Draw Process Working Group

As a resident CO hunter for many years and seeing the increased pressure and point creep I have a few thoughts broken down by category.

Nonresidents
- No OTC or leftover tags for NR
- Align NR tag allocation for all species with other Western states (capped at ~15%), I believe that CO is > 30% with OTC tags, secondary draw, etc. Wyoming just lowered their NR tag allocation to 10% and had a hefty price increase to their NR elk, antelope, and deer tags.

Preference points
- Deer, elk, antelope, bear - would advocate for phasing out by just not issuing any further PPs. Those with PPs can still use them as we do now, but once they're used in a successful draw, they're gone. I just don't see point creep getting any better and feel that a random draw would be more equitable in the long run.
- Moose, goat, sheep - this is tougher mainly due to the cost of purchasing a preference point in an unsuccessful draw. I like the idea of squaring weighted points mentioned by another hunter below, but I could also support a phase out similar to above. Would at least increase NR threshold for weighted points from 3 to 6.

Management
- Required reporting for all harvested big game - makes it easier for biologist to set next year's quotas instead of relying on voluntary surveys. Could extend reporting to 24-48hrs after the close of the season to account for remote units and is similar to other states.
- Push the draw deadline back to after the big game surveys are completed, which would allow hunters to change their application based on Winter kill, predation, disease, etc.

Thank you for taking comments.

I see a lot of resentment towards nonresidents in the comments and while I do understand to an extent, I was born and raised in Colorado and have only been a nonresident for the last few years. I think the rise is nonresident hunters is a good sign. Hunters that are willing to burn vacation time and travel long distance are typically passionate outdoorsman, which I think is good for conservation. In my experience, nonresidents are more focused on the adventure rather than the kill. I see resident hunters mostly upset because they can no longer camp off the side of the road and kill an animals in close proximity and ver a weekend hunt. Whereas a lot of nonresident guys are DIY hunters, packing deep into the back country for several days on end. The animals are in fact adapting to pressure, but residents seem to be upset because the amount of effort to find success has increased. It shouldn’t be a minimal effort for maximum reward kind of mentality. I don’t think taking tags away from dedicated nonresident outdoorsmen is the answer. Hunting has become very political as of late, and optics matter. If the only hunters left in the field are those who only care about easy hunting and hanging trophies on the wall, then it’s bad optics for hunting as a whole. I’ve definitely experienced pressure which is frustrating, but I’ve also been able to adjust my strategy by going deeper, going to places most don’t want to go, staying longer, and working harder in the off-season to bridge that curve to success. If the bar has been raised then we as hunters need to rise up to that bat, not bring it down to our level.

Need to get rid of licenses set aside for NR hunters. I met some hunters this year that were NR and took 3 less years to draw than my 6 it took and I live in said unit. WY got rid of preference to NR hunters and make a much better experience for residents. I would like to see what a lot of states do and if you do not fill a tag in archery, they allow you to hunt in other seasons as well. The overcrowding is really bad with non-hunters as well in September. Too many hikers and people in the woods not hunting that seems to consistently interfere with the hunts.

Get rid of OTC elk tags. Give out more draw tags with heavy preference to residents. The herds are hurting and so are local hunters.

Point creep continues to be a major issue, but I think it's best understood with supply and demand. There will continue to be point creep across the state as long as the demand outweighs the supply. It's time to get rid of things like OTC where you allow hunters to save points and still go hunting. The whole problem with point creep is people aren't using their points. The process needs to force people to use their points or not take hunting opportunities from other people. A limited draw forces more people to use their points instead of banking them while they hunt every year. Points being used up with any choice (1st-4th) in the draw is the easiest way to do this and decrease demand for high point units. You either get a point, or hunt. Simple as that. Imagine standing in line for a gourmet meal while simultaneously eating "lesser quality" food in another line. You either get and want the gourmet food, or you eat the "lesser quality" food. You shouldn't be able to eat from both lines at the same time.

There is a lot of talk about changing the reissue process back to the old way of randomly dropping tags throughout the day and throughout the week. In the first working group meeting there was discussion of waste and leaning out the process. This process of randomly dropping favors those individuals with the most time that can sit and watch the list for hours on end. If people waste hours in the current process, how about the hours of time the previous process took, checking the list every 5 minutes? The current process, although frustrating for some that don't get their license, is the closest thing to "fair" we can get without going into a random drawing for licenses on a weekly or monthly basis. It gets everybody on even playing field. If you have 200 people trying to go for a single license, then there will be 199 people who complain and say their internet was slow, its not fair, or its all a scam, or bots are involved. Please don't let those 199 people overthrow the process and take the opportunity away from the 1 and give it to those that can watch the list for hours on end. I have purchased licenses from the list. I have tried and failed multiple times as well, but I feel it is far superior to the previous method.

