Strategy for Colorado draw 2026/2027 with pending NR changes

[Hnthrdr]

I'm moving to CO this summer from behind enemy lines, CA. I'm interested to see how this ends up stacking out.

Well if you come bearing non prog left ideals and don’t vote for CA lunacy, I wish you a hearty welcome! If you don’t, then pound sand fella!

 

[S.Clancy]

Reading this thread I can see the grasps of the math is poor in most

 

[Maverick1]

Reading this thread I can see the grasps of the math is poor in most

Please do not be so critical of the math skills of forum users. Otherwise, the forum users will comment on your grasp of the English language.

The sentence is understandable, but the phrasing "grasps of the math" is not standard English. A more natural and grammatically correct way to phrase it would use the word "understanding" or "grasp" (singular).
Here are a few ways to revise the sentence:

• "Reading this thread, I can see the understanding of math is poor in most."
• "Reading this thread, I can see that most people have a poor grasp of the math."
• "Reading this thread, I can see that most people's grasp of math is poor."
• "Reading this thread, I can see that most people have a poor understanding of math."

The current formulation uses "grasps" (plural) in an unusual way that sounds awkward to a native speaker. Using the singular noun "grasp" or the synonym "understanding" makes the sentence sound much more natural.

 

[S.Clancy]

Please do not be so critical of the math skills of forum users. Otherwise, the forum users will comment on your grasp of the English language.

The sentence is understandable, but the phrasing "grasps of the math" is not standard English. A more natural and grammatically correct way to phrase it would use the word "understanding" or "grasp" (singular).
Here are a few ways to revise the sentence:

• "Reading this thread, I can see the understanding of math is poor in most."
• "Reading this thread, I can see that most people have a poor grasp of the math."
• "Reading this thread, I can see that most people's grasp of math is poor."
• "Reading this thread, I can see that most people have a poor understanding of math."

The current formulation uses "grasps" (plural) in an unusual way that sounds awkward to a native speaker. Using the singular noun "grasp" or the synonym "understanding" makes the sentence sound much more natural.

That fine, I from Somalia

 

[Maverick1]

That fine, I from Somalia

Dang it. I was hoping you’d be a Nigerian prince….someone that could help forum users out with their large winnings.

 

[5MilesBack]

Does anybody know what the final outcome was for Bighorn Rams turning back to once in a lifetime or not in 2028? I got one in 2020 so have been sitting out the required 5 years, but can start applying for points again this year. But if they're changing to OIL in '28, I don't want to waste applying for points the next two years for nothing.

 

[Serrano]

License holders who harvest any antlered moose, bighorn sheep ram, or mountain goat on an either-sex license, will not be eligible to draw another male or either-sex license for the same species in the future. Exceptions to this policy include auction and raffle licenses, private land tags issued under the Bighorn Sheep Access Program, and control/special management licenses approved by the Division. This policy change is not retroactive, but applies to license holders moving forward.

 

[bz_711]

Does anybody know what the final outcome was for Bighorn Rams turning back to once in a lifetime or not in 2028? I got one in 2020 so have been sitting out the required 5 years, but can start applying for points again this year. But if they're changing to OIL in '28, I don't want to waste applying for points the next two years for nothing.

Curious on this as well. I'm sitting at 15 total pp and wondered if I tried to draw in '27 if I could restart in '28...don't think I can make it work to try and draw this year.

 

[bz_711]

For elk - the next few years will be hard to pinpoint. The units I watch have creeped .5-1 full PP each of the last few years...don't see that stopping and only getting worse starting in '28.

I also think there will be some great opportunity on the low end units (like 0-1 point units) as guys do not want to "burn" a bunch of points they've accumulated on a low end unit.

For me I don't see any reason to carry more than 1 PP at this point forward (again I'm talking Elk).

Do not forget, there are plenty of elk hunting opportunities available and no reason you can't draw a tag every single fall in the West for elk.

Good Luck to All!

 

[Neckbone]

For elk - the next few years will be hard to pinpoint. The units I watch have creeped .5-1 full PP each of the last few years...don't see that stopping and only getting worse starting in '28.

I also think there will be some great opportunity on the low end units (like 0-1 point units) as guys do not want to "burn" a bunch of points they've accumulated on a low end unit.

