"And more of the do-it-yourself hunters target bulls in the National Forest outside the wilderness."

In 2007, Oregon offered two permit hunts for the Wenaha Unit that allowed the harvest of branch-antlered bulls. Twenty tags were allocated to modern weapons hunters, and an additional 21 tags were issued to bow hunters. Chances of being drawn for either hunt hovered around the 1 percent mark.

Both states offer "preference" points for unsuccessful applicants in these drawings. While differing in detail, the two plans basically award unsuccessful applicants 1 point for each year they participate in the drawing. These points accumulate and increase a hunter's chances of being selected the following year.

"The average wait to draw a branch-antlered bull elk permit in the Wenaha Unit is about 12 to 13 years," explains Vic Coggins.

"These fellows are the selective hunters, willing to wait a long time for a chance at a really big bull."

But, said Coggins, a surprising number of them, once they are drawn, will pass on bull after bull, waiting to get the best possible animal, and end up not filling the tag after waiting years to draw it.

Washington hunters can expect a wait of at least 10 years before drawing a tag for either GMU 169 or Elk Area 1014.

Hunters who aren't interested in investing a decade or more for a chance at one of these bruiser bulls may purchase an Access and Habitat elk tag or Governor's elk tag.

These permits are auctioned at events put on by conservation groups, such as the Oregon Hunters Association or Safari Club International. Usually divided into Eastside or Westside tags, or Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk, the permits entitle the purchaser to hunt elk anywhere in the state it's legal to do so.

Hunters receive an extended season stretching from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 in Oregon, and until Dec. 31 in Washington, and may choose their style of weapon. They may hunt until they harvest one animal.

An abundance of trophy bulls often leads these tag holders to the Blue Mountains. During the past five years, Wick has guided 15 hunters holding Access and Habitat or Governor's tags in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.

Proceeds from auction-tag sales go to the state's wildlife department to enhance elk populations or increase hunter access across the state.

In 2007, Oregon offered four elk auction tags, while Washington offered one elk auction tag for each side of the state.

The auction price of these tags has risen sharply in the past several years, and they now routinely bring $25,000 or more. This past February, Washington State's 2007 Eastside Governor's elk tag sold for $47,000 at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's annual Elk Camp in Reno.

Hunters not having an extra $25,000 handy to spend can purchase tickets for special raffle drawings for trophy elk tags. Oregon awarded four elk raffle tags this year, while Washington provided both an Eastside and a Westside elk raffle tag.

Raffle-tag winners hunt under the same rules as auction-tag purchasers.

Raffle tickets cost a few dollars each and are available from the state's wildlife department.

Find more about hunting and fishing in Washington and Oregon at WOgameandfish.com