There still needs to be some onus on individuals to read, study, and prepare for the draw. I hear a lot that the draw process is confusing and they don't understand it. I personally feel these individuals haven't read the ample amount of material out there to help with the draw. The big game brochure literally walks through EVERY step and explains EVERY tiny detail that needs to be done. Its frustrating because these people who complain fail to read the brochure. Keep the true preference system, don't go to a random drawing or number of times in a hat. Please keep the uniqueness of the true preference system and keep things as they are. Don't ruin the good thing by trying to "simplify" or "hold the hand" of those that can't help themselves and take the time to understand it. There are hundreds of thousands of individuals that get it and apply successfully every year. Can't be that hard.

Lastly, there will never be a system that makes everyone happy. Please don't make a change just to change something. Only make a change if it is the best choice and will benefit the most people. Regardless, people are going to complain and say it isn't fair. The only system that people would say is "FAIR" is to give a license to every person that wants one for any unit and that obviously wouldn't work. If the current process is fine (which I think it is pretty darn close to the best it can be), then stick with it. Don't let the complaints force hands into things.

Thanks for the time.

Get rid of all elk OTC tags. Let people purchase unlimited Bull elk tags through the draw but Colorado should not be a state of last resort when they do not draw in numerous other western states. Also, if they turn in the tag after buying it, impose a 15% fee and refund the difference.

Stop letting people turn in tags, except in emergencies (serious injury/death). See Wyoming. You buy it, then you bought it and spent your preference points.

Start charging preference points for more situations: reissue tags and/or second choice (basically any A tag).

The above strategies might help mitigate point creep, but the pure preference point system will still overload eventually. Consider weighted bonus points (MT), a random portion of the draw (WY), etc.

In general, the CO season structure and overall draw process is one of the best in all the western states. By splitting each species (deer / elk) into 5 or 6 potential seasons provides tremendous opportunity for many sportsmen. It also generates large income for CPW with large numbers of non resident hunters spread out over all those seasons. Also, the preference point system allows people to generally plan on when they may be able to hunt to coordinate with vacation time and other commitments. The muzzleloader season provides a unique opportunity to hunt elk in the rut and early season deer with a firearm. I suggest you keep all of these things in place.
CO does have a predator problem. There are extraordinarily high populations of both black bear and mountain lions. In the recent 4th season hunt I travelled about 10 miles of backcountry roads after a fresh snow and I found 7-8 different lions (unit 84). I saw more lion tracks than deer or elk combined. Good things are being done to increase bear harvest. Lion quotas need to be reevaluated. CPW needs to present facts about mountain lion effects on wildlife populations to the public so these changes are supported.
A change in the last cycle that I am concerned about is moving the 3rd season deer into the rut timeframe without reduction of tags. From my experience the number of mature bucks on the landscape has been significantly reduced. This has taken CO from being one of the best states to hunt mule deer to just another state with mule deer. I encourage the CPW to either move the seasons for mule deer earlier, like they were 5 years ago, or reduce tags for the 3rd season hunt.

For moose sheep and goat, the current system is not as equitable as I believe it could/should be. Squaring a persons points (similar to NV) would increase the odds of people who have contributed to the current draw system. Many of the high point holders will most certainly die before they are successful in drawing one of these OIL tags. Sad but true. Statistical studies show that buying more points after you've reached 10 points only benefits the financial account of the CPW and mi imally in feases the odds to draw but many do not understand this.

As a hunter who has been banking preference points so I may one day be able to hunt in one of the units that are very popular and residing in an area where all archery elk licenses are draw only I would like to see a system where I could hunt in my home area and not forfeit ALL of my accumulated points. A way for me to use one point in an area that one point usually is successful for example.

I do not understand why we would not start with an elimination of non resident otc. This is a logical first step that helps multiple problems at once, preference points and crowding. The amount of non resident hunters in these units is crazy. I am hoping with an allocation adjustment this will be relieved as well.

And for deer, stop shooting two point deer. Just because you drive 1000 miles to hike around does not mean you are entitled to shoot a baby deer.

As a female resident, I have many female friends who would love to get into hunting. A great opportunity is the cpw women hunts, but it can be difficult to get picked. Gettingt tags for friends in a place where I had to draw the tag is hard, especially when they decided to hunt post-draw. I’d recommend only allowing reissue list tags to become available for CO residents to increase the number of new and resident hunters. By doing so, you are able to engage residents in quality hunts and they do not have to fight for a animal in the OTC units with all residents and non residents alike. It also opens up opportunities to bring friends along to hunt in your draw unit if that particular tag happens to become available. Hunting is a way of life for many, and I’d like to see the number of resident hunters continue to grow, while trying to maintain or limit # of out of state hunters. I believe out of state residents deserve a chance to hunt but not at the cost of our residents.

