View Full Version : 2020 Big Game: Deadline is April 7th
Here is your reminder to file for big game. Don't let current events distract you. I'm posting because every year I get distracted and someone posts up and reminds me at the last second.
I don't think I'll draw much this year, so everything might end up over the counter. We'll see though. Good luck everyone.
filled mine out this past weekend. With a freezer full of moose, I applied for more PP's then anything, although my brothers talked me into going rifle elk this year. Been many years since I've gone rifle elk hunting. With 3 of my brothers in camp, should be a good time.
Given the current situation I think there will be fewer applications this year, and due to people who are furloughed, unemployed and financially stressed there will be far fewer hunters. This means better odds to draw limited licenses with less preference points than one might otherwise need. Maybe a chance to draw that trophy managed elk unit, or a moose, sheep or goat tag if you're short on points. Worth thinking about....
hunterhawk
03-24-2020, 20:14
Yup, either way I was going to draw my elk unit this year since im actually using my points.. im just hoping there is also less people too. Should be 10 times less people than my OTC units anyway so im excited.
theGinsue
03-24-2020, 20:34
Here is your reminder to file for big game. Don't let current events distract you. I'm posting because every year I get distracted and someone posts up and reminds me at the last second.
I don't think I'll draw much this year, so everything might end up over the counter. We'll see though. Good luck everyone.
Well, flip, flop and fly....I'd forgotten all about it until your post - Thanks Stu. So danged busy with work and dealing with the repercussions of this pandemic it just slipped my mind.
I just put in for some points, too much uncertainty. And every one of the last years I've been too busy in summer to even consider getting out in the fall.
But thanks for the reminder! Maybe the fishing license will get some use this year.
I'm surprised there haven't been reports of lines of people trying to buy fishing licenses, just in case.
Not to hijack the thread, but how about a little advice?
1. After decades of hunting in numerous states, it now appears that I have to take a Colorado Hunter's Safety Course... Which is great- especially since the ones I was looking at have now been cancelled. There is the online, opt-out test that I can take. Anyone know what that is like?
2. The 2020 Big Game book reads like the US Tax Code. It was confusing enough, but now I am slogging through the PDF version with all of the corrections. This year, I just want to sit on my own land and hunt. What is the simplest way to accomplish that?
1) I took an online class and it is a couple of tests about the basics. Very easy and not very time consuming. Back in normal times, I went in to a live class on Saturday to finish up and I think it was something like two hours and then a live shoot with .22s. All of it was very simple.
2) I'd think the simplest way is to apply for whatever unit your land is in, for the animal you want to hunt. There are private property only tags, but I don't have enough experience to guide you about applying. You can apply for one or the other, then choose the other option as your second, third choice. When browsing large PDFs, don't forget that you can sometimes use Ctrl-F to pop up a search bar, then type in the word or phrase you're looking for and scroll through every time that word shows up in the document. Sometimes that makes things easier. Finally, there is a website that shows you historical data for each area you want to hunt where you can find out about how many points it takes to pull a tag in that area, success rates, etc. I'd use that to see if your chances of drawing a tag change between just the unit your property is in, or if you want to go private property only in that area. Hopefully people with more experience will chime in soon.
Waldo1, if you have 160 acres, or more, of ag. land then you can go to this link and find the information that you're looking for.
https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/landownerpreference.aspx
This year, I just want to sit on my own land and hunt. What is the simplest way to accomplish that?
Just apply for tags in the area where your land is.
Some areas have Private Land Only tags that are listed along with regular tags - application process is identical
I've had good luck drawing Private Land tags for my property.
I believe the link above is the only land owner hunting program in Colorado and contains a list of eligibility requirements.
And yes, the Hunting Books are overly complicated. Takes a bit to get familiar with. Just find the code for the species, method, dates you want and that's all you really need to apply online. Check back over the rules/changes before your hunt starts.
If you can figure out the CPW registration, reservation, and application site, the rest is cake.
What an utter shit show.
Having an existing Reserve America login, which is partly what they use, and trying to get setup on the CPW site was the biggest effing PITA event ever. I had to call and talk to a tech to get it sorted out (this was a few years back when they changed.)
cableguy11
03-27-2020, 10:57
If you can figure out the CPW registration, reservation, and application site, the rest is cake.
What an utter shit show.
Having an existing Reserve America login, which is partly what they use, and trying to get setup on the CPW site was the biggest effing PITA event ever. I had to call and talk to a tech to get it sorted out (this was a few years back when they changed.)
I remember that fiasco, and then again when I had to renew my license.
Not to hijack the thread, but how about a little advice?
1. After decades of hunting in numerous states, it now appears that I have to take a Colorado Hunter's Safety Course... Which is great- especially since the ones I was looking at have now been cancelled. There is the online, opt-out test that I can take. Anyone know what that is like?
2. The 2020 Big Game book reads like the US Tax Code. It was confusing enough, but now I am slogging through the PDF version with all of the corrections. This year, I just want to sit on my own land and hunt. What is the simplest way to accomplish that?
Waldo1, are you saying that you do not have and never needed a hunter safety card in states you've hunted before? If you have one from another state it is valid in Colorado, and it is convenient to have it "verified" at a CPW office so you don't have to carry it in the field. The verification will be printed on your license.
Just signed up for my Deer and Pronghorn, going for an Elk preference point and OTC when the time comes. 2 days left!
