I havent seen it. Most people will hike like that for one day maybe, then lose their drive. We are talking about the same people worried that a 30'06 if it weighs more then 6lbs, its too heavy,lol. Some will hike in further, but most dont have the stomach. SOme units are alot worse then others though. I would guess 54 has become like this, seeing all the restrictions on tags there the last few years.

OTC units are fine if you put in the WORK ;o)

If you don't like hoards of hunters. It's not ok.

Getting an elk doesn't even come into it for me. I just don't like being surrounded by fools with guns.

Colorado OTC units can be crowded but IMO if you focus on the wilderness areas that don't allow motorized access and are willing to hike in you might be able to eliminate some of the crowding. My hunting partner and I both took bulls this year second rifle in an OTC unit. It was on semi private land and we did see quite a few other hunters but the hunting was good.

Another thing, turn the situation into an advantage. Crowded public land can be a good area to hunt, if you know how to hunt it. Let those fools keep the critters moving. Let them move the elk to you. Plenty of people get large bulls, and bucks this way.

Pretty good advice from someone who lives there. Knowing where pressured animals go to can be an advantage.

Not trying to be a smart azz, just curious...what is "semi private" land?...thanks/bg

This is the type of land I hunt, public land, we are the only camp on the road in. We rarely see anyone else except an occassinal road hunter! we have taken 4 elk, 2 bulls 2 cows in the last 6 years

My hunting partner owns some land on a large 17,000 acre ranch. The deal is if you don't post your land you can hunt on the rest of the ranch that isn't posted. Only owners and a limited number of guests can hunt. It can go between somewhat crowded to few other hunters. It all depends on the year. I think there are quite a few hunting places like that throughout the west. The area abuts another ranch that doesn't allow hunting as well as a large piece of federal land which gets some pressure. It is technically private land but does allow any of the hundreds of owners to hunt.

We have some good looking bulls in SE Montana. The tags are a little exspensive, but we have some acres that we allow hunters on for a small fee so you won't pay as much for an outfitter/guide. It's a self-guided hunt. If you would like more information feel free to shoot me an email.