Is OTC rifle hunting really that bad in Colorado

I am looking into my first hunt this year and since I didn’t get a draw tag this year my only option is to do OTC. I’ve seen so many posts on here on how overcrowded and over pressured some units are.

My question is, for a first time elk hunter (very avid whitetail hunter) is really bad enough to avoid those “crowded” units? This year my only goal is to harvest my tag. If a cow presents itself, I will take a cow. I’m not trophy hunting.

My next question is how has anyone’s experience been in more heavily wooded units? Heavily wooded areas is where I’m familiar with hunting whitetails and those short shots weaving through and around brush is what I’m proficient in. Are the more wooded and little less crowded units any “better” or more preferable to any of you? I understand significantly less ground is going to be covered in these units.

All advice and tips are helpful