Colorado Draw Report - Elk 2025

[Maverick1]

Lemmings... just 'cause Uncle Randy said to apply

I’ve been elk hunting before he had a “social media presence”…….and I don’t watch his stuff….so, not applicable to all!

 

[35WhelenAI]

And to think all this for elk that barely bugle these days. More guys in the woods than every before, you know those giant climbs, or descents only to find out someone is already there. You get up at 330am, drop into that special spot only to see headlamps coming down to you at 6am and nothing is going to turn those guys around. with that little 5x5 bugling at day break.

Elk hunting is CO has really changed. I wonder if the majority of these guys drawing and applying know what the reality of CO elk hunting is like.

^^^This^^^ but YouTube, et al, sure paints them a picture... then many of them will post up on this forum, asking what cartridge they should start building a gun for because they hope to draw their first ever elk tag in Colorado.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

I don't think many, but I've been wrong once or twice.

We will see what happens. $40 per species adds up. CPW is banking on people buying the point.

Let's see how much they would have made off elk this year if every applicant opted in for the preference point.

2025 elk first choice Applicants
RES 116,772
NR 130,056
Total 246,828

2025 elk first choice successful
RES 42,055
NR 28,452
Total 70,507

246,828 - 70,507 = 176,321

176,321 × $40 = $7,052,840 profit from ZERO tags issued

Yeah....

 

[GunsAreFun]

We will see what happens. $40 per species adds up. CPW is banking on people buying the point.

Let's see how much they would have made off elk this year if every applicant opted in for the preference point.

2025 elk first choice Applicants
RES 116,772
NR 130,056
Total 246,828

2025 elk first choice successful
RES 42,055
NR 28,452
Total 70,507

246,828 - 70,507 = 176,321

176,321 × $40 = $7,052,840 profit from ZERO tags issued

Yeah....

Trying to understand the impact of this change.

So I can’t put in for a preference point as a first choice and try to draw a hunt as a second choice, right? But if we never do that anyway, does it matter to me (aside from the price increase)?

My group takes turns so if we are putting in, it is either to draw a tag or a preference point, never both.

 

[MallardSX2]

Trying to understand the impact of this change.

So I can’t put in for a preference point as a first choice and try to draw a hunt as a second choice, right? But if we never do that anyway, does it matter to me (aside from the price increase)?

My group takes turns so if we are putting in, it is either to draw a tag or a preference point, never both.

With the new system, my understanding is that there will be no PP hunt code.

Meaning, the predictability that you have been feeding off of for years, goes out the window.....So you better apply for EE002E1R like the other 40,000 guys to just draw a point and have a .00001% chance on drawing a TOAL. lol

Again, my understanding is that there will be no PP hun code and everyone will apply for a hunt.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[cnelk]

I may be the only one but Im not worrying about the 2028 changes until the 2028 Regs come out.

Three years is a long time for things to change in the Colorado hunting landscape with fires, winters, wolves and general politics

In the meantime, Im gaining a few PPs, hunting when I can.

 

[GunsAreFun]

With the new system, my understanding is that there will be no PP hunt code.

Meaning, the predictability that you have been feeding off of for years, goes out the window.....So you better apply for EE002E1R like the other 40,000 guys to just draw a point and have a .00001% chance on drawing a TOAL. lol

Again, my understanding is that there will be no PP hun code and everyone will apply for a hunt.

Can anyone confirm this?

I think you may be correct, upon further reading. I suppose we can just put in for a primo unit, and if someone by chance gets it…well I guess that isn’t the worst problem to have lol

 

[MallardSX2]

I suppose we can just put in for a primo unit, and if someone by chance gets it…

Welcome to the future Colorado Thunderdome of tags and .002% draw odds my friend. May the odds forever be in your favor.

 

[ColoradoV]

Reading this and interesting that folks wonder why get up early to help a couple ranchers w irrigation in the summer… Me and my 10 year old are heading out to set some tarps here at 6:45. Should only take a hour maybe 2.. One is a just under 2000 acres the other just over 200 acres…

Plenty of ways to skin a cat and I seem to hunt while building points every year …

Good luck w all your draw plans..

 

[well_known_rokslider]

With the new system, my understanding is that there will be no PP hunt code.

Meaning, the predictability that you have been feeding off of for years, goes out the window.....So you better apply for EE002E1R like the other 40,000 guys to just draw a point and have a .00001% chance on drawing a TOAL. lol

Again, my understanding is that there will be no PP hun code and everyone will apply for a hunt.

Can anyone confirm this?

I believe that is correct, the difference being, instead of getting the PP for free by not drawing your first choice, you'll be charged the $40.

 

[tboltz34]

I believe that is correct, the difference being, instead of getting the PP for free by not drawing your first choice, you'll be charged the $40.

I wouldn't say it's free right now. To obtain a point a non-resident has to purchase a small games license for $102 plus pay $11 per species to apply.

 

[well_known_rokslider]

I wouldn't say it's free right now. To obtain a point a non-resident has to purchase a small games license for $102 plus pay $11 per species to apply.

correct, poorly worded on my part. $11 to apply. Now you'll still have to do that, but if you don't draw choice #1 (and you can no longer simply put PP) you will need to pay an additional $35 if you want to keep that PP from failing to draw choice #1.

 

[kenny8906]

This here. My guess is most Non-Res applicants that do not draw a tag are not traveling to CO to use the small game license. ($102 + $11) x (unsuccessful draws) = $$$$$$.

 

[MallardSX2]

This here. My guess is most Non-Res applicants that do not draw a tag are not traveling to CO to use the small game license. ($102 + $11) x (unsuccessful draws) = $$$$$$.

Deer ($102 + $11 + 40) = $153
Elk ($40 + $11) = $51
Bear ($40 + $11) = $51
Antelope ($40 + $11) = $51

Total = $306 just for points yearly for a NR. Sound right?

 

[cnelk]

^^^ Add in a Habitat Stamp - $12.47

 

[well_known_rokslider]

Colorado saw what every other state around them was doing and wanted some more of that sweet sweet non-res cheddar.

 

[MallardSX2]

Deer ($102 + $11 + 40) = $153
Elk ($40 + $11) = $51
Bear ($40 + $11) = $51
Antelope ($40 + $11) = $51

Total = $306 just for points yearly for a NR. Sound right?

Small Game ($102 ) = $102
Habitat Stamp = $12
Deer ($11 + 40) = $51
Elk ($40 + $11) = $51
Bear ($40 + $11) = $51
Antelope ($40 + $11) = $51

Total=$318/year....

That's going to send some people running for the hills.

 

[well_known_rokslider]

Total=$318

That's going to send some people running for the hills.

Some, not many. Not everyone's applying for all species and most are guilty of buying in to the sunk cost fallacy.

 

[tboltz34]

correct, poorly worded on my part. $11 to apply. Now you'll still have to do that, but if you don't draw choice #1 (and you can no longer simply put PP) you will need to pay an additional $35 if you want to keep that PP from failing to draw choice #1

Okay, that makes sense. I don't see it affecting mule deer and elk much but I could see antelope and bear. After I burn my antelope points (don't have bear), I likely won't be restarting if it's $11+35.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

I thought I heard on the commission meeting the $40 PP fee did not go through as written.

They do plan on removing the PP only code. Forcing people to apply. Thus lowering the odds in the top tier units, cause the people that really don't want to hunt that year. Will just shoot for the moon.

Either way. The people want to hunt will be able to and those that wish to chase supposed glory tags, can continue to do so.