Elk in CO

[buckscounty10point]

I am looking to do a trip pit to CO in the fall of 2005 for elk and maybe mule deer for a period of about 3weeks. I have many questions to ask but will try to keep them to a minimum. First, are the muzzleloading elk tags over the counter? If not are they easy to get? How about mule deer? I am looking into hunting in either area 75, 77, or 771. Has anyone had any experience here? This would be a unguided hunt also. I hope you can take some of this jambled info and help me out alittle. Thanks alot.

 

[PoorAim]

I'm no expert on the subject, but I can answer one of your questions.

Muzzleloader elk tags are NOT over the counter in CO.
The draw odds are pretty good overall but as a non-resident
I'm pretty sure your odds are slim if you have zero preference
points, but with only one point, I believe your odds are pretty good.

So my advice to you would be to put in for a point this year, and then in
2005, you would have very good chance of getting a tag.

Here is the CO division of wildlife website. Previous years
draw odds can be found there. FYI the application deadline for submitting this year's point is coming fairly soon - Last year it was April 1. This year's date isn't posted yet, but I bet it will be the same.

http://wildlife.state.co.us

-PA

 

[COHunter]

Its always the first week in April. This year applications will be done Online.

Ditto about getting a point this year if you want to get a Tag in 2005.

I did talk to the Limited licesnce section of the DOW a couple of weeks ago and there's talk that Residents will be given a higher percentage of 1st choice tags from the current 60/40 % there is now during the next 5 years (2005-2009) so that would make the wait even longer if it turns out to be more than just talk.


Good for me though if it happens