Bigbulls here in Idaho we have had certain spike only hunts/units for the last 13 years. When the IDF&G suggested it everyone including myself thought along the same lines as you. But the we were wrong and it turns out that hardly any hunters choose those units for hunting and very few elk were killed. As a result those units are now some of the very best elk units in Idaho. They have a draw for any bull any weapon, but still spike only for general season. In archery up to a few years ago you could only shoot a cow or spike in those units. But now they have revised it so it's open to any elk with a bow. I have hunted one of those units for a long time now. To be honest thats how I learned to call elk. There was no pressure, if I screwed up calling in a big bull no big deal because I couldn't shoot him anyway. It was all for fun and to practice and learn. Then towards the end of my hunt I would get serious and shoot a spike with my bow.