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Colorado Hunt Planner

Scouting for mountain goats in the Gore Range of Colorado

For deer, elk, and antelope, Colorado is on a straight preference point system, meaning whoever applies for a given tag and has the most points gets the tag. By researching preference point statistics on the Division of Wildlife website, you can predict fairly reliably when you'll be eligible to draw a good tag, so can plan your hunts in Colorado with some precision.

For deer and elk, you can apply for a preference point as your first choice, and still draw most general tags as your second choice. This allows you to both build points towards a special hunt, and do a more routine hunt in Colorado every year. Combo hunts work well.

For sheep, goat, and moose, Colorado uses a combination preference and bonus point system. You have to accumulate 3 preference points before you're eligible to draw one of these tags. After you become eligible, you get a "weighted preference point" for every year you apply and fail to draw, giving you an extra chance in the drawing for next year. Trophy quality and odds are both worthwhile.

Colorado, with its vast mountains and expansive high plains, is a classic western state, one which all hunters should make it to at least once.

Applications are due the first week in April for limited tags. The draw results trickle out beginning in May, being posted for premier species such as Sheep, Goat, and Moose first, followed by Elk, Deer, and Antelope.





Species Notes General Tag Quality Limited Tag Quality Odds of Drawing Limited Tags Strategy
Antelope Wyoming is more tempting for a non-trophy hunt, other states are more tempting for a trophy hunt. Good (Archery only) Good Poor Archers should apply for NW corner of state. Rifle hunters should pass.
Elk With the only over-the-counter tags in the west, Colorado is the top choice for a non-trophy hunt. Other states are more tempting for a trophy hunt. Average Good Average to Poor Consider for an over-the-counter non-trophy hunt. Build points for a trophy hunt.
Mule Deer Some of the best trophy opportunities. Decent tags that can be drawn as a 2nd choice. Average Excellent Poor Consider for a non-trophy hunt. Build points for a trophy hunt.
Sheep, Desert Residents only. N/A Excellent Poor Apply for the Rocky Mountain Bighorns instead.
Sheep, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Great tags. N/A Average Average Apply!
Whitetail Typically requires private land access on the eastern plains. N/A Excellent Average Pass.
Mountain Goat Worthwhile quality and odds. N/A Average Good Apply!
Moose Worthwhile quality and odds. N/A Good Average Apply!