NR Colorado Archery hunters Poll

[Hnthrdr]

Another thread made me think of this.
So if you are a NR Archery elk hunter coming to Co this year. Did you put in for archery or did you switch to OTC rifle tags?

Comment on why you made your choice.
Are you saving points? Like having a sure thing when it comes to tags? Ect.

 

[butcherboy]

Archery for me but I haven’t hunted CO for elk since about 1999 or maybe 2000. I have 17 points but should have a lot more since I started in ‘98. I should have hunted it more when I could since it would only be an hour drive for me.

 

[cam813]

Archery for me but I haven’t hunted CO for elk since about 1999 or maybe 2000. I have 17 points but should have a lot more since I started in ‘98. I should have hunted it more when I could since it would only be an hour drive for me.

With 17 points, you should be in pretty good shape in several places. Also, the new rules coming out in 2028 are definitely going to change the process.

 

[hoosierhunter11]

Spent 3 points last year and shot the 5x6 in my pic. Now stacking up some points again but will try to snag a muzzy or archery tag on the returned list in August.

 

[NMBigGame]

As a CO NR, I'm actually in favor of CO eliminating the NR OTC archery tags. Should help spread out the hunters and help CPW better manage the herds.

 

[CMF]

Archery 2nd choice again, if no luck then second, then leftover, still stacking points. Get a tag most years. Just don't know if I'll turn it back now that I have a sheep tag.
I'm definitely not switching to rifle just cause it's draw.

 

[ndbuck09]

While this change does spread hunters out better potentially, the real reason for this is due to the wolf reintroduction. This allows them to limit the hunting in units effectively because they anticipate elk population reductions in 5-10 years just like Idaho. In some ways, it all goes towards the end of limiting and reducing hunting, which is what CPW wants since it is run by a liberal government.

And if you are a hunter who is ok with that, more power to ya but you're on the left side.

 

[bz_711]

While this change does spread hunters out better potentially, the real reason for this is due to the wolf reintroduction. This allows them to limit the hunting in units effectively because they anticipate elk population reductions in 5-10 years just like Idaho. In some ways, it all goes towards the end of limiting and reducing hunting, which is what CPW wants since it is run by a liberal government.

And if you are a hunter who is ok with that, more power to ya but you're on the left side.

We need Dan Gates to be the next CO Governor in '26.

 

[Hnthrdr]

While this change does spread hunters out better potentially, the real reason for this is due to the wolf reintroduction. This allows them to limit the hunting in units effectively because they anticipate elk population reductions in 5-10 years just like Idaho. In some ways, it all goes towards the end of limiting and reducing hunting, which is what CPW wants since it is run by a liberal government.

And if you are a hunter who is ok with that, more power to ya but you're on the left side.

This is accurate

 

[Mad Line]

I just get nervous that everybody is always saying we have to much hunting pressure and in turn we need less tags. Someday it could be tough to go hunting at all. Just want to be cautious we don't back ourselves into a corner.

 

[NMBigGame]

While this change does spread hunters out better potentially, the real reason for this is due to the wolf reintroduction. This allows them to limit the hunting in units effectively because they anticipate elk population reductions in 5-10 years just like Idaho. In some ways, it all goes towards the end of limiting and reducing hunting, which is what CPW wants since it is run by a liberal government.

And if you are a hunter who is ok with that, more power to ya but you're on the left side.

Man that's an extrapolation you made there. Since I'm for a draw system over OTC which I feel allows the state to better manage the individual herds means I'm a leftist against hunting. Cool

 

[Scott7030]

We put in for Muzzleloader 1st choice and archery (Used to be OTC unit) 2nd choice. Looking forward to see what / if we draw.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

While this change does spread hunters out better potentially, the real reason for this is due to the wolf reintroduction. This allows them to limit the hunting in units effectively because they anticipate elk population reductions in 5-10 years just like Idaho. In some ways, it all goes towards the end of limiting and reducing hunting, which is what CPW wants since it is run by a liberal government.

And if you are a hunter who is ok with that, more power to ya but you're on the left side.

Yep and the wolf "units" are already under population objectives for elk.

Now the question is why this wasn't done for 2nd and 3rd since harvest rates are higher.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

They are issuing over 12,000 NR archery licenses across the DAUs. So it's not like that limited that much. Now they are simply forced to spread out

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

CPW is still planning on give out the same number of tags they sold in 2024. So they really aren't addressing the crowding issues.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

CPW is still planning on give out the same number of tags they sold in 2024. So they really aren't addressing the crowding issues.

