CO draw deadline coming up

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All deer tags in Colorado are draw only for all weapons. Regular rifle season elk tags are a mix of OTC and draw (you can hunt deer and elk in Regular rifle seasons with a muzzleloader). All muzzleloader specific seasons for big game are draw only.
 
Oh yeah, gotta go through this every year for deer, elk, and antelope:
- Read the unnecessarily complicated regulations to keep updated on the ridiculous changes that have been made (I am convinced that they have all been written by former IRS employees!)
- Study the detailed statistics to increase my chances of drawing and how to best manage my preference points
- Communicate with my hunting buddies, both instate and nonresidents, to make sure everyone is onboard
- Finally bite the bullet and get the apps in before the deadline
- Pray for favorable outcomes (Prov 16:33).
 
I will be putting in for an elk muzzleloader tag for Unit 61. I currently have 29 preference points. I should draw.

Yeah, that should work. Are you res or no res?
Oh yeah, gotta go through this every year for deer, elk, and antelope:
- Read the unnecessarily complicated regulations to keep updated on the ridiculous changes that have been made (I am convinced that they have all been written by former IRS employees!)
- Study the detailed statistics to increase my chances of drawing and how to best manage my preference points
- Communicate with my hunting buddies, both instate and nonresidents, to make sure everyone is onboard
- Finally bite the bullet and get the apps in before the deadline
- Pray for favorable outcomes (Prov 16:33).

Yes, the annual circus 🎪 😀
 
Yeah you should. And I’m sure you know what you’re getting into - but that is no 29 point hunt, IMO.
At the age of 61 with 29 preference points, I still can't draw for the northwest corner of Colorado. With the point creep each year I would probably be in my 70's or older by the time I drew for that area. I have spoken to several Colorado agents and outfitters to come to that conclusion. I refuse to spend $120 each year anymore just to buy a preference point.
When you say "that is no 29 point hunt".......What do you mean by that? What better area can I get for a ML hunt with my 29 points?
 
At the age of 61 with 29 preference points, I still can't draw for the northwest corner of Colorado. With the point creep each year I would probably be in my 70's or older by the time I drew for that area. I have spoken to several Colorado agents and outfitters to come to that conclusion. I refuse to spend $120 each year anymore just to buy a preference point.
When you say "that is no 29 point hunt".......What do you mean by that? What better area can I get for a ML hunt with my 29 points?
I completely understand - I’m in the mid 20s points as well. My point is just that many of the western deer/elk hunts that take 20-30 points are not worth that wait, IMO. They aren’t 2-3 times better (quality/experience) than a hunt that may take 10 points to draw, for example. It’s a really tough call to pull the trigger on a hunt after waiting that long and we all want to make the most of our investment. So, I’m just saying, know as much as you can about the hunt you’re applying for. Sounds like you’ve done some research.

And keep in mind that CO has been discussing a change in their point system…

Are you going guided or diy?
 
All sorts of things can go wrong with any draw plan for a colorado tag. Such as, a reduction in tag numbers. The number of tags to be issued isn't decided until after the draw deadline. It's done that way because its necessary to do the herd counts after the threat of winter kill is over. Also, announced changes in OTC vs draw units can create unanticipated shifts in applicant numbers for any given unit.

For non res applicants there is another hurdle. In unitĺs that require at least five points to draw the limits on non res tags is more strict. I think the limit is 20% of total tags.

This leaves only last year's draw statistics as a guide and in many cases, even most, the statistics are a good predictor of success.

Here's the stats for last year's draw for the muzzleloader bull hunt in unit 61. Notice the split between res an non res tags. This also exposes and explains why some applicants have every reason to expect to draw and are surprised when they don't. Notice that last year there were eight non res applicants with 26 points. Two of those eight drew. Every year the CPW publishes a draw points in an issue of Colorado Outdoors. They advise how many points it took to draw in each unit last year. For the unit 61 ml hunt illustrated here they would report that it took 26 points to draw. But to put a finer point on it, you COULD draw with 26 points last year but in reality it was a 25% chance (2 ÷ 8 = .25). However 27 points would have given the non res an 80% chance and 28 points was a 100% chance.

@Hatchet Jack has 29 points so if last year is a reliable predictor, he will be hunting unit 61 this year.
Screenshot_20230317-085503_Adobe Acrobat.jpg
 
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Yes, IF, permit numbers don’t change and the applicants with 29 or more points don’t significantly change their choices. Nothing is guaranteed as you say.
 
It is very costly in time and money! Many non res hunters are disappointed to find that the Colorado hunting experience is crowded compared to expectations. For ml hunters who want that high and lonesome experience, it's best to get in shape and get into the backcountry.
 
For ml hunters who want that high and lonesome experience, it's best to get in shape and get into the backcountry.
And even when you do that, you’ll be shocked at the number of other people that are there doing the same thing.

Colorado is probably the worst western state for crowding that I regularly hunt. They’re terrible for excessive tag numbers and overlapping seasons. For example, during a “once in a lifetime” muzzy elk hunt you’re likely to run into muzzy deer hunters, archery elk and deer hunters, bear hunters, guys scouting for upcoming hunts, small game hunters, and possibly moose/sheep/goat hunters. Not to mention trail runners, hikers, bikers, climbers and a million other non-consumptive folks.
 
I completely understand - I’m in the mid 20s points as well. My point is just that many of the western deer/elk hunts that take 20-30 points are not worth that wait, IMO. They aren’t 2-3 times better (quality/experience) than a hunt that may take 10 points to draw, for example. It’s a really tough call to pull the trigger on a hunt after waiting that long and we all want to make the most of our investment. So, I’m just saying, know as much as you can about the hunt you’re applying for. Sounds like you’ve done some research.

And keep in mind that CO has been discussing a change in their point system…

Are you going guided or diy?
A few years back when I thought I had a snow ball's chance in hell at drawing the Norhtwest corner, I had planned on a DIY hunt. Figured I would pay a trespass fee at some place like the Walker Ranch. I planned on going out a year in advance and do some scouting. Since deciding to cash in this year at a lesser unit I am 99.9% guaranteed to draw, I decided to go with an outfitter. Reason being. I don't have the motivation to go to Colorado and scout a new area. Especially an area I will only be able to hunt one time with lesser bulls than I was hoping for.. I don't plan to go back to Colorado after this hunt.
Honestly, I am not really all that excited about this hunt. Actually, I can't wait to get it over with so that I don't have to give the state of Colorado any more of my money. They force me to buy a small game license in order to apply for a preference point each year. Thirty years of collecting points and I can't even hunt the units I planned to hunt.
Wyoming and Idaho have always been my go to DIY elk hunting states. Although, even Wyoming is getting a little bit crazy too.
 
@ElDiablo yes, that describes it very well. It used to be that the weekend recreators pretty much disappeared after labor day but not so much anymore.

Too much about the money 💰 🤑
 

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