Burn or hold? 8 co elk points

[String&stick]

Been hunting other states for bulls and cows and find myself with 8 elk points in Colorado with one year left before the 50/50 bonus change.

Struggling with decisions on if I should burn them in 2027 or go into 2028 with 9 points and start taking shots and some better units with the bonus structure.

Haven't hunted Colorado at all as we've been focused on Wyoming and Idaho the last several years. So just starting to look at it hard. Just curious what others in this situation are doing with their points looking ahead to 2027.

Open to rifle or archery just looking at insight for burn or hold.

 

[il_cop]

Nonres? I assume?

8 points is kind of no man's land. Not enough for the quality managed units but more than enough for most of the rest.

I'm always in favor of hunting, now. Life's too short.

 

[digger]

I burned mine

 

[trophyhill]

Similar here. 9 points and only buying a point next year with 10 going into 28. Pretty much in no man’s land

 

[MallardSX2]

Burn em!

 

[justinspicher]

Send it cousin!

 

[String&stick]

Nonres? I assume?

8 points is kind of no man's land. Not enough for the quality managed units but more than enough for most of the rest.

I'm always in favor of hunting, now. Life's too short.

Yes non residents.

I agree with hunting now just trying to decide if having 9+ will have any benefits on the bonus point side of things. . . I'll probably find out one way or another though because I have 9 deer points as well!

 

[chanson_roland]

Been hunting other states for bulls and cows and find myself with 8 elk points in Colorado with one year left before the 50/50 bonus change.

Struggling with decisions on if I should burn them in 2027 or go into 2028 with 9 points and start taking shots and some better units with the bonus structure.

Haven't hunted Colorado at all as we've been focused on Wyoming and Idaho the last several years. So just starting to look at it hard. Just curious what others in this situation are doing with their points looking ahead to 2027.

Open to rifle or archery just looking at insight for burn or hold.

I'm in the exact same spot. 8pts for deer, elk, and antelope as a NR in CO. Drew a Wyoming Elk General tag (again) this year, so that's my western hunt for the year. Will watch this thread....

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Wife and I were sitting on 5 and 6 and I was planning to use them this year, but we got lucky and drew a cow party app in Wyoming with my son and some good friends so we're doing that. I wonder how many people will attempt to "burn" their points this coming year and end up striking out due to multiple digit point creep from all the burners. Probably best to be safe and apply for something a good few points under what you have if you really want to draw.

 

[Indian Summer]

Burn them. They’ll be worth less if you don’t

 

[180ls1]

Depends on other opportunities and time.

For example, I'm sitting on 11 cow points in another state because I keep drawing cool tags and cant squeeze that hunt in.

 

[jdmaxwell]

You better burn them. I just burnt 13

 

[cnelk]

Next you’ll be asking where to apply

 

[The Guide]

Life is not a guarantee as death can come at any time. Points, like money, mean nothing in death. Use them and make memories with the people you love.

Jay

 

[wildwilderness]

I would not so much think of the points but think as what you want to Hunt and when-


If you have no other prospects for an elk hunt next year and really want to just go then use them. If Colorado is just a thought for another trip but prefer a more quality hunt if and when you draw then save them

 

[IrkedCitizen]

There is going to be a point exodus in the 2027 draw. We saw it this year. Some units jumped multiple points. It's going to be worse next year and beyond.