Colorado LImited Elk Hunts

[Jimmy Jones]

I'm now looking at Colorado for a Trophy Elk hunt. Since now's the time to apply for a hunt/point. I've found myself a bit confused on the way their system works.

I've found the unit #'s that are "limited hunts", but unlike other states. I can't find a map on their website that show's the units. Also, I've never been elk hunting but it's my dream hunt and I'd love an opportunity at a trophy 6x6. I've waited this long to do it, so in my opinion I'm willing to wait a few more years to get a shot at the best trophy public spots.

So my first questions is very general. What should I be doing this year to put myself in the best position if not this year, a few years from now to hunt in the best trophy elk area?

Another question, I read that Colorado charges $250 (I'm not sure what the exact amount was) to just get a bonus point. Is this true, do they charge that much for a bonus tag?

Anyway, I'm just learning the game for Colorado so any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,

Jimmy Jones
jim_jones75@hotmail.com

 

[Litch]

I don't think you can even think about hunting a Trophy Area in Colorado in a couple of years. As a non-resident, I am guessing you will need at minimum 15pts to draw.
The preference point fee is 25.00 per animal not 250.00
There is a lot of info on their website, but you really need to get a Big Game Booklet for 2007, they just came out. E-mail or call them to mail you a copy.
Good luck and start to do some more research.

 

[trophyfever]

hello jj,

have hunted co quite a bit past 10 years. litch is right , however, any elk is a trophy in my book.
just apply for points(all preference vs bonus,) for all the species you want to hunt and in the future watch the stats(i call the biologist for the area) and they give you good idea of how many points to try and get drawn.

meantime, buy over the counter in general areas unlimited for bull/cow tag and go hunt. there are many unts over the counter for elk, not deer or antelope(only draw).

$250 sounds like a cow tag. i've shot bull with 6 years of pts(but depends on unit) and two over - counter, but you can't be picky. typically, bulls don't grow to be like az, nm, utah.

but but- many of the prime areeas do demand 10 to 15 points. since other states(internet) only collect license fee and then nominal fee for buying point, you can start to collect points for trophy everything. hope yhour young or have kids who hunt.
ps: wyoming is charging high fees forpoint only but this system is new for them so best to get in on ground floor.

the point system will haunt you and becomes a second full time job this time of year if your a so-dcalled trophy hunter-- goodluck

 

[dirtpoor]

Trophyfever is right on but let me add that since you are new to elk hunting if you can you should try to get some elk experience under your belt before you draw that dream tag. Dream tag in hand is no time to be learning about hunting elk. Keep in mind that New Mexico still has a random drawing for big game and you have as good a chance there as anyone else without the wait, good hunting

 

[wmidbrook]

Pony up the $50 for the BiggameCD and then see what your options are for the number of points you have. From word-of-mouth and what research I've done, you can do pretty good both without points and with points if you are willing to target bulls 280 on up...not 350 bulls on up tho. Plus, you can get into areas with high success rates with no or few points if you aren't insistant on a big, big bull.

 

[screesurfer]

JJ,
here's a few things to keep in mind about colorado. Colorado uses a preference point system, not bonus points. Simply put if there are 100 tags for a unit/season then the folks with the most points that apply for that tag get the tag (depending on the split for residents vs non residents). The only way the draw comes in to play is if there are more folks with the maximum amount of points than there are tags.
Like anywhere else in the west there are several units that everyone wants to draw and the preference point demand for these units is so bad that unless you've been putting in since day 1, you'll probably never draw. Now the good part. A whole lot of the state is over the counter for elk. This means that in places that hold elk where access is easy you can be elbow to elbow with other hunters. I've been amazed at some of the places that I've seen other hunters there. But if you're not afraid of a little walk and maybe some climbing you can get a good sized piece of real estate all to yourself.
This year put in for an elk point. I think it'll initially cost you 253.25. The state will keep 3 bucks for the application fee and send you a check back for 250.25 with the rejection letter telling you that you were unsuccessfu in the draw. Then load up and come on out at the end of august and see what all the fuss is about. You need to make a few hunts over the counter to understand what the elevation and situation is going to be like so that when you do draw you'll understand enough to give yourself the chance to be successful.
The colorado outdoors CD is a great resource for research.
Don't get in the trap of accumulating preference points for ever either. Each year great bulls are taken in units that require 2 points or less for non resident hunters.
Good luck,
SS

 

[SDHNTR]

CO is wierd. You can either hunt OTC with no points or it seems to take 8+ points to draw a really good elk unit. There really isn't much in between, at least that is the conclusion I've come to from researching the odds. Having a couple few points really doesn't seem to do you much good. So these guys are right, apply for a point each year so you can at least build them up for several years down the line, but hunt the OTC units in the meantime. You'll gain experience and some pretty good areas can be found OTC if you work at it.