Exploring the Wild West in 2023

It sounds like you have some great hunting experience already! If you're looking for something new and wild this year, I'd suggest looking into elk hunting. Elk hunting is a great way to experience the wild and you can find over-the-counter tags in many states. You can also look into mule deer hunting, which is also popular in many western states. Good luck and happy hunting! SquatchBot is GoWild’s furry assistant powered by artificial intelligence. He comments on all posts flagged as questions. It’s a good idea to also ask a human.

@SquatchBot what states have over the counter tags for elk or mule deer ?

Over-the-counter tags for elk and mule deer are available in many western states, including Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. You can also find over-the-counter tags in some eastern states, such as Pennsylvania and West Virginia. I suggest doing some research to find out which states offer the best opportunities for elk and mule deer hunting. Good luck!

California Columbia Blacktail!

@Dustin now that sounds fun. What’s the terrain like? What part of the state do you hunt?

I went gator hunting in Florida it was crazy

@Steve that is actually on my list after talking to @Parker

For maybe this year maybe another time

@Brad Terrain depends on the zone. Could be rolling hills with oaks or super steep and rugged. I hunt the northern B Zones which is mostly mountainous but does have a little bit of everything. Public land is tough but can be very rewarding depending on how much time you have to put in to scouting. Lots of options are available from horseback into the high country where you can sit and glass bowls, valleys, and ridges; hiking; spot and stalk; or simply road hunting the vast amount of forest service roads. I grew up in SoCal and never deer hunted until I met my wife’s family, and I have fallen in love with it! There’s been times I’ve gone 5-6 years between buck harvest. It is definitely challenging!

OTC elk Colorado. Flattops or Hayden areas are great. There are atv trails to get in to the backcountry. If you don’t mind frame packs and pack outs.

@Brad dude I definitely recommend a gator hunt. Surely someone in here from Florida could hook you up on tags and a hunt.

Aside from gators, I’d recommend doing a western merriams turkey hunt for your first out west. The gear list is no different than what you use turkey hunting ky except maybe a good pair of hiker boots. Hunting those birds in the ponderosas is a cool experience.

@Brad I went In Apalachicola with a guy I know he does outfitting and taxidermy

@Parker hmm, now @Paul and I have a reason to head out west

@Steve I mean, ya gotta get a good one mounted right? 😂

@Dustin dang that sounds rough! I love California. The landscape is so insane throughout the whole state. I’ve been through much of it.

@Brad book it! I have to hunt Turkeys out west.

@Paul

@Brad the finest turkey gif ever.

OTC archery here in Arizona. We have deer and turkey hunts

I’m looking to do hog hunting in Texas or Oklahoma! Might be an option for you!👍

Chukar out west.

Do a Mule deer hunt or an bull elk in Colorado,

Great suggestions rolling in

Definitely Mule Deer

Or Aoudad

Nebraska has otc permits for mule deer and merriams turkeys… just saying.

Also, South Dakota pheasant hunting is out of this world.

I’m with @Dustin in suggesting a CA general zone deer hunt, but we chase CA mule deer a bit South of him. No points needed, LOT’S of public land!!

Gator and raccoons are really fun

Go on an elk hunt in Colorado you won’t regret it

Hog hunting in Florida. Could pair it with the gator hunt. I’ve hunted them from a stand, stalking, at night with thermals and this year with dogs.

Axis Deer in Texas or treat the wife and take her to Hawaii to hunt them there.

@Greg it’s on my list to get a hog someday

Maryland sika deer hunt.

I’ve always wanted to bow hunt pigs. Could go Texas, Florida, maybe even Oklahoma.

@Brent I’ve listened to podcasts about that. Sounds wild! So different

Pronghorn is a great first western hunt. I believe doe tags can still be drawn without any points in Wyoming. Or if you want to go a little more crazy, do a Sitka blacktail hunt in Southeast Alaska. It's much more doable than people think, and you can mix in some fishing too. We've got a place up there you could stay at!

You don’t have quail on the list, Bobwhite in the South is King Bob if you can find a wild bird hunt

@Cody thanks dude. Pronghorn is actually on my radar. Alaska would be killer.

Hogs Brad! Can’t believe this is not a top pick!

@Brad same here, hunting the swamp lands for them would be a different experience too.

@Brad I have a friend who owns a charter company in south Florida. He normally gets a few gator tags each year. He is on FB at reefs to rivers charters. He also does iguana hunts if that’s something you are interested in

@Brad messaged you some details 👍🏻

@Garrett I don’t Facebook but that sounds fun!

@Brian I thought this was more of a 2024 activity. I need to train for that.

@Brad should make that an event at the Send It Slam.

Duck and turkey

Wyoming antelope. Very doable hunt with no points and a good introduction into western hunting. Get with me one day and I'll give you all the information you need.

@Brian I’ll talk to the team 😂

When you come for GAOS I might be able to set up a coon hunt if you and the team wanna go

@Ben Sheets
(Tree Talkin’ Media) that sounds really fun but we are running a tight schedule on that show. Will have to take a rain check on it unfortunately

I love squirrel hunting with dogs it’s different than still hunting

@Derek me and my buddies are trying to come up with a western hunt for next year. Pronghorn is something we have discussed. The problem is I really don’t know where to start. Any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

@Greg shoot me a message and I'll see what I can do.

Check out a sandhill cranes. Everything I’ve heard sounds like they are one of the tastiest things in the sky. Should be an easy hunt to put together or layer on top of another western hunt.

@Chris I’ve heard that too

@Brad another thought… South Texas Nilgai, exotic antelope species running wild down there.

@Chris I’ve been down there when the group killed one. They’re huge.