For me I don't see any reason to carry more than 1 PP at this point forward (again I'm talking Elk).

Do not forget, there are plenty of elk hunting opportunities available and no reason you can't draw a tag every single fall in the West for elk.

Good Luck to All!

I agree, I think the point creep will be larger 2026 and 2027 due to the draw structure changes. Then 2028, theoretically your point value is cut in half.

I’ve all but decided on applying for mule deer in 2026 with 5 points in a unit that took 3 to draw out last year. Even then I’m not certain I will draw.

I’m sitting on 5 elk points as well. I think starting in 2028 I will put my application in to a premier elk unit every year in hopes I win the lottery in the preference point side. The kind of hunt you drop all other plans to go do.

 

[griebel303]

For the 2025 draw I saw some wild points being burned on a consistent 1 PP Archery unit. It's a lower success unit as well. Highest points I saw dumped were 8 points by a NR, a couple of 4 and 5 points, but it bumped it to needing 3 PP to draw.

 

[resident vs nonresident]

Curious on this as well. I'm sitting at 15 total pp and wondered if I tried to draw in '27 if I could restart in '28...don't think I can make it work to try and draw this year.

Yes 2026/27 are last years to draw before 2028 cut off. Meaning if you get a tag let’s say in 2027 you then wait (or apply for desert) 5 years. After 5 years you can get back into acquiring 3pps necessary to try and draw another Ram tag. But if you draw in 2028 or later you are done.

 

[Blove92]

I hunt in a 1 point cow unit. Drawing a point next year and hopefully a tag after that. I’m really curious what the change is going to do to the lower point units. Maybe drop us to a 0 point unit because people will apply to better units now that they will have a chance to pull something.

 

[Blove92]

For the 2025 draw I saw some wild points being burned on a consistent 1 PP Archery unit. It's a lower success unit as well. Highest points I saw dumped were 8 points by a NR, a couple of 4 and 5 points, but it bumped it to needing 3 PP to draw.

I saw a NR burn 7 deer and 7 elk points on a 1 point unit. His justification was so he could hunt with his friend who couldn’t pull elsewhere.

 

[griebel303]

I saw a NR burn 7 deer and 7 elk points on a 1 point unit. His justification was so he could hunt with his friend who couldn’t pull elsewhere.

Ahh that scenario would make sense

 

[Serrano]

I saw a NR burn 7 deer and 7 elk points on a 1 point unit. His justification was so he could hunt with his friend who couldn’t pull elsewhere.

This is not unusual. It happens every year. I've seen many more points used to draw tags that have leftovers.

 

[5MilesBack]

Yes 2026/27 are last years to draw before 2028 cut off. Meaning if you get a tag let’s say in 2027 you then wait (or apply for desert) 5 years. After 5 years you can get back into acquiring 3pps necessary to try and draw another Ram tag. But if you draw in 2028 or later you are done.

Wait a minute........so you're saying the OIL rams restriction only counts starting with any rams taken in or after 2028? So any taken before 2028 have no bearing on the OIL restriction?

 

[resident vs nonresident]

Wait a minute........so you're saying the OIL rams restriction only counts starting with any rams taken in or after 2028? So any taken before 2028 have no bearing on the OIL restriction?

Correct. With some specific notes.
Desert Ram has been true once in a lifetime for a while now and is pure random draw. (That’s where I will apply next 5years)
RMBS Ram will become once in a lifetime in 2028. Anyone who harvested 2027 or before technically can start over again. So while it’s possible and there are old timers who have hunted more than once in CO for RMBS Ram odds are super low.
I got my Ram this past season (2025). I now have 5 years of NO POINTS accrual waiting period. So I’ll be in the Desert for pure random draw. Then technically in 2031,32,33 I can earn my 3 qualification points so 2034 will be my first eligible year to try and draw RMBS Ram tag. While odds are super low technically it’s possible. And if so lucky that would be my OIL and I’ll be done after that for RMBS Ram opportunity

 

[5MilesBack]

I shot mine in 2020 and have been applying for desert the past 5 years. The 5 years actually went pretty quick. Already time to start applying for points again. Odds be damned. Thanks for this info. I thought I was going to be applying for desert the rest of my life.

 

[resident vs nonresident]

You guys gotta start reading the regulations it’s all in there.
Wait NO don’t apply so I’ll have less competition in 9 years