Colorado Opportunity Elk

[Zim]

Anyone else trying to burn their NR CO elk points before the 2028 system change? I know I need to dump a pile of deer points this year, but I am not sure if I stand to lose much with only 3 elk points. But I’ll apply for an opportunity type hunt and try to get rid of those this year or next on an archery hunt.

 

[Birddog916]

I'm in the same boat only a few elk points. I'll probably put in for something I won't draw and hope I get a my second choice tag. As a degenerate tag gambler am excited about the possibly drawing a random tag in Colorado.

I'm holding 9 deer points and hope to draw something this season to start fresh for 2028 but if I don't I'm not going to sweat it. Do I really need another average deer hunt? nope but do I need another trophy deer hunt yes....Point creep has been crazy the last few years, and hope to only chase random tags in the future.

 

[Mudranger1]

With 3 points my opinion is you'd be better off waiting and playing the crap shoot game but that's just me

 

[T Chris]

I decided to utilize my elk points last year for a good opportunity muzzy hunt. I took a tasty raghorn and had a blast doing it in a unit with limited hunting pressure. These days chasing trophy units is out of reach for me, so I’m looking for trophy experiences.

 

[Exhausted]

I'll be cashing in my points this year too to go with a group of buddies. Should be a good time. I'm trying to burn all of my points in WY and CO in the coming years.

 

[Zim]

With 3 points my opinion is you'd be better off waiting and playing the crap shoot game but that's just me

Oh I didn’t consider that. You are right. Hafta take that into consideration. I expect I may reach for 4 point units these next two draws, and not worry about it if I don’t draw.

 

[Alabama]

if you are in the low point range, this change could actually help you. You can put in for mid-tier hunts in '28 and at least have a chance to draw. Right now, you have no chance at anything over 3 points. The only constant in life is that things change

You've had some great hunts because you got in when you did, but the system is unsustainable. You can't have preference tags when it's already taking over 30 years to draw some hunts. That's insanity

 

[jdf]

Yes. I am. 12 elk points.
Draw unit this year, hunt it and learn it.
Then my wife will use hers next year to hunt same unit we learn

 

[Zim]

if you are in the low point range, this change could actually help you. You can put in for mid-tier hunts in '28 and at least have a chance to draw. Right now, you have no chance at anything over 3 points. The only constant in life is that things change

You've had some great hunts because you got in when you did, but the system is unsustainable. You can't have preference tags when it's already taking over 30 years to draw some hunts. That's insanity

Right, I recognize that. And CO gives NR a bigger % than they likely should. I’m especially grateful they are giving folks three years notice. That’s huge. Deer is the only thing where I stand to lose value. I also got 29 throw-in pronghorn points but if I remember right there’s so few like 20 NR’s with more so those should not be affected. Just not a big speed goat fan. As for elk, there’s a 1 point 4th season unit where I’ve seen some really nice 300” type bulls in terrain I can handle. So that’s more like why I want to use my 3 points on archery this or next year as I may even draw that 1 point hunt in the random.

 

[T Chris]

I think the change in 2028 is going to contribute to point creep inflation in 2026 and 2027 as everyone asks themselves these questions. Likely what you thought you could get with 3 may take 5 or 6 points until we move to the new system.

 

[Zim]

I think the change in 2028 is going to contribute to point creep inflation in 2026 and 2027 as everyone asks themselves these questions. Likely what you thought you could get with 3 may take 5 or 6 points until we move to the new system.

No question about that.

 

[caddiscrazy]

Sitting on seven elk points. I’m weighing this very thing out. I’m in mid point purgatory. Probably take a swing again at a unit that I should have drawn last year but didn’t. I already have a backup plan in place for deer haha

 

[Bullshot]

I rather wish I only had 3 points vs the points I do. At least then I'd just use them, accumulate a few more and then use them again. I can't put in for CO this year, but hunts that are possible now or within only a few more years are likely to slip multiple points of creep ahead due both the mad dash for tags this year and next, then by the 50% pref quota cuts which will be more painful than most people realize. There are well over a thousand+ people with similar and more points than me and we will all be left fighting for the 50 or so highest quality tags per year. A remaining 5 year wait instantly becomes 10+, 10 becomes 20. Who knows what CPW has up their sleeve by then... another quota cut? More people are just going to die clutching their points and not ever hunting a 1st choice tag.

 

[Zim]

I rather wish I only had 3 points vs the points I do. At least then I'd just use them, accumulate a few more and then use them again. I can't put in for CO this year, but hunts that are possible now or within only a few more years are likely to slip multiple points of creep ahead due both the mad dash for tags this year and next, then by the 50% pref quota cuts which will be more painful than most people realize. There are well over a thousand+ people with similar and more points than me and we will all be left fighting for the 50 or so highest quality tags per year. A remaining 5 year wait instantly becomes 10+, 10 becomes 20. Who knows what CPW has up their sleeve by then... another quota cut? More people are just going to die clutching their points and not ever hunting a 1st choice tag.

I’m waiting for the first state to take the next step of cutting preference quotas to below 50%. Very curious if that will happen some day.

The other big question is the unique system Nevada runs with the squared points. You’d think at some point the 0-5 point holders would get a grasp on how low their odds are, and walk. But that doesn’t seem to be happening? Yet.

 

[Bullshot]

I walked and left points. I'm stupid and optimistic but not enough of one or the other or both in that state.

 

[Lmartin5]

Anyone else trying to burn their NR CO elk points before the 2028 system change? I know I need to dump a pile of deer points this year, but I am not sure if I stand to lose much with only 3 elk points. But I’ll apply for an opportunity type hunt and try to get rid of those this year or next on an archery hunt.

I apologize in advance for the question, but haven't read the updated regulations.

What is changing in 2028?

 

[belshawelk]

I am burning my deer this year. 14 points. Sitting on 16 elk, 14 Antelope. Will burn those next couple years

 

[Elkoholic]

I'm burning 13 elk points this year, and plan to burn deer points in 2027. Then on to burning Wy and MT points, it's been the plan all along to have these points to burn in early retirement years!

 

[Nm252525]

I’m waiting for the first state to take the next step of cutting preference quotas to below 50%. Very curious if that will happen some day.

The other big question is the unique system Nevada runs with the squared points. You’d think at some point the 0-5 point holders would get a grasp on how low their odds are, and walk. But that doesn’t seem to be happening? Yet.

If you look at the odds of how many of those once in a lifetime type hunts end up with someone in that 0-5 pt level you’d be surprised, more than you’d imagine. Got the money you’ve got a change

 

[Bullshot]

I apologize in advance for the question, but haven't read the updated regulations.

What is changing in 2028?

Cutting tags in half, each half drawn differently. 1st half, pref point draw (like now). 2nd half, weighted random (using your pref points for more chances in the hat, but everyone has at least some chance). changes regarding how you gain preference points and whether you have to apply for a hunt code rather than the pref point only code they offer now.