HOW TO DRAW TAGS
"Idaho, Utah, and Oregon have tags you can get every year. Idaho is a quota system but they usually don't sell out. Other states as well have over-the-counter tags. Also, there are a lot of drawing states that are not that hard to draw. Go to wildlife agency websites. A lot of states don't send out regulations since most hunters have Internet access. Subscribe to an information agency. Garth Carter hunter services is a prime example (www.huntinfool.com). More than anything, he reminds me when to put in for a hunt.

"If you want to hunt elk often, don't put in for the top hunts. Even with bonus points, because you probably won't draw. There are lots of good hunts out there with good drawing odds. Some units have draw odds up to 90-percent where the best hunts are less than five-percent. Probably about three quarter of the bulls I shot were on over-the-counter licenses. I have been putting in for a long time and finally have drawn a couple of primo tags."

TACTICS THROUGH THE SEASONS
"How you hunt depends on the time of the year and the stage of the rut. I consider anything before September 5 to be early season. Bulls aren't bugling actively. I like to glass and do a lot of it. One of the best authorities is Randy Ulmer. Before I knew him, I read his articles. He has some great ideas on that subject. Also, buy the best optics you can afford; they get better with price. About three brands are tops and any one of them is good.

"I glass early and late and explore the country in the middle of the day to check out water. But, during prime time, I try to be glassing areas you can see. If visibility is limited, sit on water holes. Elk will still be drinking and starting to wallow.

"Bugling activity picks up around the end of the first week of September, increases through the third week and peaks around September 20 to 22. After that, bugling tapers off late into the month. In late season, my ideal tactic is to hear a bull bugle and then sneak in on him without making a sound. The really big bulls are almost un-callable and the more you sneak, the better the chances for a really trophy bull.

"Finally, after the peak of the rut, the bulls are still following the herd, but won't want to leave the cows. It's tough to call them away so I try to get ahead of them. This can take a lot of time and can cause scent problems because herds often move into the wind. Sometimes, you can get a bull to go a little out of his way and into range with cow calls."

Dan Evans has a passion for elk hunting and embraces each day afield. His quest for and success with giant antlers is an indication of the great potential the west has to offer. Embrace his techniques and you can afford a fantastic hunting and camping adventure each fall.

Editor's Note: Dan Evans operates Trophy Taker, maker of archery rests and sights. For more information about him, check his website at www.trophytaker.com.