Colorado question.

[TexanSam]

Hey folks sorry if this has been answered but I got a quick question.

So it looks like for a lot of the OTC, first rifle and muzzle loader are still draw tags. With that being said, does that mean there might be less pressure for said seasons? Is it worth burning a point for it Vs just going to the same unit during an OTC season?

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[rayporter]

if you are going only for a bull -maybe so. first season either sex may up your odds, in more ways than one, since more bulls are still alive in first season. second season, bull only, might pinch you a little, unless you want to burn a point on a cow tag.

as for hunter numbers, it is a crap shoot.

 

[COlineman78]

Hey folks sorry if this has been answered but I got a quick question.

So it looks like for a lot of the OTC, first rifle and muzzle loader are still draw tags. With that being said, does that mean there might be less pressure for said seasons? Is it worth burning a point for it Vs just going to the same unit during an OTC season?

If they are draw tags they aren't OTC. OTC in CO is Archery (for all units except flat tops and dinosaur areas) and 2nd/3rd rifle bull tags (except Dinosaur area). Hunting a draw tag doesn't mean any less pressure, in fact it usually means more because these are the more desirable seasons and/or locations. The only exception to that are areas where tags are extremely limited and only 10-20 people are getting a tag for an entire unit, but these will require 30+ points to draw. Burning points vs OTC is simple; if you want to hunt rifle and want a good season (1st) you are going to need to draw. All muzzy is draw and is not available OTC, but muzzy is the 3rd week of archery and usually around peak rut.

 

[oldgoat]

Not really fully following your post. You're talking different weapons, different weather and different biological schedule of the animal.

 

[TexanSam]

Not really fully following your post. You're talking different weapons, different weather and different biological schedule of the animal.

Is it worth it to burn a point for a muzzy or 1st rifle tag when I could simply go get an otc tag for that same unit for a later season

 

[COlineman78]

Is it worth it to burn a point for a muzzy or 1st rifle tag when I could simply go get an otc tag for that same unit for a later season

Look at the harvest survey and this will answer your question. (hint: yes). However, depending on the unit it may not require a PP for muzzy, especially if you are okay with a cow tag.

 

[Hayguide]

I think its worth the point if you can draw a 1st season for two reasons.
1st- you wont have as much pressure as the second rife does because you wont be competing with combo Elk/ Deer hunters.
2nd- there is a 20 day break from last day of bow to 1st season rifle- things get a little calmed down.
there are a lot of good tags under prescribed in SW and NW Colorado, go for a point first, then a second choice for the tag in a first rifle- you will most likely draw on your second choice and get a point on your 1st-and be hunting.

 

[TexanSam]

I think its worth the point if you can draw a 1st season for two reasons.
1st- you wont have as much pressure as the second rife does because you wont be competing with combo Elk/ Deer hunters.
2nd- there is a 20 day break from last day of bow to 1st season rifle- things get a little calmed down.
there are a lot of good tags under prescribed in SW and NW Colorado, go for a point first, then a second choice for the tag in a first rifle- you will most likely draw on your second choice and get a point on your 1st-and be hunting.

That answers my question. Thank you so much

 

[TexanSam]

And not saying there's anything wrong with Colorado but hopefully I draw an Arizona or New Mexico tag and defer my Colorado app to preference points anyways

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[Hayguide]

here is my 2016 elk-SW Colorado-2nd choice-1st season. Did a one man drop, saw 8 elk in 2 days- lots of fresh sign near my camp. I opted to not scout on my day I packed in early, because I didn't want to bump anything. saw about 4 cows on day one, and then on day two saw two nice bulls headed into dark timber at day light-800 yards away- went back for an evening hunt and they came out along with a few cows- shot him at 200 yards-awesome hunt- I booked the same camp for this year-by myself unless one of my sons can get off from there new jobs. I have killed some nice bulls in OTC areas on the first draw season for Rifle in Colorado. My biggest was a 320-2010- this one was around 270

 

[Hayguide]

View attachment 48096View attachment 48096 both 1st season no point bulls-2010 and 2016

 

[Coveyleader]

1st rifle is the best season hands down. Mt OTC archery unit is wide open all seasons except 1st rifle. It's good in archery, ML, but stupid good during 1st season.