I don't feel that old but in the 20 years I have been hunting it has gone from
1. No requirement to choose a specific weapon - you could hunt archery, modern or muzzle loader seasons with a standard tag.
2. east or west side for elk, mostly any bull.
3. Most units any elk for archery / Any deer.
4. Longer seasons and archery was open during the elk rutting period.
5. Any buck for muleys and a season that went longer.

and more animals everywhere I went.

Now they are slowly opening it back up, but allowing only one or two tags for what we used to have over the counter. I have freinds that waited 10 years to hunt a unit they used to hunt as kids. they took two weeks off and never even saw a cow. some units that were open for any bull are now looking like a one in a lifetime draw. It is pretty sad that you pay the same in applications fees and wait 10 years for a tag that you could get as a non-resident over the counter in many of our nearby states.