KY Elk hunt ?

[BaldingEagle]

I am going to apply for the 2015 Kentucky Elk Hunt.  I am out of state and know very little about Kentucky's hunting lands.  Do any of you have suggestions for me?
example: What section should I apply for?  Bull vs. Cow tag; Is there much public access to good elk areas?

Any info/help is welcome.  
John

[threeunder]

John,
Good luck.  It is a tough tag to draw.  The last few years, you've been able to apply for 2 tags. I always put in for cow archery and bull rifle.

There is some public land, but most of it will be gaining permission and paying tresspass fees.

As far as success rates for just drawing the tags, KY has a law which says no more than 10% of the tags can go to non-residents.  That does not, however, mean that 10% are reserved for non-residents.  Names (both residents and non-residents) are drawn and after non-resident numbers hit the 10% mark, then only residents are drawn afterwards.  So, theoretically, they can have the drawing and zero non-residents get picked.

I've been applying (non-resident) since they first started having drawings (There were 7 bull tags available that year if I remember correctly...LOL).  I've not been drawn yet.  No preference point system.  Would like to see them change that.

Would be one heck of a hunt.

Ken

[Biathlonman]

They give you plenty of time to sort out zones if you pull a tag.  They have a habit of changing them every year or so, so I wouldn't spend a lot of time studying it. I hunted Public land two years ago and saw a lot of elk.

[Medicare Bhtr]

Check out the new changes in elk regulations for 2015 at fw.ky.gov

[BaldingEagle]

Thank you all.  I  will be following your advise.  I did get in contact with a KY DNR officer and he agreed with the advise given here. Any more info will be gladly taken.  I know that being drawn is unlikely, but I want to be as ready as possible if I do.  
John

[randy grider]

Best odds are for archery cow, than archery bull. Im a KY resident and have applied every year since it started, and have yet to be drawn, but the odds get better every year. Good luck !

[SportHunter]

0/2 for me, will try again this year.

[md126]

In my opinion you're better off directing your efforts out west. Impossible to draw in KY and expensive if you do. Just my opinion

[Bowwild]

The first hunt was in 2001 and there were 6 tags.  I've been applying since I retired in 2007. Will do so again this year.  Success rate is very high. I apply for both archery cow and archery bull.

This herd at well over 10,000 animals is larger than all elk herds combined in the Eastern U.S.

A point system was rejected in 2001 for good reason.  Had a points system been put in place that year then only those who put in the first year would be drawn for many years.  A partial point system where say 50% or so of the tags go to point holders and 50% go to any applicant would be ok.

[Biathlonman]

Myself and another member drew in 2013 for cow archery. Met in the field by accident and hunted together a bit. Saw plenty of elk and experienced more then a little bad luck. Knowing what I know now I'm pretty confident I could be successful if I ever draw another tag.  Hunting with a rifle, compound or cross gun would have been easy.