon — Underrated for a Reason
Oregon doesn’t get talked about much, and honestly that’s part of why it still works. West side units like Trask, Stott Mountain, and Alsea are thick, wet, and tough to hunt, but they hold Roosevelt elk and don’t see the same pressure patterns as more open states. On the east side, units like Wenaha, Sled Springs, and Starkey offer Rocky Mountain elk and a little more visibility, but they’re more controlled. It’s not easy hunting anywhere in Oregon, but if you’re willing to grind, it’s still a solid option that a lot of people overlook.
Washington — Not Easy, Still Opportunity
Washington isn’t going to be at the top of most people’s list, but it still offers general elk hunting. Eastern units like 101, 105, and 108 hold Rocky Mountain elk, while the west side is more Roosevelt country in thick timber. Pressure can be high and success rates aren’t great, but elk are there. If you’re willing to put the time in and not expect it to be easy, it’s another way to stay in the game without dealing with a draw system.
The Reality Now
OTC and general elk hunting didn’t disappear, it just got more competitive. Elk didn’t go anywhere, they just got better at dealing with hunters. The guys still finding success are the ones who adjust. They move when pressure moves, they hunt places others don’t want to go, and they don’t rely on the same old spots year after year. There’s no magic unit anymore. It’s how you hunt it that matters.
Final Thoughts
If you want to hunt elk consistently without waiting years for a tag, OTC and general seasons are still your best bet. You might not be chasing giants every year, but you’ll be in elk country, learning, and getting real opportunities. And that’s what keeps most hunters coming back.
Brief Summary
OTC and general elk hunting across Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana still offer real opportunity. Success comes down to picking the right areas and adapting to pressure.
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