OK - you're askin a lot of a nu be poster here (I still don't see the paper clip thingy to allow precise placement). Here is what I read the regs to say (with illustrations hopefully). Basically no units have over-the-counter tags for anything elk-wise 1st season, to my knowledge, you must draw for anything (not nearly as many hunters in the woods). This also wasn't always a bad season when they had it a week earlier, since sometimes in years with a late rut, you'd still catch bulls bugling during 1st rifle, but they moved it back a week or so, and that is now very unlikely. Downside, is you may often get hot/dry weather. Upside, you don't freeze and fewer hunters. Back to the regs: The good news is, the three units you mention all offer OTC bull tags for second season (first illustration). If you have your hunter ed cert., you should be able to hunt any of these units for a bull 2nd season, just by going to Wally World or elsewhere to buy it before the season starts. Also, they seemed to all be 4-point (min) units (not shown here) meaning bulls have to have at least 4 points on one side (no East-coast, whitetail, mumbo jumbo, multiplication stuff), or a 5 inch brow tine. Yes, this is why I bought an even better scope. Nothing worse than having bull elk in range, in timber and shadows, near sunset, trying to figure if that's 3 or 4 points - you'd quickly loose those extra Benjamins for a bit more light and resolution.
The next two pics show the "draw stuff" for 24 and 75/751. All three have either sex tags for first season, but you would have had to apply months ago for these. Unit 24 also has cow tags for 1st and 2nd season. You still have to draw these - again, I've never heard of an over-the-counter cow tag - they don't exist to my knowlege. You have to draw them. However, the little asterik by "cow" means they were undersubscribed or they had more cow tags for that unit and season last year than people applied for. These "leftover" tags are then made available early August or so (check). They are typically first come/first serve I believe - meaning even if you missed the Spring Draw, you can likely still get one of these tags if you watch their website about when they're available and try to get one soon thereafter. The other good news (and complication to learn) is that there are A, B and (now) C tags I think. You can only have one A tag for a species for a year, but you can also get another tag if it is a B or C. On Unit 24 (pay attention, quiz at the end
)the far right column lists those cow tags as "B" tags. More good news. That means if you get your 2nd season bull tag OTC (which is an "A" tag), you could also hunt for a cow with one of these B tags (legally hunt/shoot two elk). You could even get both for 2nd season if you wanted (I think) but no point, if you'll be here both seasons anyway, may as well get one for each season. So - snag a leftover cow tag for first season here in a few weeks, and then buy a bull tag for 2nd (if you choose unit 24).
Unit 75/751 - they also offer cow tags for 2nd season (via the draw). Asterik means they also had some extras last year, and likely(?) will again. Bad news, this is an "A" tag - meaning Dave no hunt both bull and cow in this unit. If you haven't already applied, you basically have to either buy a bull tag for 2nd or try to get a leftover cow tag for 2nd - not both. (or hunt a b-tag cow in unit 24 first season, and then drive downt o 75/751 for 2nd). Legal disclaimer: don't quote me.
Hmmm, the regs: either a complex method to finely manage the state's wildlife resources, or a test to initimidate hunters and test their resolve...
I'm not sure picking unit by draw success is as important as by hunt success (they have those numbers too). Besides, when tags are OTC, there is no draw - I guess you mean the cow part. It is true, away from the road is good. Don't worry, there are a LOT of elk here too. Off the road, sometimes just means 1/2 mi over a steep ridge. Also, opening day can sometimes look like the D-Day invasion in some places, but believe it or not, 50% of the hunter are often gone by the 4th day, and half of them never really got into the woods much anyway. It's still not easy, but more because of finding those nomadic elk (general elevation they are at, and in what drainages - which can change daily). They also often don't just move a ridge over, they pack-up and change zip codes.
