Looking to hunt Colorado

505Hunter · Oct 21, 2016

Hello all!

I am from New Mexico, and I am looking at doing an OTC elk hunt in Colorado in the near future. I have tried looking through the the system for these tags and trying to make sense of the hunt codes and options, but I am having trouble figuring it all out.

As a local, can someone help explain to me how the Colorado system works for OTC?

What links do I go to in order to see what tags are leftover?

Do I need an account, similar to NM, that contains an CID and other information?

Really any general knowledge on how to obtain a license would help - as I am lost.

Thank you for your responses!

mntman · Oct 21, 2016

On page 36 of the 2016 regs, it has a map of the OTC units for rifle elk, you would need to verify they don't change next year but I do not recall the last time they have so they will likely be same units.
If you are talking archery either sex or cow those are different maps (just prior to rifle map).
There is a link below to regs, however it is all on the CO P&W page under hunting>big game.

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

txhunter58 · Oct 21, 2016

Depends on what season you want to hunt. Even in OTC units, you can draw a limited tag for elk, mostly muzzleloading and 1st rifle. All other seasons, you can walk into any wallyworld and buy an OTC tag. However, I like the two mentioned above for several reasons: You will have less hunters with rifles in the field, and both generally have some rutting action.

Many OTC units can be drawn with 0-1 point for the 1st rifle, so you should put in for one next Spring. If you don't get drawn you get a point, so you will draw the next year (if only 1 point needed)

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

505Hunter · Oct 21, 2016

Thank you for the replies!

It would most likely be 2nd or 3rd season choices. If I didn't draw elk for NM then I would try for an OTC Colorado tag.

I saw on the link above some of the maps that were mentioned. You mentioned that you can walk into a Walmart, does it have to be a local Walmart or can I do one here in NM? Silly question probably, but I don't know.

I might get into the drawing at a later date until I can figure all of it out. Thank you for the replies!

DirtyTough · Oct 21, 2016

You have to buy it from a Colorado Walmart.

stinky · Oct 21, 2016

Make sure that you take your proof of Hunter-Ed.
John 14:6

mntman · Oct 22, 2016

>Make sure that you take your
>proof of Hunter-Ed.
>John 14:6

yep, but when you are in CO at some point stop into a DOW office and have them verify your hunters ED, it will then show up on all future licenses and you will no longer need to carry it while hunting or purchasing a license...

Also, I believe txhtr might be wrong on the mzldr, I think those are all draw tags for elk, I could be wrong. However he may be referring to tags being leftover after the drawing. all 1st and 4th season rifle tags are draw, but again many units have leftovers available after the 1st Tuesday in august.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

txhunter58 · Oct 22, 2016

Yes, all muzzy seasons and 1st rifle are limited/draw only. My wording may have been confusing, but I said "mostly" because there are also seasons like 4th that are limited.

However, the poster might consider at least putting in for a point to be used later. Or he can put in for a tag and if he draws, he can turn it back in and get a refund up to 30 days before the season starts. So if he draws in NM he can turn it back in, if not, he can go to CO.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

txhunter58 · Oct 22, 2016

Also, I think you can buy a license online, but not sure why you would need to. For OTC hunts, I just like to buy on the way, just in case something comes up at the last minute that keeps me from going.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

505Hunter · Oct 22, 2016

Txthunter58,

That makes sense about what you said for the draw. I didn't think of that. If I missed nm I could go co but if didntnget nm I could do co.

So is co a point system then? If it is - can someone explain how that works?

mntman · Oct 22, 2016

Yes, CO is preference points.
That means Highest point holder gets tag.

10 tags available. 8 apply with 2 points, they all receive tags,
4 apply with 1 point, 2 of them in a random selection draw a tag, everyone with zero points has no chance...

Like Txhntr said, in CO you can apply for a point each year and still acquire a tag via 2nd, 3rd, 4th choice or leftover list.

2016 was the first year they added returned tags originally issued in the drawing to the leftover list.
However sounds like that process might be getting tweaked this winter so can't really say what the process will be in regards to purchasing, time frames, and possible points used next year to receive a "returned" tag.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

DirtyTough · Oct 22, 2016

Its a preference point system. Whoever has the most points gets the tag. Non Res get 20% of draw tags in some units and 35% in others.

If not enough people apply for a unit first choice and there are leftover tags then its a random draw for second choice. Points are not taken into account second through fourth choice.

If you apply for a point first choice and draw your second through fourth choice you still gain a point.

Regards, Branden