a little help with Colorado preference point system
 

can someone explain the preference point system to me please? from what i understand, to be guaranteed first week in the draw you need 1 preference point. for a non resident, you pay they entire fee of $586 plus $40 bucks for the preference point the year before, then you get the licence cost of $586 back because your just applying for the point.

am i missing anything with this?

Are you just trying to buy a point, or win a draw?

i want to win the draw for 2017 for the first week, but as a party with 7 other hunters.

Ok, not enough details in your post. I recommend that you call a hunt planner at the DOW office.

Here's the main number. Just ask for a hunt planner. They get paid to help you with all your questions.

303 297-1192

What are you missing? A Lot!

Calling them is a good idea but I will give you a short rundown. Here is a good link to give you the places to call or click on: http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/PlanYourHunt.aspx

First there are no guaranteed tags. Each year it depends on how many tags are issued and how many people applied. If there is a bad winter between now and 2017, they could lower the tags they issue. Or more people could apply for that particular season. Because of that if it currently takes 1 point for a tag, and you are going in 2017, you can have 2 points by then, so I would apply in 2015 and 2016 to help make sure you get drawn.

Second: points are issued by species, so you have to put in for the specific species (elk point) and put up the full tag amount, even if only applying for a point. That said, if you apply for an elk point, they allow you to just send in the amount it costs for a cow tag. Looking at your price numbers, you are talking elk. So currently you would send them $454 total (not that plus $40) and they would refund you that minus $43 after 2 & 1/2 to 3 months months. The $3 is the application fee.

Lastly, the GROUP goes in the drawing using the preference point of the lowest member in the group. So everyone has to have enough points to draw. Example. 6 guys have 2 points, but 1 guy has only 1 point, your group would go in as if EVERYONE has only 1 point (there is no point averaging).

Applications generally open around March 1st and close shortly after April 1st.

thank you. sorry i didn't specify species , i was on my phone.

so you pay the cow elk price when applying for the point, even if you apply for the bull tag later on? the preference point isnt linked to either cow or bull?
the group points was semi explained to me so i do believe we are all applying for 2 points the next 2 years just to be safe.

thanks for the explanations

I've just been building points for elk. I haven't kept up with the laws. Has anyone ever used a hunt planner that works for DOW?

I looked it up after the post above. Not what i thought it was but, it does look helpful.

Preference points for CO are by species, not by the sex of the animal of the species. So, elk points can be used for either bull or cow. The number required in many units may be very different though. For instance if you want to hunt a bull in unit 2 it will take you at least 22 non-resident preference points but you can hunt a cow in unit 2 with 1 or 2 preference points.

we will be hunting in unit 55 which is gunnison national forest i believe.

What season are you hunting? Weapon?

I live next to 55, and can help if you'd just give us all the details.

this is a group of 8 including myself going first week of rifle season in 2017 for bull elk. i believe its the second week of October but im not sure of the first week that year. im not the one planning this, im just trying to dig up information so i know whats going on. the guy who has been doing all the planning isn't very good with his communication and tends to not tell us what going on until the last minute.

You all have no points? Anybody willing to hunt for a cow?

You do realize if you could wait another week you can get an OTC bull tag?

we have no points. like i said, im not planning this , i was just invited to go along. i know nothing about Colorado hunting at all and have never been out west. just trying to arm myself with information because im usually last in the group to be told whats going on. i have no idea if anyone wants to hunt a cow, just a guess im going to say no , but again its just a guess

Ok, here's the deal. You have about an 80% chance of drawing a bull tag in 55 for 1st rifle season.

That means that they offered 280 tags last year, and 342 hunters applied for them. That's 62 hunters that failed. I never put in for any draw with those lousy odds. You may get lucky.

You'll have to pay the price for a bull tag to apply for this. If you fail you get a point to use for the following year, and most of your money back.

To compare you would have a 100% chance to get a cow tag in the draw, and only pay for a cow tag when you apply.

The 1st rifle hunt is only 5 days long. If you put in for it as a group. You'll also fail in the draw as a group. Nobody hunts.

This is what I would suggest to you guys. Put in for the bull tag in 1st rifle as a group. If you fail buy an OTC bull tag for 2nd rifle season. That way you all get a point, and you all get to hunt for a bull for 2nd season.

The 2nd season is a 9 day hunt.

thank you. now, we have 2 years to build up points. if each of us get 2 points over the next 2 years , will that work for definite draw? ( baring any major changes to how many tags they give out)

Yes, your odds then will be a 100% chance of getting the tags.

thank you for all of your help. :happy0001:

Glad to help, and I would have liked to do it sooner, but I wasn't sure exactly what you were trying to do.

You're on the right track now. Make sure the group gets the points bought before April each year.

that's what we plan on doing. now again i asked this before, but it doesn't matter which tag your buying, either bull or cow when sending in for just a point correct? only time it matters is when your actually sending in for the tag that year?

To be honest. I don't know. In 60 years of elk hunting Colorado i've never bought a point. I always put in for the draw.

I'd suggest you call the number I posted in this thread. They'll have the answer, and are glad to help.

also, is there an advantage to the first week of rifle over the other weeks as far as a hunting perspective?

thank you i will

The 1st rifle season can catch the end of the rut, and they'll be less hunters. So, it's a better season to hunt. However, as I mentioned it's only a 5 day hunt compared to the other rifle seasons that are 9 days.

