HuntingNet.com Forums

HuntingNet.com Forums (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/)
-   Big Game Hunting (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/big-game-hunting-6/)
-   -   Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/big-game-hunting/248926-colorado-elk-deer-pref-pts.html)

bigcountry 06-10-2008 11:24 AM

Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
Ok, I got drew for a cow elk (2nd Choice). I am waiting until my buddies get their results and for deer results. How does the preference points thing work? If I have to ask for a refund, do I keep my pref pt? If I go out this Sept. for cow elk with ML, do I still have 1 pref point?

Anybody know?



Redclub 06-10-2008 12:07 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
Yep you get to keep your preference point on a second choice, I drew a bull ML tag took 2 preference points
Redclub

bigbulls 06-10-2008 12:15 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
From Colorados division of wildlife's web site.

A primary tool used in the management of Colorado’s big game animals is a limit or quota on the number of licenses issued in most game management units (GMUs). When applying for a limited license, a preference point in awarded when an individual is unsuccessful in drawing their first-choice hunt code. Preference points provide a mathematical advantage when applied to future drawings.

If you hunt with your cow tag you still keep your preference point.

If you ask for a refund for your cow tagit must be done before your season starts. You still keep your preference point.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/75A4E687-F7B3-496F-BF49-4D60AC7F37CE/0/DOWLicRefund.pdf

salukipv1 06-10-2008 03:06 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
Since you drew your 2nd choice, you gain a preference point and keep all that you had....

pts only go towards 1st choice in colorado....since everyones 1st choice is considered before anyones 2nd choice.

If you ask for a refund however....I believe you will lose this years pref pts.....think you should call on that one, go for cow elk regardless and keep your pts.....

Tigerfan 06-11-2008 05:34 AM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
I found out that a person in our party got a cow tag as well. We should know Thursday who all got deer tags. This is my first year to go but, the party I am going with have been going every year for 20 years. i hope I get a deer tag. I want a Muley worse than an Elk.

Call me crazy!!!

bigcountry 06-11-2008 04:16 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
Well, thanks guys. This is the most complicated system I have ever seen. Hopefully, the other guys will draw deer or something.

salukipv1 06-11-2008 04:41 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
They're all complicated....and all different....which is fun when you apply to 10 states....

skb2706 06-12-2008 08:52 AM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
It is complicated but if you know how to work it (believe me it can be worked) you will draw pretty much every year.

I am 5 out of six this year and I was five out of six last year.

bigcountry 06-12-2008 04:52 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
Well, this sucks, my buddy who was going out with me didn't get drawn on anything. I don't know what I am doing out there. My cow elk draw is statewide. So not sure if I am going or not.

skb2706 06-13-2008 10:40 AM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
Plenty of great places to use a state wide cow license, if you decide to use it. Your buddy can probably get either a left over cow license or an over the counter cow license...I would certainly look before I gave up on it.

bigbulls 06-13-2008 11:04 AM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
Unless you are hunting in a draw only unit your buddy can just buy an OTC elk (eiteher sex)tag for archery if he bow hunts. Archery and ML season run together in Colorado.

salukipv1 06-13-2008 04:43 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
When's the best rifle mule deer season in colorado? Don't they have 3 or 4 periods? Do any of these coincide with the rut?

I've got 3pts now.....considering a archery hunt next fall, as I believe I can draw a great area with for bow mule deer, not sure how many it takes for a great unit for rifle and the best season....thought it could take 8-12pts for the best season for the best units....which is why I'm thinking archery may be the way to do it sooner.

Archery and ML run together? or overlap? Is there a bow only period? or is it always bow/ML at the same time?

txhunter58 06-14-2008 03:35 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
As far as the best season, it is the one where the big-un steps out in front of you! That can change yearly and is much dependent on weather. The rut on mule deer is aprox. mid November till the first part of December. The 4th season is considered a "rut" hunt, and they only give a handful of tags, which is why it is the hardest to draw.

Yes, archery and muzzy seasons overlap. Here are the seasons so you can answer your own questions: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/...tesAndFees.htm

I think most people would say the earlier the better where archery deer is concerned.

bigcountry 06-15-2008 06:17 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 

ORIGINAL: bigbulls

Unless you are hunting in a draw only unit your buddy can just buy an OTC elk (eiteher sex)tag for archery if he bow hunts. Archery and ML season run together in Colorado.
I know, can't get him to go out there. Really don't want to make the trip myself. Wanted someone to help on gas, and just ahve a good time with a bunch of guys. Still thinking about hooking up with an outfitter to take me back and ahve the tent setup and all. I did that one year moose hunting, and it turned out to be a nightmare with a bunch of drunks from Ithica.

oldelkhunter 06-16-2008 07:52 AM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 

When's the best rifle mule deer season in colorado? Don't they have 3 or 4 periods? Do any of these coincide with the rut?

