NR Colorado Archery hunters Poll

[Jdog]

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 dude speaks truth...

 

[cnelk]

The CPW set the NonRes Archery elk quota so high that there wont be difference.

The only difference is NonRes had to choose where they wanted to hunt. No more jumping around from DAU to DAU

 

[Jqualls]

I am not informed enough to know if CPW change has anything to do with wolves or trying to get rid of hunting. I do see anti-hunting agenda every year on ballots or in the legislative sessions and I am convinced Boulder/Denver wants to do away with hunting and it is only a matter of time before they pass some of these measures.

 

[David Kaden]

I am NR archery only hunter. colo has some very good elk hunting and this year I chose to use my five points in a unit with only 13% archery success (29). I could have chosen some other units with better harvest odds but most would require several miles packing into wilderness to get into elk . However I am 72 and not bringing my horses because it is a very long haul. I don't have a wrangler. (thus a lot of my hunting time would be spent taking them to water. moving them for grazing etc.(learned from years of DIY packing)
I have found that a lot of good area within a couple miles of where I can get a car, can, and often does, get bypassed by most hunters. With two weeks to hunt I fully expect to shoot a nice bull.. I have 45 years of bowhunting elk behind me and I work to stay in shape so I can continue several more

 

[Hnthrdr]

I am NR archery only hunter. colo has some very good elk hunting and this year I chose to use my five points in a unit with only 13% archery success (29). I could have chosen some other units with better harvest odds but most would require several miles packing into wilderness to get into elk . However I am 72 and not bringing my horses because it is a very long haul. I don't have a wrangler. (thus a lot of my hunting time would be spent taking them to water. moving them for grazing etc.(learned from years of DIY packing)
I have found that a lot of good area within a couple miles of where I can get a car, can, and often does, get bypassed by most hunters. With two weeks to hunt I fully expect to shoot a nice bull.. I have 45 years of bowhunting elk behind me and I work to stay in shape so I can continue several more

Good for you I’m intimately knowledgeable of the unit you put in for, kind of odd for a NR but hit me up if you like I can point you in the right direction

 

[IrkedCitizen]

That's what CPW was counting on. NR to use their points

 

[Furtrader11]

Whatever the reason for the change in allocation, you have to change your strategy if you want to hunt. I burned my points last year because I figured there is a number of guys sitting on the bench with a bunch of points that will draw the next couple years. The number of NR archery hunters applying in the draw will most likely be higher than average considering they can’t hunt without drawing a tag and no one who hunted OTC archery units will burn their points on an old 0 point OTC unit they have hunted in the past. I think it could be tougher to draw for the next 3-4 years since most of the point accumulators will have to draw or not hunt.

I am excited for 2028 50/50 rules though as a NR as it seems like odds might be a little better with the bonus draw component, potentially allowing you to draw what is now a 3-4 point unit for 2-3 points if you get lucky. Plus, everyone will be cycling their points or going 2nd/3rd season rifle which doesn’t sound that appealing to me. I’m going to be more likely to hunt as often as I can, maybe explore some new units and burn points as fast as I build them.

I'm hopefully going to draw my archery deer tag this year and still get to Colorado. With luck and planning I’m hoping I still get to hunt Colorado every year or every other year. It’s the land of opportunity for non-residents and there are good animals in every unit, even the easy to draw ones.

 

[MerlinAH64]

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

Same