Less hunters is relative though. You picked a very popular unit, and it's crowded for all seasons. It's also a fairly tough unit to hunt terrain wise. You'll be climbing some high altitudes to get away from the other hunters.

In CO, PPs are bought each year for the species and you can use them for whatever you want to (cow or bull) when the time comes to apply for an actual tag unless they have changed things.

i imagine thats where the elk are though. i will be working on getting used to the elevation way before going.

Get in the best shape you can. It will make the hunt much more enjoyable.

Make sure everybody does the same thing. One guy out of shape can drag down the whole group.

i know. im the youngest in the group at 31 and ( not trying to toot my horn) but in the best shape. everyone else is in their 50s and in ok shape. one guy isn't and im pretty nervous about him. trying to get them together to jog is like pulling teeth

Nothing you'll do will get you used to the altitude out there. Go out at least a couple days early to get used to it and it will help. Also, read up on altitude sickness and it's warning signs so you'll know what is happening before it's too late and can get out of Dodge quickly if it hits.

from what i understand its altitude sickness is major dehydration correct?

You'll get dehydrated faster at high altitude, but even drinking a lot will not help you adjust to high altitude. It will just be worse if you don't drink a lot.

It's the lack of oxygen that your body needs to adjust to. I live at 8000ft, and every spring when I go back up to 11,000ft I need time to adjust to it.

You'll never be as strong, or have as much energy at high altitude as you will at lower altitude no matter how much you adjust to it. So, it's important to be in the best shape you can. Just being in ok shape at low altitude won't work. You'll be laying camp while everybody else is out hunting.

Yep! I can go all day out in Wyoming at about 6500'-7000' where we hunt with not even a day of acclamation. This year I went right out and tried to do some scouting for a guy at a little over 9200' and it whipped my butt real quick and I was sitting down every 100 yards. I went about 1 1/2 miles and went back to the truck and went down low! I couldn't believe how different that 2500' difference in elevation was. Oh, incidentally I'm 67 and in dang good shape for my age, but even at 31 you'll quickly find out what we're saying!

oh im not taking this lightly. i live at sea level. so im very nervous. i dont want to be the guy out of shape stuck back at camp. i wont be doing that.

There are several good reasons to hunt the first rifle even though it is only 5 days

1) Limited numbers of elk hunters (no OTC licenses) AND no deer hunters. This is an elk only season.

2) As stated, you usually catch the tail end of the rut, which is always a good thing.

3) You will start the hunt after the longest non hunting period since archery season opens. Generally, there is about 2-3 weeks between the close of archery season and the first rifle season Gives elk time to relax and get back in their regular habits. Compared to hunting in the second season (OTC) where the elk only get 2 days after the first season until the second season starts.

4) Success rates are generally higher in the first vs the second season. In the last 2 years, the first season was 20 and 24%, while the second season was 16 and 11%

With 80% odds of drawing with 0 point, things would have to really change for you not be drawn with 1 point. Good luck

I don't really follow CO much, so I have to ask if the first season is as you say, why is it so easy to get a tag?

You will be fine with the altitude if you plan well. Regardless of what you hear "being in great shape" probably has nothing to do with whether or not the altitude will affect you, but it sure helps with the elk hunting! I have altitude problems and here is what works great for me:

1) Drink water and drink more water. Avoid caffeine or alcohol until you are well adjusted (usually 3-4 days)
2) Try and arrive early and stay lower for a night. The hardest time I have is when I fly and go from sea level to 10,000 ft in 12 hours. When I drive and stay down at 6,000-7000 ft the first night it helps. Also try not to do anything strenuous the first day you get to altitude
3) Take one of the herbal altitude products. I know of only two that work for sure: Altitude adjustment, and altitude advantage. I have used both and they really do help. Relatively inexpensive too.
4) Have antacids such as rolaids or tums. Altitude can make your blood slightly acid and taking antacids can help.

I used to take actual drugs (Diamox) for altitude, but it requires a prescription and has side effects. The altitude products have replaced that without the side effects and no prescription needed! I am not one who things herbs and cure anything, but these have both worked for me. I generally use altitude adjustment because it is made in Colorado and they are sold by 3 day packs. $5 each I think, and I have never needed more than 2 packs (6 days) so for $10 and shipping, I can be without altitude problems. http://altitude-adjustment.com/

It's not easy to get a 1st rifle season tag in the better units. Unit 55 isn't one of them.

Can't agree with you. Being out of shape will kill you on an elk hunt. The altitude just makes it worse.

Read it again Pete! He's saying exactly what you are!

Sort of, but he's saying being in shape won't help the altitude problem. I feel it does.

The altitude exaggerates what shape you're in. I've gone up to high altitude in the spring when I didn't train much during the winter, and when I trained hard all winter.

I felt like I adjusted much faster the better shape I was in. The altitude saps your strength and energy. If you don't have a lot of reserve strength and energy the altitude will drop you down so low you can hardly walk.

Even after you adjust to the altitude. You won't be as strong as you are at sea level. You need reserves.