colorado state wide is ovc for elk I think with some exceptions. The San Juan forest in the Southwest
is very large, around 8 million acres. Quite a few elk and lots of mule deer.Last year while on diy for
elkI saw lots of good mule deer.We are going back this fall and my son in law is trying for a mullie tag.

Thanks onebigelk....

Good timing, before I checked on the thread I called the CO dept. of Wildlife. You're right on, They have OTC for Elk for 2nd and 3rd season only. Its also only avilable for about half of the units. You can check these out in their 2008 Big Game regulations. Its under "Unlimted Rifle Elk". Here is a link to it. http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonl...5C1D/0/elk.pdf
This may be where we go this year, but I am still looking for a OTC Mule Deer hunt too. As mentioned above by a few, its looks like Idaho offers it in some units.

The first thing you need to do is subscribe to the Huntin' Fool Magazine. $100/year but you will get everything you want and more. It's the one and only magazine necessary to learn all these areas.

If you want good tags this year, I'd still definitely apply for draw areas every state you can that does not offer bonus/preference points, like New Mexico. Only then go OTC or for guaranteed areas. Regardless you need to apply and start accumulating points for future years. I've been doing it 12 years and can draw a great tag every year if I want.

I like the Hunting Fool Magazine. Nice magazine and pictures. But I do not like the concept of the magazine. I do not go with Garth Carter's Hunting picks. Think about it. Want a good draw odd on a good hunting area? Everyone who reads that magazine applies in those area's making the draw odds much worse. I use that magazine to apply in areas of the state he does NOT talk about. Do your ownhomework, call the Game and Fish of the states, the biologist, game wardens, etc...etc...Half the fun is finding an area that you found by your own work. Not having someone else tell you what to do or where to go. You'll find areas good and with lots better draw odds. Unless he's got bunches of points built (in states that offer points)up to tip the odds in his favor to draw Carter'shunting picksright off the bat.

Thanks for the info on the Huntin' Fool magazine. I stumbled accross in while doing some searching but did not get that much access because I am not a member.

My next question to help continue this discussion is: Left over tags. Many of the states seem to have a left over tag drawing around July or August. Does anyone have any feedback on these. One thing I have been running across in my conversations with local buddies, is many people are telling me "so and so went and bought a mule deer tag over the counter there last year". This has happed with a few different people and the state that kept coming up was Colorado. So does anyone know if the leftover tags in CO are easy to get? When I called their dept of wildlife, they did not talk about it much. Maybe because I did not ask the right question, but how are these people (un-guided) getting these tags so easily?

BTW-- thank you everyone for contributing to this forum. I have learned a ton. I plan on writing a summary with all this info when I am all done and post it to help anyone else interested.

CO has a lot of leftover tags for deer and elk, check the regulations for 08 and you can find out which units had extra tags after the drawing. You can get 2 deer and 2 elk leftover tags, also otc bull tags for 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons. Leftovers go to sale in mid-August, first come first serve basis. Check statistics on DOW site for the success in those units. Good luck.

HI Guys.

Thanks for helping me build on this thread.Three more quick questions today.

1. In the last few spreads we've talked about OTC tags in Colorado. I assume you can also purchase these online or over the phone. I just want to make sure I don't need to drive to CO. in August to pick the thing up.

2. Preference Point Only Applications. Does anyone know of states that you can apply for a preffernce point only? I searched a few (MT, WY, ID, and CO). Of those few, its seemed like only Wyoming had that option. Please let me know of any more you may know of or if I am wrong about any of the other mentioned.

3. Preference points in general- When you bonus/preference point is it a
"general preference point" or is it game specific? For example. If I want to hunt deer in Montana, I don't draw this year so I get a pref. point. Next year I want to hunt Elk in Montana. So does that point I obtained via a Deer application, apply toward my Elk application? Or is that point only good for future Deer draws?

You guys rock!! Thanks for all the help!!

Honestly, you could write a book going over the various states drawing proces - LOL

Here's my two cents... Many of the western states have some sort of process in place for preference points only... The one bad thing is that it's getting pretty expensive in most of those states to build PP's...

Here's some examples that come to mind:

WY - elk $50, deer $40 - plus any application fees
AZ - you have to buy an out of state hunting lic (100+) plus app fees
NV - to build PP, you need to buy an out of state hunting lic (100+) plus app fees
ID - No Points sys
MT - No points only
CO - for PP only you need to send in the entire tag fee, they hold it for a couple of months, then they refund all except app. fees
UT - You have to buy an out of state hunting lic plus app. fees
NM - No point sys

Bottom line is that it can get VERY expensive fast (building points)...

Windog,
I have been researching Colorado for a 2009 DIY hunt. You can request a 2008 Colorado Big Game regulations book from the CDOW and they will send you two free to your house, applications are included. In Colorado they have a preference point code that you can put on your application for any big game speciesif you know that you cant hunt that year. They are species specific and will last as long as you apply each year. If you dont get drawn for your first choice you automatically get a preference point and can still get another hunt.Bow season is mainly during the rut and the state has tons of OTC tags for archery. Muzzleloader and 1st rifle and 4th rifle is draw only for elk. You can purchase/apply online but there might be a cutoff time close to the start of season that you can buy an OTC tag from a regular retailer. Application deadline for Colorado is April 1st. I live in KY and am in the same boat as you. The different rules and regs. are easier to read in print for me, rather than online. I have never been West of the Mississippi River so I am doingas much research as possible for my hunt so that I am legal and safe.The February issue of Outdoor Life has some pretty good information for western hunts. GMUResearch.com has some good information for Colorado.
ScoutMan

Windog1, I applied for and received a pref. point by applying for a pref. point only inCO last year.
I paid $254 with credit card online. I received refund (minus $25 for processing fee) in July. And
was still able to buy bull elk tag over-the-counter for 2nd rifle season. I recommend finding any
way you can to get out there and go elk hunting ( mule deer would be fun too) I have memories
that I will never forget.