35K Increase.

[accubond]

Word on the street is that apps were up 35k this year in CO. Not sure how that's available already but that's just what I heard this morning?‍.

 

[Bluehair]

Since that sounds completely ridiculous, I guess it makes sense.

 

[ThrowingLead]

Colorado most use that same online system the democrats use to vote with.

 

[HntHrdr]

Seems like a huge jump, but with woofs on the horizon, and “burn yer points” newberg calling for it who knows?

 

[accubond]

Seems like a huge jump, but with woofs on the horizon, and “burn yer points” newberg calling for it who knows?

This info came from the Gunnison CPW office, it would be a weird thing to just make up IMO?

 

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

My guess is lots of sideline sitters jumped in for tags this year knowing the wolves are coming

 

[HntHrdr]

This info came from the Gunnison CPW office, it would be a weird thing to just make up IMO?

No I agree that is just a chit ton of applicants, damn our states popularity…

 

[El Gringo]

Colorado most use that same online system the democrats use to vote with.

Same group…..

 

[270Whatelse]

Thanks Randy, Toprut, Gohunt,........etc,etc

 

[Ynothunt41]

Where are all these people when we need to fight to protect the animals we love?

 

[kickerbuck]

Where are all these people when we need to fight to protect the animals we love?

You mean the Wolves?

 

[Stevo]

Where are all these people when we need to fight to protect the animals we love?

If those 35k are non-residents, they just contributed over $4 million dollars to the CPWD buying a small game license, habitat stamp, and cost to apply for a single species.

 

[huntin50]

Is it too late to get a point for this year?

 

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

Is it too late to get a point for this year?

Yep

 

[cmbbulldog]

Is it too late to get a point for this year?

You can turn your trash back in and get your points back!

 

[Ynothunt41]

You mean the Wolves?

No, I'm taking about the Deer and Elk.

 

[Bookhead]

I'm just gonna say it's probably 3500 more applicants ?

 

[newguy]

So if a person put in for 5 species for the first time, would that count for 1 or 5 “applicants”?

Mark

 

[Bluehair]

So if a person put in for 5 species for the first time, would that count for 1 or 5 “applicants”?

Mark

From what I’ve seen in most of their reports, it looks like individual transactions count as applicants. For all I know they count ATV renewals as applicants now. I’m sure they have much more complete data for internal use though.

This just came out a couple of days ago, so as usual I get to make up my own reality.

Hunting License Sales Have Fallen Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

After a pandemic-driven bump in U.S. hunting licenses, license sales have returned to roughly what they were before Covid-19 lockdowns.

www.outdoorlife.com

 

[HntHrdr]

If those 35k are non-residents, they just contributed over $4 million dollars to the CPWD buying a small game license, habitat stamp, and cost to apply for a single species.

Sounds awesome in theory, but I don’t think CPW, at least the commission, is our friend. This is just more glut for them to say how they can’t regulate herds properly, since they need more money, it’s always more money. Funny how we aren’t getting more habitat or access out of this. I think the only redeeming thing polis has done is open up some STL’s, but with tons of money should be buying up habitat for animals…

 

[accubond]

I'm just gonna say it's probably 3500 more applicants ?

I just spoke with a hunt planner and he confirmed the increase and said the exact number was 35,434 new applications this year. I'm looking a lot harder at my plan B!

 

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

Are they actually "brand new" applicants or is it people that have only been buying points that actually put in for hunt codes this year. Be interested to see if the points only applicant pool dropped in significant numbers

 

[tkjwonta]

I am curious how many of those are people who formerly picked up an OTC elk tag, but now with many archery units going to a draw, maybe they are actually applying. I'm sure this doesn't account for all of the new applicants, but could explain some of them.

 

[The_Coloradoboy]

What an absolute dumpster fire the states turned into

 

[ridgerunner]

I cant believe how many "new" applicants keep buying into these point systems given the reality of when they might actually draw a tag.

 

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

I cant believe how many "new" applicants keep buying into these point systems given the reality of when they might actually draw a tag.

Most people have no idea how it even works. Heck look how many threads are on here of guys asking if they can still by points for Colorado this year

 

[Crampy]

I'm not sure if apps means applicants or applications.

Either way, 35K increase would be low if you believe prior news stories of 50-70K increase in applicants in each year of the last few years.

Some of that is folks being sloppy with words and what counts as an application (each species, each CC transaction, etc..)

Colorado's Big Game Hunting Opportunities Are Attracting Hunters in Record Numbers

The number of Colorado's big game hunting applications has surged within the last few years, a potential result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

outsider.com

 

[accubond]

I bought my first antelope point this year and was told that was one of the "new applicants".

 

[RRCowboyStar]

Had some people I work with (transplants) that want to start hunting and need a hunter safety card. All of the classes in
CO Springs and Pueblo were 100% booked in Feb. and March.

 

[HntHrdr]

Had some people I work with (transplants) that want to start hunting and need a hunter safety card. All of the classes in
CO Springs and Pueblo were 100% booked in Feb. and March.

Snuck the old wife in a class but I signed her up last November… she was pissed; she hunted in AZ before, and thought it was silly that she had to do this for Co, she did say 90% of the class was kids and a few adults there

 

[marburg]

Didn't Montana experience something similar last year?