You have quite a few years more to draw before you can hunt the last season . I took my biggest and first mule deer with an OTC tag in 1995. Afterr I shot him I almost stepped on a 30+ mule deer that made him look like a midget about 1/2 mile away while hunting Elk. The person I was hunting with who is a Colorado resident told me that during the rut you would be seeing much more of the same. I don't know if my heart could take that. No I am not giving out the unit number. I have about 4 more years before I can draw there :D

bigcountry 06-16-2008 03:51 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 

ORIGINAL: oldelkhunter


When's the best rifle mule deer season in colorado? Don't they have 3 or 4 periods? Do any of these coincide with the rut?

You have quite a few years more to draw before you can hunt the last season . I took my biggest and first mule deer with an OTC tag in 1995. Afterr I shot him I almost stepped on a 30+ mule deer that made him look like a midget about 1/2 mile away while hunting Elk. The person I was hunting with who is a Colorado resident told me that during the rut you would be seeing much more of the same. I don't know if my heart could take that. No I am not giving out the unit number. I have about 4 more years before I can draw there :D
Oldelk, when a section or GMU has a high required pref point (like some requires 10 or more), does that mean its good, overhunted and needs a break, or could be both and just depends?

Dalebow 06-16-2008 04:08 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
if you ask for refund you dont give up your pref point, they take out a fee and you get the rest back, it is on the paperwork when you apply

bigbulls 06-16-2008 04:42 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 

Oldelk, when a section or GMU has a high required pref point (like some requires 10 or more), does that mean its good, overhunted and needs a break, or could be both and just depends?
That means that it is managed specifically for trophy class elk. The more points needed the higher it is on everyones "gotta hunt there" list. This is the reason the are called "preference" points. ;)

Basically the number of applicants is at least 10 times the number of licenses available each year.

If an area was hit hard with something like CWD a particular unit may suddenly become draw only to keep the heard numbers as steady as possible. Butit's not likely that many people will be applying to hunt that area,it is pretty much trophy bulls in draw onlyunits.

salukipv1 06-16-2008 05:19 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
I'm thinking a archery mule deer hunt is probably closer in my future than that 3rd/4th season for rifle mule deer.

Looks like some of those 4th seasons may take 12pts when you can hunt them with 2pts archery....

but earlier archery better than later? I guess they haven't been hunted....but thats sound hotter warmer weather....wouldn't want to hunt them after ML, but that week before I'm thinking....

Also will all mule deer during the archery season be in velvet? 50/50? Can you just peel the velvet off?



bigbulls 06-16-2008 05:52 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 

Also will all mule deer during the archery season be in velvet? 50/50? Can you just peel the velvet off?
Yes, probably 90% or better mulies will be in velvet until mid-late archery season.

SILVERTIP-CO 06-17-2008 06:36 AM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
For elk we always do OTC bull, those tags are great. We didnt draw for 3rd rifle unit 55 mulies, but we did get three points each, otto help next yr. Leftover we put in for 3rd rifle 38-34-444-104 as our 4 choices. We'll see how all that shakes out. Looks like mulies are gonna get inthe way of our elk hunting some. We tried to choose leftovers near unit 55 but its pretty hard to do when the close ones were priv land and I hate knockin on rancher's doors( 'cept for antelope ).

Anyway good luck to all our forum friends here on their draws.

bigcountry 06-17-2008 08:56 AM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 

ORIGINAL: SILVERTIP-CO

For elk we always do OTC bull, those tags are great. We didnt draw for 3rd rifle unit 55 mulies, but we did get three points each, otto help next yr. Leftover we put in for 3rd rifle 38-34-444-104 as our 4 choices. We'll see how all that shakes out. Looks like mulies are gonna get inthe way of our elk hunting some. We tried to choose leftovers near unit 55 but its pretty hard to do when the close ones were priv land and I hate knockin on rancher's doors( 'cept for antelope ).

Anyway good luck to all our forum friends here on their draws.
Silver, you need a muzzleloading partner this year?:D

slim23 07-08-2008 04:59 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
I put in as a nonresident with 2 pref points for a general muzzle elk tag this year thinkin that i would for sure get drawn. was sure supprised when i didnt. got a mulie tag though. guess its a high country deer hunt in 421! how many points does it generaly take a non res to get a muzzle elk tag?

txhunter58 07-09-2008 05:44 AM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
Not all that long ago, it required 1 point for a nonresident. When they went to the 65 / 35% split, it started taking 2 points. Now it requires 3 points to guarantee a tag. This year there were around 1500 nonresident with 2 points and aprox 450 of those got tags.

Another way to look at it. It takes a minimum of 4 years for a nonresident to guarantee a general bull muzzy tag.

Redclub 07-09-2008 03:15 PM

RE: Colorado Elk/Deer Pref Pts
 
This year they also decreased the no. of ML bull tags,severe winter. Its getting hard to draw a tag, I got a bull tag with 2 points but next time I figure it will be at least 4 and that takes 5 years as you start out at zero, Its nice when you can draw a cow tag with your second choice. Its amazing you can hunt the first rifle season for bull elk with zero points (where we go) and probably less hunters (according to Co. website). Co. allows 5% 0f the take for ML's. There are getting to be a lot of ML hunters, think how long it would take if they allowed scopes etc.

Redclub


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:09 PM.


Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.