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“Yes! It finally arrived,” I said, as I began thumbing through the new 2012/2013 Big Game hunting regulations brochure. “This is going to be the year that I draw all my dream hunting tags,” I thought to myself. Consistently drawing quality, Big Game hunting tags in Colorado (or most other western states, for that matter) is not a perchance experience, nor does it require three wishes from Aladdin’s genie. Instead, it requires strategy, upfront research, and a willingness to try new things. Follow my advice, and you’ll have more success in the Colorado hunting lottery and more than likely, more enjoyable hunting trips.
How it Works
Before you begin applying for Big Game licenses in Colorado, you need to understand how the system works. Colorado’s lands are divided up into many GMU’s (game management units), and licenses are only good for the unit(s) and time period specified. There are early, middle, and late season hunts which are specified in the hunting brochure. These licenses are divided into two types: “draw only licenses” and “OTC” or “over the counter licenses”. Draw only licenses, like the name sounds, can only be drawn in the statewide lottery. There are a limited number of these tags, and so inevitably, some people that apply will be unsuccessful in drawing them. So the downside is that you may not draw the tag, but the upside is that the hunting pressure will be much more limited. If you are unsuccessful in drawing your tag, however, you can earn “preference points” for that particular species. The more preference points you have, the better chance you have of drawing a tag.
OTC licenses are unlimited and can be purchased from any Big Game license distributor. They are only available in certain GMU’s, and currently, OTC licenses are available for only elk and pronghorn. Pronghorn OTC license are only available for archery season, and elk OTC licenses are available for archery and second/third season rifle. OTC licenses have their benefit as well as their difficulties. On the positive side, it guarantees you a tag and a chance to hunt. On the flip side, tags are unlimited and therefore hunting pressure is usually higher.
Strategies
As I said earlier, strategy plays a key role in successful Big Game hunting applications. That strategy is twofold:
(1) Earn preference points every year for every species (even if you’re not planning to hunt them), until you have enough preference points to draw your dream tag. This doesn’t mean stop hunting – instead buy OTC tags as you apply for preference points (or) apply for a preference point on your first choice and put in for a second choice tag that you are pretty sure you’ll draw. This will take research to find less popular hunting areas that you can draw on a second choice, but it can still be done. I have stalked within 100 yards of two 180+ inch mule deer bucks each of the past two years in a GMU that didn’t even give out all the limited tags! It did, however, require hard work during the hunt and a lot of research/scouting.
(2) Hunt a primitive/limited season: archery or muzzleloader. Anyone can go out and shoot a rifle (perhaps an oversimplification, but you get the point). It takes a great deal more skill, however, to stalk within close range of a weary animal, and then deliver a lethal arrow or muzzleloader bullet (in Colorado, muzzleloading is considered a primitive hunting season because a scope is not allowed). Hunting early season has incredible benefits, however. Hunting pressure is a fraction of what it is during rifle seasons, and therefore, you’ll see twice as many animals. Also, if you’re after elk, you’ll be hunting during the rut and have the chance to call in a bull. Calling in a screaming, bugling bull elk is considered one of the most exciting hunts in all of North America.
I hope this helps. Good luck and happy hunting!
Ben Davis - American Sportsman Outfitters
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