Powerful features that allow you to refine your search for the perfect elk hunt that meets your specific criteria. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, here's how to find an elk hunt
A quick look at how to access the research filters and an example showing how you can adjust filters any way that suits your needs.
It's officially the prime time for hunting research and planning. With the recent updates to our Research/Filtering tool in the mobile app, we’ve made it even easier to narrow down your options and find the perfect hunt. Whether you're looking for a new elk hunting spot or planning your next big adventure, this is the perfect time to dive into the details.
In this article, we'll cover the basics of how to use these powerful new features to refine your search, from applying filters based on hunt units and species to analyzing draw odds, season dates, and more. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, our tools are designed to help you make smarter decisions and maximize your time in the field.
One of the biggest changes you'll notice with our updated Filtering flow on the mobile app is that, instead of selecting a single state first, you’ll now start by choosing a species.
After that, you can select all the states you're interested in. This shift is based on the idea that most hunters tend to choose a species first, then narrow down to a state, rather than the other way around.
For experienced hunters, this new process makes it easier to quickly focus on single-state or multiple-state research for the same species at once. Meanwhile, newer hunters or those looking for more options will benefit from being able to view multiple states at once to see which hunts align best with their schedules and preferences.
This change might take a bit of getting used to for our long-time users who are familiar with the old platform, but after testing the new flow for a few months, I can confidently say it’s a game-changer. It’s streamlined, intuitive, and designed to make your research process faster and more efficient.
After selecting your species, the next screen will take you to the weapon selection. Here, you can tell the app if you are only interested in a specific weapon type or, if you are open to all options, you can choose the “I’m Flexible” option. Selecting this will return results for all available weapon types. As a general rule of thumb, archery hunts typically have the best odds of drawing, while muzzleloader and rifle hunts typically have the worst; however, things can vary.
The state selection section is where you will select any and all states you are potentially interested in. This may be a single-state selection, or can be as many as you want. There are many differences in the types of hunts and tags offered for each state, and having the ability to look at as many — or as few — as you want in a single screen is powerful!
Getting to know the details of different states takes time and research — there’s no way around it. However, our new species-first approach with Filtering makes diving in much less overwhelming for users who aren’t as familiar with the process. Plus, with in-depth application strategies and additional resources available to all Insider Members, selecting the right state has never been easier!
The real excitement starts during your hunting research when you reach the filters section. Here, you can customize the parameters to suit your preferences, guiding the filter to find exactly the type of hunt you're looking for. This is the most effective way to uncover new opportunities anywhere.
The public land filter lets you set minimum or maximum percentages of public land in a given area. While there are factors to consider based on each state and species, in general, the more public land a unit contains, the better the access is likely to be.
The trophy potential slider allows hunters to set their expectations for the size of the animal they're targeting. Since this is a personal preference, its use can vary significantly from one hunter to another. Ultimately, it reflects each hunter's individual goals for the hunt. The data behind this slider comes from state reports, record book entries, local insights, and more.
These sliders are simple to use, enabling hunters to filter results based on overall harvest success or the number of animals harvested in a given unit or season. It’s important to note, however, that some states report hunter success as a percentage while others provide a total number of animals harvested. When researching multiple states, it's crucial to consider both types of data.
The calendar section lets hunters filter results based on specific timeframes that align with their availability. For example, selecting the month of September will return only hunts that take place during that time.
The draw odds section lets users filter hunts based on specific draw odds criteria, helping them exclude hunts that aren't of interest. For example, a hunter with higher points might choose to filter out lower-point hunts they’re not interested in, while a lower-point applicant might remove hunts with low draw odds (as they take higher points) that are unlikely to be successful. This tool is incredibly useful for quickly identifying hunts that are more or less likely to be within reach.
The new Draw Odds Exclusion filter within the draw odds section is a highly anticipated feature we’re excited to roll out. This tool allows users to exclude low point options that aren't relevant to their hunt. For example, by setting the filter to 0-7 points and 1-100% odds, it will remove all seasons with draw odds between 1-100% at the 0-5 point level.
And you could do the exact opposite with this filter as well and tell the system to stop showing you high point level hunts that you can't draw
Finally, the state settings section is where users input their residency and the number of points they have for each species in a given state. This information helps Filtering determine which data points to display on the filtering screen. It is also used in the draw odds slider to refine results based on the user's specific point status.
In addition to the amazing features already available in Insider, we’ve got some exciting new tools on the way that will make finding your next elk hunt even easier. We’ll be introducing a new function to help streamline the process of selecting filters — especially useful for new hunters. Plus, we’ll have an "OTC Tag" filter to highlight true over-the-counter tag options, which I’m particularly excited about!
Along with Filtering, hunters will have access to a range of valuable supplemental resources to enhance their research. Our State Profiles are an excellent starting point, offering a comprehensive overview of each state’s specifics, draw system, important dates, tag costs, hunting rules, and more. Additionally, we provide in-depth Application Strategy articles for all Insider members. These articles break down the details of each state’s draw system and offer valuable insights into important changes happening each year.
