Big Game License Distribution

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photo of three elk in a valley at the base of a mountain range at sunset


Please see below for the current status on license distribution topics and updates.



  • In response to the Commission’s request during the March Commission meeting, staff brought back final regulations for approval implementing staff’s recommendation of a 75/25 (Resident (R)/Nonresident (NR)) single allocation for deer, elk, pronghorn, and bear in time for the 2024 seasons.

  • The Commission directed staff to retain the 80/20 (R/NR) allocation split for high demand hunt codes and adopt the proposed 75/25 (R/NR) allocation split for all other hunt codes. Staff will move forward with implementing these regulations for the 2024 seasons.

  • During the March 2023 Commission Meeting, the Commission requested staff bring back preference point banking alternatives for deer, elk, bear, and pronghorn limited licenses. On April 21, staff sent a memo to the Commission, which recommended that CPW maintain the status quo (in which no preference point banking system would be implemented) and outlined the benefits and drawbacks of preference point banking. Staff also outlined two potential preference point banking alternatives for the Commission to consider.

  • During the May 3 Commission meeting, CPW staff presented their recommendation and alternatives on preference point banking to the Commission. The Commission directed staff to maintain the status quo and not implement preference point banking. However, the Commission also requested that staff compile a Working Group (made up of internal staff, members of the public, and commissioners) to discuss perceived issues with the draw system as a whole and develop potential solutions to these issues. CPW staff will bring back potential approaches for this Working Group and effort at the June Commission meeting for Commission review and input.

  • See the full recordings of the May Commission meeting here. *Please note that allocation topics were discussed and decided on during Day 1 (starting at 7:43:00 on 5/3), while preference point banking topics were discussed and decided on during Day 1 (starting at 8:16:00 on 5/3) and the morning of Day 2 (5/4).


Please see below for the current status on license distribution topics and updates.



  • In response to the Commission’s request during the March Commission meeting, staff brought back final regulations for approval implementing staff’s recommendation of a 75/25 (Resident (R)/Nonresident (NR)) single allocation for deer, elk, pronghorn, and bear in time for the 2024 seasons.

  • The Commission directed staff to retain the 80/20 (R/NR) allocation split for high demand hunt codes and adopt the proposed 75/25 (R/NR) allocation split for all other hunt codes. Staff will move forward with implementing these regulations for the 2024 seasons.

  • During the March 2023 Commission Meeting, the Commission requested staff bring back preference point banking alternatives for deer, elk, bear, and pronghorn limited licenses. On April 21, staff sent a memo to the Commission, which recommended that CPW maintain the status quo (in which no preference point banking system would be implemented) and outlined the benefits and drawbacks of preference point banking. Staff also outlined two potential preference point banking alternatives for the Commission to consider.

  • During the May 3 Commission meeting, CPW staff presented their recommendation and alternatives on preference point banking to the Commission. The Commission directed staff to maintain the status quo and not implement preference point banking. However, the Commission also requested that staff compile a Working Group (made up of internal staff, members of the public, and commissioners) to discuss perceived issues with the draw system as a whole and develop potential solutions to these issues. CPW staff will bring back potential approaches for this Working Group and effort at the June Commission meeting for Commission review and input.

  • See the full recordings of the May Commission meeting here. *Please note that allocation topics were discussed and decided on during Day 1 (starting at 7:43:00 on 5/3), while preference point banking topics were discussed and decided on during Day 1 (starting at 8:16:00 on 5/3) and the morning of Day 2 (5/4).

Page last updated: 05 Sep 2023, 01:29 PM