I drew the January tag the first year and it was EASY!!!!! My group has taken a number of elk (cow and Bull) out of the Winston. We have taken 2 with Hoof Rot. They seem to be in the swampy areas, so stay out of there and you should be good. There are allot of hunters out there and opening weekend pressure is INSANE, but park your rig and head out in to the deep dark woods and you should be fine.
I wouldn't worry about the gates being closed this year. Even if they are, you should bee able to get a Cow without having to go to far.
A buddy of mine drew the Muzzy cow tag and all he ran into were Bulls. Unfortunately, I heard that all the Bulls have been transplanted to the Blues due to the Federal Government Shutdown, so it would be better for Elk Hunters without Cow tags to head down there....
