Private Land Tag Strategy for Elk

(I saw the private land for deer thread, but this is for elk. The Big Game book is so freaking confusing.)

I have the opportunity to hunt on 1000 acres of private land in GMU 501. This isn't a guided hunt or a"hunting ranch", it's just private land that someone is generously allowing me to hunt on.

This is what I see in the Big Game book for Rifle:
Unit 501 "Private Land Only" Sept. 1 - Jan. 31 Late Cow List "B"

This is freaking cool. 5 months to hunt.

Now, do I just put in for the draw for this just like a List A unit like I usually do?
Or since 501 is List B, should I draw for Muzzie in my normal public land unit (List A) and get the List B Rifle tag for 501 in person at the store?

The way I understand it, you must draw for one List A or List B tag. Since you can get one A and one B, I assume that you need to draw for the A tag then buy the B tag in person at the store. Am I on track here?

Just trying to increase my odds of getting a muzzie and rifle tag this year.

If you want to hunt a couple elk, put in your normal muzzleloader first choice. Then put in this 501 cow tag second choice.
Assuming you draw the muzzleloader tag, once the leftovers are available just buy the 501 cow tag online as well.
You don’t have to draw an A license to get a B license. You can have 2 licenses (A+B or B+B) and an unlimited number of C licenses.

I would look at the elk draw statistics for that code and make sure they went to leftover last year (highly likely). As long as they did follow the above advice. If not, I might just put in for a preference point first choice and on your second choice put the cow rifle tag in 501.

Well, with 5 months to hunt 501 on private land, if you get a tag I cannot see you ending up meatless.

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Originally Posted by CavSct1983

Well, with 5 months to hunt 501 on private land, if you get a tag I cannot see you ending up meatless.

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Especially if you hunt private land during the normal hunting season.

An acquaintance of mine has a bunch of land near Red Feather, in the heart of Units 7/8, and he won't allow anyone to hunt his land. However, I have been allowed to walk his land (he's good friends with one of the pastors at my church, who I hunt with), and during hunting season there is more game on his property than anywhere else in 7/8. The "dumb forest critters" are certainly smart enough to know where they are safest...

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Originally Posted by sniper7

If you want to hunt a couple elk, put in your normal muzzleloader first choice. Then put in this 501 cow tag second choice.
Assuming you draw the muzzleloader tag, once the leftovers are available just buy the 501 cow tag online as well.
You don’t have to draw an A license to get a B license. You can have 2 licenses (A+B or B+B) and an unlimited number of C licenses.

I would look at the elk draw statistics for that code and make sure they went to leftover last year (highly likely). As long as they did follow the above advice. If not, I might just put in for a preference point first choice and on your second choice put the cow rifle tag in 501.

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Yes try to find out whether there will be leftovers: look for undersubscribed codes/units/ and also the draw summary. You can call the division and they can tell you in years past how many licenses and how many applied.

The PLO license sounds better so I'd pick that as first choice.

Good stuff guys, thanks. I've never had the opportunity to go for 2 tags before. And having the chance to go muzzle loader AND rifle? Oh yeah.

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Originally Posted by GilpinGuy

Good stuff guys, thanks. I've never had the opportunity to go for 2 tags before. And having the chance to go muzzle loader AND rifle? Oh yeah.

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Two Licenses A+B or B+B

Ok, please help me understand these statistics. I have the glossary and think I got it, just want to be sure.

For my List B choice, it says:
Total Amount Quota: 30
Remaining balance: 0
Does this mean there were zero leftover tags?

For my List A choice:
Total Quota Amount: 50
Remaining balance: 13
So 13 leftover tags here?

Thanks for the help guys!

Just looked,

So for code EF501P5R which is private land only that runs sept 1-Jan 31.

Last year you had to put it down as first choice. 12 people drew it with 0 points out of the 12 people that applied with 0 points.

So if you want to get this tag (depending on how many people apply and how many tags they give out) you will need to put it down as first choice on your application.

Then get an over the counter either sex archery as your “A” list tag. Or an over the counter rifle or other “A” or “B” tag of your choosing that is leftover or over the counter.

Sniper, that's what I was thinking. You'd think it could be much more simple to show this information. For f's sake they need to publish a glossary to decifer it all..

Yeah it’s a lot to figure out. But for those willing to put in the time it pays off! All three of my freezers are full!