The big campaign about needing more licensed hunters a few years back was a huge lie. Numbers have been steadily increasing for years.

 

[Crampy]

Had some people I work with (transplants) that want to start hunting and need a hunter safety card. All of the classes in
CO Springs and Pueblo were 100% booked in Feb. and March.

I thought everyone was just taking hunter ed courses from an online only state (eg Idaho) and then reciprocating that card to your state.

I believe all states will honor the Idaho online course even if courses taken in your state would have required an in class component.

 

[RRCowboyStar]

These are all people who have never hunted before, but since moving to Colorado, they want to experience everything. Most have tried skiing and mountain biking and feel like hunting is next.
They have no idea about how the draw works or preference points. But all of them know someone who hunts OTC elk.
I doubt any of them will hunt more than a weekend. None of them realize how big the country is or will walk more than a couple of hundred yards from a road.

 

[FrontRange]

Could be the result of the new Wyoming Regs, 90% Res to 10% non-res I believe. People might be realizing that drawing a Wyoming tag is a dead end so they are applying in Colorado.

 

[wweaver79]

Everyone I know is done applying the big three in WY ( if your under prob 17/18 points it is a waste now, we will see if it changes to bonus draw of some type once they see how many applicants do not apply this year. That might be some of the reason for more apps. But CO is growing with transplants.

 

[Danny_Ocean]

Could be the result of the new Wyoming Regs, 90% Res to 10% non-res I believe. People might be realizing that drawing a Wyoming tag is a dead end so they are applying in Colorado.

This! PPs in CO still get you in the woods in short order. Wy, 4-5 years for a general! It’s obvious why we’re seeing the increase.

 

[Crampy]

This! PPs in CO still get you in the woods in short order. Wy, 4-5 years for a general! It’s obvious why we’re seeing the increase.

100%. People believe that 90/10 on all species will happen soon in WY. Whereas, 80/20 is the worst they hear about CO. And CO hopes to keep OTC and let you point collect at same time. Newbies are definitely picking CO. Even more than before.

 

[lostinOregon]

Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Utah had rough winters or down numbers. I think a lot of folks decided to try to burn their deer and elk points in Colorado this year.

 

[RRCowboyStar]

Interesting Article from the Denver Post. Good info why applications have increased, but way off base on everything else.

https://www.denverpost.com/2023/04/16/colorado-big-game-hunting-interest-pandemic/?trk_msg=RHGGF9RKNFF4F6ORCUU7PCJN9O&trk_contact=LJ99EHKBU3ETF6L45FJT42AUG8&trk_sid=99FD8LPP819D9NM80OKMQPSDBS&trk_link=NKC5Q89GJJDKD18NP7IDA4PPR4&utm_email=7462556264A934A1A46E447C64&g2i_eui=&g2i_source=newsletter&lctg=7462556264A934A1A46E447C64&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.denverpost.com%2f2023%2f04%2f16%2fcolorado-big-game-hunting-interest-pandemic%2f&utm_campaign=denver-post-premium&utm_content=manual

 

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Utah had rough winters or down numbers. I think a lot of folks decided to try to burn their deer and elk points in Colorado this year.

Our winter was no easier. Look at the tag cuts occurring in the Northwest corner

 

[lostinOregon]

I agree about the NW corner. But the rest of the state wasn’t publicized with the influencers like all of the other doom and gloom

 

[BasuraBuck]

Interesting Article from the Denver Post. Good info why applications have increased, but way off base on everything else.

https://www.denverpost.com/2023/04/16/colorado-big-game-hunting-interest-pandemic/?trk_msg=RHGGF9RKNFF4F6ORCUU7PCJN9O&trk_contact=LJ99EHKBU3ETF6L45FJT42AUG8&trk_sid=99FD8LPP819D9NM80OKMQPSDBS&trk_link=NKC5Q89GJJDKD18NP7IDA4PPR4&utm_email=7462556264A934A1A46E447C64&g2i_eui=&g2i_source=newsletter&lctg=7462556264A934A1A46E447C64&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.denverpost.com%2f2023%2f04%2f16%2fcolorado-big-game-hunting-interest-pandemic%2f&utm_campaign=denver-post-premium&utm_content=manual

That last bit is particularly off "Wolves and cougars are a hunter's best friend"

 

[Gutpilegus23]

Would like to read it but don’t have bookface.

 

[DBLung]

Between all the newbie hunters, and western hunting becoming more popular with outdoor media, it's believable to me.

 

[Stevo]

I'd guess at least some of those folks see the writing on the wall, and that OTC elk hunting will likely be a thing of the past at least for NR hunters soon. Best to build a few points while still hunting the OTC when that time arrives.

 

[Katoom]

We all keep talking about the “increase in popularity” of western hunting but also clearly see how the application process, odds, costs are getting so much more difficult, not to mention everyone involved seems to hate everyone else! I suspect a LOT of the new people just getting into it will give up sooner rather than later, there are just fewer opportunities to start and maintain this lifestyle for the more casual participant. It will never again get “better” than it is now, but we are probably going to have to plateau soon, otherwise why would these new applicants even bother.

 

[Bluehair]

I think you guys are overthinking it. Online application processes and services caused this.