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Decision guide · Where to hunt

Easiest state to draw an elk tag.

Idaho sells them over the counter. New Mexico draws random with no points. Colorado keeps the door open with accessible units and landowner vouchers. Wyoming's general tag draws with a point or two — and Utah and Arizona make you wait years. What 'easiest' really means, state by state.

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The quick answer

It depends what “easiest” means to you.

There are three different versions of “easy.” If you want a tag in hand without a draw, Idaho’s over-the-counter tags are the simplest — act early before the zone quota sells. If you want the same odds as everyone, every year, New Mexico’s random draw has no points to fall behind on. And if you want the biggest herd plus accessible units and guided/voucher paths, Colorado is the workhorse. Wyoming’s general tag is a moderate middle. The trophy states — Utah, Arizona, Nevada — are the opposite of easy. Here’s the map.

State by state

How hard is the tag?

StateTag systemAccessNotes
IdahoOver-the-counter (capped quotas)Easy — if you act earlyNon-residents can buy OTC elk tags in many zones, but popular-zone quotas sell out fast. No points, no draw for OTC zones — first-come.
ColoradoMostly limited-entry draw + some OTC/leftoverModerate — still very accessibleColorado moved most elk to a draw system (2025+) but retains OTC/leftover opportunity and easy-to-draw units, plus landowner vouchers that skip the draw entirely. Largest elk herd in North America.
New MexicoPure random draw — NO pointsEasy odds for the patientNo preference or bonus points means a first-time applicant has the same odds as everyone — you can draw any year regardless of history. Outfitter-allocation and landowner tags add paths.
WyomingGeneral + limited drawModerateA non-resident 'general' elk tag is drawable with a point or two, plus a random pool. Wilderness areas require a guide for non-residents.
MontanaLimited draw (combo)Harder, getting tighterNon-resident combo licenses are draw-only and demand has pushed odds down. Not the easy access it once was.
Utah / Arizona / NevadaTrophy-managed limited drawHard — heavy point creepFamous for giant bulls precisely because tags are scarce. Years of points required. NOT where you go for easy access.

Tag rules change every year — Colorado's recent OTC-to-draw shift is a prime example. Always confirm the current-year regulations with each state's wildlife agency before applying.

Frequently asked

Drawing an elk tag.

What is the easiest state to draw an elk tag?

It depends what you mean by 'easiest.' For simply getting a tag in hand, Idaho's over-the-counter elk tags are the most straightforward — you buy one rather than draw it, though popular-zone quotas sell out early. For guaranteed odds regardless of history, New Mexico's pure random draw (with no preference points) lets a first-timer draw any year. Colorado remains very accessible with easy-to-draw units, leftover tags, and landowner vouchers, and Wyoming's general tag draws with just a point or two. The hardest states — Utah, Arizona, Nevada — require years of points.

Can you still get an over-the-counter elk tag?

Yes, but the landscape is shrinking and shifting, so confirm the current year. Idaho still sells over-the-counter non-resident elk tags by zone quota. Colorado long offered OTC archery and 2nd/3rd rifle elk but moved much of it to a draw system starting in 2025, while keeping leftover and easier-draw opportunity. Because OTC rules change frequently, always verify the current-year regulations with the state wildlife agency before planning around an OTC tag.

What does it mean that New Mexico has no points?

New Mexico runs a pure random draw for elk with no preference or bonus point system. In states with points, applicants accumulate priority over years and the best tags effectively require a long wait ('point creep'). In New Mexico, every applicant goes into the same random pool every year, so a first-time applicant has the same shot as a 20-year veteran. It makes drawing less predictable but keeps the door open to anyone in any given year.

Is it easier to draw an elk tag with an outfitter?

In several states, yes. Some states set aside a portion of non-resident tags for hunters who book with a licensed outfitter, and others have landowner-voucher or ranch-allocation systems that bypass the public draw entirely. In Colorado, for example, landowner preference vouchers let a hunter obtain a limited-entry tag for certain units without going through the primary draw. Booking a guided hunt can be one of the more reliable ways into otherwise hard-to-draw country — ask the outfitter how tags work for their unit.

Which state should a first-time elk hunter choose?

For a first elk hunt, prioritize access and success over trophy potential: Idaho (OTC), Colorado (accessible units, the biggest herd, and guided/voucher options), New Mexico (drawable any year), or Wyoming (general tag) are the friendliest starting points. Colorado is a particularly common first choice thanks to herd size, multiple seasons, and the availability of fully guided hunts that handle access and tags for you. Match the state to your timeline, budget, and whether you're going DIY or guided.

Pillar

Best states for elk

All eight elk states ranked.

Guide

The Colorado draw

How Colorado's system actually works.

Guide

Landowner vouchers

Skip the draw entirely.