And... Spring turkey starts this Saturday!!!
Deadline is tomorrow. Don't forget like me. Almost missed it this year.
Deadline is 8:00pm mountain time!
Got it in today. Did Elk, Deer, and Pronghorn.
Kinda hoping I don't draw all 3, cus the non-res fee is gonna be more than I really want to spend. But, being put in as non-res, since I just moved back, I might not draw anything -- I need to look at past draw stats on the areas I chose to guestimate my chances.
If that's the case, I'll do OTC elk archery.
I procrastinated but got it done yesterday for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bear. I haven't missed hunting elk in 37 years, and hunted a few seasons before then, but not every year.
80805
Lots of changes this year, and I really shouldn't have waited to read them all until now. Going to try putting in for Pronghorn down near Alamosa (where my wife bought some land) instead of up in Pawnee like usual. The moose changes are a little confusing. Well, the options aren't confusing, I just don't know where I should look for moose. I feel like 28 and 38 are probably pretty popular areas to go, but those are where I know.
Lots of changes this year, and I really shouldn't have waited to read them all until now. Going to try putting in for Pronghorn down near Alamosa (where my wife bought some land) instead of up in Pawnee like usual. The moose changes are a little confusing. Well, the options aren't confusing, I just don't know where I should look for moose. I feel like 28 and 38 are probably pretty popular areas to go, but those are where I know.
38 should be good, I've seen moose there, but if you draw 29* or 20 I can help you find moose.
Not sure where to put in yet. I'd of course let you, and everyone I've ever met, know if I actually drew.
Anyone know about antelope down the south part of 82? For some reason I can't find the animal layer in OnX anymore. Looks like prime antelope habitat though.
Little Dutch
04-06-2020, 22:11
Thanks for the reminder. I kept putting it off because I was debating on a moose point. It's so friggen expensive to hunt I wasn't sure I wanted to toss an extra $50 out the door.
Little Dutch
04-06-2020, 22:17
Waldo1, if you have 160 acres, or more, of ag. land then you can go to this link and find the information that you're looking for.
https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/landownerpreference.aspx
I have a friend with an original 160 acre stretch. The land was surveyed at ... wait for it ... 159.9 acres. The CPW won't give him a private land tag. It would be funny if it weren't tragic.
Turns out you need 7 points to draw in GMU 82 for Pronghorn. I've barely even been hunting for that many years so far. I guess I'll try somewhere else. Where I usually hunt is every other year for a buck, but there are only two places to hunt the entire unit so it's super crowded. I'll try something new this year.
whitewalrus
04-06-2020, 22:46
Turns out you need 7 points to draw in GMU 82 for Pronghorn. I've barely even been hunting for that many years so far. I guess I'll try somewhere else. Where I usually hunt is every other year for a buck, but there are only two places to hunt the entire unit so it's super crowded. I'll try something new this year.
May want to try this year. COVID May keep people from putting in. Could be the year you get it with less.
I skipped applying for 82 on antelope this year. I did notice that with Deer, Elk, and Antelope, there is no longer an option to get a point if you don't draw. That seems like 1) a lot of bullshit, 2) maybe an attempt to end the point creep issue we have? Either way, I don't like it at all.
hunterhawk
04-07-2020, 04:48
Irving you will automatically get a point if you dont draw.. and its set up different this year because of the 2nd draw instead of just the regular leftover list.
I was elk hunting 38 last year during archery season and ran in to more moose hunters at the trailhead than elk hunters. Saw a ton of moose sign though.
whitewalrus
04-07-2020, 08:00
I skipped applying for 82 on antelope this year. I did notice that with Deer, Elk, and Antelope, there is no longer an option to get a point if you don't draw. That seems like 1) a lot of bullshit, 2) maybe an attempt to end the point creep issue we have? Either way, I don't like it at all.
You will for the primary draw. There is now a secondary draw - probably to get another $7 out of you for the leftover tags. It would make it easier for those who couldn?t be online/in line/on phone the day they go on sale. Secondary doesn?t use or gain pref points.
I thought I read all the new changes, but apparently completely missed the secondary draw. Can someone provide a link or a quick break down?
I thought I read all the new changes, but apparently completely missed the secondary draw. Can someone provide a link or a quick break down?
https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf
https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf
Page 4 breaks it down, Irving.
Well, once again I didn't get drawn for my deer or antelope choices.. I applied for points for elk and got those so there is that. ;)
How did everyone else do?
How are you checking so early? I thought they changed the backdoor.
bkincaid
05-08-2020, 19:58
Well, once again I didn't get drawn for my deer or antelope choices.. I applied for points for elk and got those so there is that. ;)
How did everyone else do?
I thought the deer, elk, bear, antelope and moose results were not scheduled to be posted for June 1-5? How did you already find out you were unsuccessful for deer and antelope? Inquiring minds want to know...is there an early backdoor method to check like there used to be several years ago??
How are you checking so early? I thought they changed the backdoor.
I got an email from CPW today showing my credit card charges.. but now that I go back and look I don't see it.. Maybe my email account was hosed for a minute and was showing my initial purchase email though that would be weird. WTF? that's weird. It was showing right along with a couple legitimate emails that I received and now it's not.
Do NOT mess with us like this! There's not much to look forward to these days except draw results.
Ok, tomorrow’s the day when results start coming in.. I promise this time.. ;)
If I start getting hit with multiple NR charges, I’ll let y’all know.
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