Must have never hunted Colorado OTC if you think archery dosen't pressure elk. Seen elk pile up just like described above in Colorado and it wasn't from the 3 wolves in the state.
When you've got a bag of diapers and breast milk on your shoulder and a fanny pack of binkkis and teething rings on your waist anything that helps establish even a semblance of manlyness is appreciated.
Ours always runs from April 16th- May 16th so our opener runs the gambit. We have a youth season as well that always opens the weekend before regular opener to let the kids get first crack.