That's always been the great thing about CO for both residents and NR's.......having that chance every year with OTC tags, and also being able to save points for a guaranteed draw tag in the future......best of both worlds. But I wouldn't expect those OTC tags to stay around too much longer with the hoards of new people flooding to hunt elk in the West.
In Arizona, there are trends that indicate our OTC deer tags will go the way of the dodo bird sooner than later. I suspect in 3-5 years all deer tags will be a draw.
I can't even remember what year Colorado went to all draw for deer, I think it was in the 90's. In the 80's it was really easy to find big bucks every year.......that was just the expectation back then. Then they had a really bad winter kill year or two and it changed the entire landscape for deer in CO. I pretty much stopped hunting deer at that point.
it might make money from the people who have been putting in for ever and are committed to winning a hunt when they are in a wheel chair, but people who havent been donating money for ever will most likely not start to since they are so far behind. In alaska you used to be able to put in for 1 hunt per animal. Now to make more money off it they allow people to put in for 6 tickets per animal. So instead of getting 5 bucks per person for an animal they could get 30 per animal. Ya its a random lottery and a person could pull a delta bison tag on their first go at it and piss off some older people. I think a random draw would get far more money when your able to put in for an animal multiple times in a single year. I hope i never have to deal with that point crap up here.
There was a wolf reintroduction (2018) on Isle Royal, and wolves have made the trip across the winter ice (sometimes with a little swimming) to the U.P. mainland in the past. No reason to believe it isn't still happening as island populations grow.
That seems to be a popular perception with a lot of folks.........the all or nothing mentality (gotta put in and save my points for that 30 point unit). When in reality, there are several lesser point units worth hunting as many times as you can in a lifetime.
I think the point (no pun intended) is that in the future points will be necessary for hunts that are now general or otc options. It seems like the writing is on the wall that all big game will eventually be draw only, it's almost undeniable for NRs. It's not ideal but I wouldn't be too worried if you are just the average guy that can only take off a few weeks a year to hunt.
11 to be exact, they'll draw out before long but there are 188 lined up right behind with 31 points. It'll take quite awhile to clear the 188 out. Everyone else? Good luck and pray you get lucky in the random. If you're a non-res you're pretty screwed with odds no matter how many points you have and if you're just starting out points will likely not ever amount to much. Treat it like a NM application, cross your fingers, pray and hope to get lucky.
