Colorado Draw Report - Elk 2025

[Coveyleader]

I was wanting to see how one of my OTC units looks this year after the OTC to NR draw. Still a ton of tags left over but I guess now you know "approximately" how many guys were hitting those units per year or more. I drew a good tag, so it will have to wait another year.

The reality is, I used to see the same guys year after year, always a couple new out of state plates showing up, but it was cyclic but man, you take the number tags, divide by 4 and the potential army on the ground per week is staggering. No wonder "sceery cow calls" don't work.

 

[MallardSX2]

No wonder "sceery cow calls" don't work.

Oh hell dude, just break out the hoochie momma.

 

[GunsAreFun]

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.

I was never super interested in Fall bear so guess I’ll stop doing that. Probably will burn my deer points next year and stop doing that as well. So, CO, I’ll end up spending about the same per year and instead of buying those two tags once every few years as well, I won’t be doing that.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

The preference point fee will have a huge affect on the RES. The fee is not far off the price of an actual license, deer $49.15, elk 67.86, pronghorn $49.15, bear $61.62. $227.78 combined when successful and the fee for unsuccessful is $160. $67.78 difference

 

[30338]

We're burning points and preparing to focus on birds in KS, NE, SD, MT and possibly Saskatchewan the next few years. It's been a good run. I think I am on 6 elk points though so they may get me for a few years before I draw a unit I am looking at. Then it's for sure done for me here. Well for elk. I'll hunt bears and whitetails here for a bit more.

 

[alexnelon]

The preference point fee will have a huge affect on the RES. The fee is not far off the price of an actual license, deer $49.15, elk 67.86, pronghorn $49.15, bear $61.62. $227.78 combined when successful and the fee for unsuccessful is $160. $67.78 difference

Thanks for reminding me that I pay $757 more for the same tag and still have to listen to residents complain about being priced out

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Thanks for reminding me that I pay $757 more for the same tag and still have to listen to residents complain about being priced out

Im not complaining. Everyone is more than welcome to move to Calirado for our resident pricing. Hell i honestly welcome more sportsman's move here to help offset the damn liberal scum

 

[cnelk]

I bet the CPW will raise Res prices within the next 3 years

 

[Levy_ken]

I also would not be surprised if all OTC hunts - both resident NR - disappear completely in the next few years. I know my local wildlife association is petitioning for it (only current OTC hunts are later rifle seasons), and once one starts it’s just a matter of time. The argument is sacrificing opportunity every year for a better quality hunt every year (or two). Not necessarily bad but depends on what your goals are. Could also bring the point required down in many units since people will have to choose between hunting every year in a unit that still has high enough tag allocations or committing to a better hunt unit.

Like others have said, I think the point jumps in the “mid” units this year are largely a reaction to the draw structure changes coming in 2028. Guys are realizing they’re not going to catch the units they want by ‘28 and just cutting their losses and dumping their points.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Thanks for reminding me that I pay $757 more for the same tag and still have to listen to residents complain about being priced out

Still cheaper than every other elk state and you get 10x the opportunity. CPW is a $$$ hungry beast where res and NR aren't seeing the ROI. Every other state does more with so much less. We sell more NR tags than ALL western states combined plus some!

At least you can hunt it every year, right? And your home state on top.

 

[MallardSX2]

I also would not be surprised if all OTC hunts - both resident NR - disappear completely in the next few years. I know my local wildlife association is petitioning for it (only current OTC hunts are later rifle seasons), and once one starts it’s just a matter of time. The argument is sacrificing opportunity every year for a better quality hunt every year (or two). Not necessarily bad but depends on what your goals are. Could also bring the point required down in many units since people will have to choose between hunting every year in a unit that still has high enough tag allocations or committing to a better hunt unit.

I wonder if the Celebrity Man-child will show up at another meeting and starting crying again in an effort to try to keep OTC Archery........What a freaking child.

 

[WABullsnBucks]

2 point jump in the unit I am after.

 

[35WhelenAI]

So are you going to go OTC in the later rifle Seasons or wait till you draw your desired unit?

 

[well_known_rokslider]

I wonder if the Celebrity Man-child will show up at another meeting and starting crying again in an effort to try to keep OTC Archery........What a freaking child.

Can you be more specific?

 

[CoMulies]

I bet the CPW will raise Res prices within the next 3 years

I’d gladly pay double if it meant seeing less people in the woods

 

[MallardSX2]

I’d gladly pay double if it meant seeing less people in the woods

Are you willing to pay 13x more? Because that’s what it will take to replace 1 NR….

 

[35WhelenAI]

What is the gloom and doom that will happen to hunting in Colorado if the funds for hunting that go to CPW drop dramatically because the NR Hunters decide not to come.

 

[well_known_rokslider]

“I’d be willing to pay $130 to see less people elk hunting”

Bold statement Cotton!

 

[CoMulies]

“I’d be willing to pay $130 to see less people elk hunting”

Bold statement Cotton!

Great, triple it then. I’d pay that with a smile on my face too.

 

[well_known_rokslider]