I’m spoiled by private land hunts and I just can’t do the crowds. Elk out West? No thanks. Not again. Call me whatever names you like … half of them are probably accurate, but I don’t like sharing my woods with other people.
I never could get over that thought that I’m competing for the animal. Even if I do everything just right, some other guy can shoot it out from under you. I find I’m rushed and I make bad decisions.
It kind of ruins the experience for me.
I used to hunt Ducks on Texoma on public land, just north of Haggerman, but that was late 80’s. Not much competition. I don’t know what it’s like now though.
Draw hunts are a better option. I do put in for a dozen or so drawn hunts every year. Limited competition, better odds.