Otc should be only for residents. If we don’t fill a tag we should be allowed for a later season like Utah.

Non-Residents draw only. Separate pool with a specific quota. Raise price of elk tags to $1500 for Non Residents.

Reissue tags should only be available to residents first. After a day all non sold tags would be available to Non Residents.

1. We need to change the reissue process to only residents, or give residents an advantage to getting the tags. In the past when the leftovers/reissues would come out for sale they would only be offered in person or call in. Which gave residents an advantage. Maybe making the reissue tags resident only for the first day then opening them up to everyone the following day.
2. Allow hunters to average their points when applying as a group. This does not hurt anyone other than the high point holder. Almost every state does this.

The draw process itself is easy, why is CPW trying to push a “fix” that isn’t warranted?
All the problems people ane upset over is license allocation between Residents and Nonresidents, that is where the problem is. Make a simple phone call to MT, WY, ID, AZ to inquire how they run license allocations and the problem is solved. Quit trying to Power Point slide your way out of everything

1. Reissue system is a mess. Major bandwith problems at 11am every Wednesday. I believe it leads to dissapointment for many and reward for very few. Return to every 5 minute release and limit to only resident hunters.

2. Get rid of unlimited OTC elk tags for non-residents. Colorado has a monopoly on elk tags and the commercialization of elk hunting. Unfortunately this has led to significant crowding issues in archery, 2nd, and 3rd rifle seasons. I've spoken to many "old timers" and they believe crowding issues are significantly effecting elk behavior. This has led to a reduced elk hunting experience for both residents and non-residents alike. Cap the amount of tags that materially reduces the number of hunters. Colorado is behind the rest of the West in providing preference to residents, establishing quality hunting opportunities and limiting crowding. If the current system continues non-residents will likely stop applying for Colorado OTC anyways- as the hunting experience has deterioriated.

As a Colorado resident, I’ve noticed an extremely high amount of nonresident hunters, literally no elk, no bear, and lots of deer. My suggestion is that CPW looks at tags filled vs nonfilled tags and allow refunds to those nonfilled customers. Next, offer tags to those nonfilled hunters before the nr people. I’ve purchased tags for all 3 animals and have not killed in the last 5 years. I spent well over $500 this year alone. Put the seasons back to longer weeks and roll them over into December if we don’t kill. Offer points for unfilled tags as well!

I have a suggestion regarding the draw in general for unit 84. Opening day of 2nd rifle sounded like WW3 had started. West of I-25, the Mountain Lion population is exploding. Due to this additional pressure, Mt perspective is that unless a tag applicant lives within the unit, the application should be denied for the period of 5yrs. This unit is currently finding an equilibrium that cannot be predicted without the passage of time. I respectfully request that CPW restrict out or state AND out of unit verifiable applicants be denied for 5 yrs at which time the restriction can be removed, provided the health of the various herds are able to sustain hunting at the expected level.

All "OTC" tags should require application in the primary draw by unit, and as 1st choice only, and will use points if the applicant has points. Then OTC should be renamed "general" for nonresidents and be limited by unit.

Returned license program needs to be changed to spread out demand and thwart unfair technological advantages. Going back to the old random addition of tags on a 5 minute cycle is one option. Residents only is another option.

COLRADO NEEDS TO MAKE MAJOR CHANGES TO GET PEOPLE THROUGHT THE SYSTEM AND STOP ALLOWING PEOPLE TO PLAY THE SYSTEM EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THIS IS MY SUGGESTION.

Primary Draw: (Applicant must be in this draw to be considered for ANY license below)
Choice 1 - Takes all Points.
Choice 2 - Takes all Points.
Choice 3 - Takes all Points.
Choice 4 - Takes all Points.

Secondary Draw: (Applicant must have been in the primary draw to be considered for the secondary draw)
Choice 1 - Takes 1/2 applicants Points.
Choice 2 - Takes 1/2 applicants Points.
Choice 3 - Takes 1/2 applicants Points.
Choice 4 - Takes 1/2 applicants Points.

OTC Areas by GMU- Caped for both Residents AND Non-residents by GMU area. OTC licenses MUST be applied for in the Primary or Secondary draw (Choice 1-4) if they intend to hunt OTC GMU Areas.

Tag Surrender: Absolutely NO surrendering of tags for any reason. You draw it, you lose all of your points, and you hunt it, or you don't hunt it. ABSOLUTLEY no turning back in tags. If tags remain after the secondary draw, they shall be destroyed due to the lack of interest in those particular tags.

Re-Issue Process: Completely Eliminated

Preference points: If you are unsuccessful in BOTH the primary AND secondary draw for an A-list tag, you will be awarded a point. If you draw an A-list tag in ANY of the draws you should not be eligible for a preference point for that license year.