They just want everybody to have to buy the small game license for free money. It's my understanding that wasn't required for OTC right? I've never done OTC, always leftover/second/reissue.

 

[il_cop]

While this change does spread hunters out better potentially, the real reason for this is due to the wolf reintroduction. This allows them to limit the hunting in units effectively because they anticipate elk population reductions in 5-10 years just like Idaho. In some ways, it all goes towards the end of limiting and reducing hunting, which is what CPW wants since it is run by a liberal government.

And if you are a hunter who is ok with that, more power to ya but you're on the left side.

We've been discussing eliminating NR otc and similar changes since the 2014 input sessions for the 2015-2019 season structure- well before ballot box biology and the reintroduction of wolves.

The 2025-2029 season setting was the first input period following the 2020-2024 structure and the post-covid explosion of archery hunters pouring into Colorado en masse for the last 5 Septembers. CPW took the right step and listened to residents... like me.

I know that's not as provocative or sensational as the "elimination of NR otc archery tags in partnership with wolf reintroduction for the long term purpose of banning all hunting in liberal Colorado" theory, but its the truth.

 

[texastea23]

Another thread made me think of this.
So if you are a NR Archery elk hunter coming to Co this year. Did you put in for archery or did you switch to OTC rifle tags?

Comment on why you made your choice.
Are you saving points? Like having a sure thing when it comes to tags? Ect.

I’m not going elk hunting this year (weddings to attend in Washington State and Connecticut along with a baby due in June drained the elk budget), but I would have still put in for archery. I’d rather go after elk with archery than rifle anyways. Rifle feels more like a deer thing in my head.

I guess in my mind if I have the funds to go elk hunt that year I’m going to apply to try. That goes for every state I apply in as long as there isn’t a good chance of pulling a tag in multiple states. For example I might skip a year if I have points for a general tag in Wyoming.

Long story short, I’m burning points as fast as I can so I get more experience. I’d rather apply just in case you get some dumb luck in a good unit than sit on points for years and waste time you could spend in the field. I also want to add to the point creep issue as little as possible!

I don’t know if that’s the best way to view it if you’re NR, but for me it works.

 

[texastea23]

I’m not going elk hunting this year (weddings to attend in Washington State and Connecticut along with a baby due in June drained the elk budget), but I would have still put in for archery. I’d rather go after elk with archery than rifle anyways. Rifle feels more like a deer thing in my head.

I guess in my mind if I have the funds to go elk hunt that year I’m going to apply to try. That goes for every state I apply in as long as there isn’t a good chance of pulling a tag in multiple states. For example I might skip a year if I have points for a general tag in Wyoming.

Long story short, I’m burning points as fast as I can so I get more experience. I’d rather apply just in case you get some dumb luck in a good unit than sit on points for years and waste time you could spend in the field. I also want to add to the point creep issue as little as possible!

I don’t know if that’s the best way to view it if you’re NR, but for me it works.

Note: I’m from Ohio not Texas

 

[Luked]

I am a newish western hunter.
For me it is more about the experience of just being able to go period.
My first trip west was for Archery. And I had a blast. Didn't bring anything home but sore muscles that taught me a lesson. I learned a ton that is for sure.
I have been banking points for the last few years in CO and WY. I only buy points for 3 species as I know with my age and my budget I wont ever do anything like Moose, Sheep or goats. And honestly isnt really my thing any way.
Ill be going OC for Rifle this year. Mainly jsut so I can go. For me its a vacation away from every day life, and I love the mountains.
Again. More about the experience and learning for me.
I like to Archery hunt. But the last few years I have gotten more into rifles and shooting reloading etc. So with OTC still being on the table for Rifle thats what I plan to do.
For me even if they still had OTC for archery I would still go rifle season.
I completely understand the reasoning behind removing Archery from OTC and I am sure in the next few years the OTC for rifle will go away as well. Hopefully by that time I will have enough points built up for Animals I want to hunt ill still be able to draw a hunt 1 time a year our every other year
I also understand how it upsets some, my older brother is one of them
He is more of a die hard archery guy. So for him not having points it makes it a lot harder to be able to go.
As a NR I see both sides, But I also understand both