Colorado Hunting Preference Points Online

The tool below will provide invaluable insights for Colorado hunters, covering everything from how the Preference Point System works to the strategies for increasing your probability of drawing a future license. Our goal is to provide you with an easy-to-read, searchable resource that goes beyond the limitations of traditional PDF guides.

unit	Hunt Code	quota	applicants	adult_res	adult_nr	youth_res	youth_nr	season
Start Prev 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 Next End
501	DM501O4R	30	149	5 Pref Points	8 Pref Points	6 Pref Points	No Apps	Rifle
23	DF023W1R	2	6	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	No Apps	RFW
66	EM066O1M	35	158	5 Pref Points	15 Pref Points	No Apps	None Drawn	Muzzle
20	EM020L1R	55	252	5 Pref Points	7 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	None Drawn	Rifle
49	EM049O2R	140	447	5 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	None Drawn	Rifle
69+	EM069O1R	70	445	5 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
76	EM076O2R	60	399	5 Pref Points	13 Pref Points	6 Pref Points	None Drawn	Rifle
76	EM076O3R	30	199	5 Pref Points	10 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
501	EM501O1R	25	201	5 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	6 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	Rifle
851	EE851K3R	2	45	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	Rifle
4+	EE004W2R	12	122	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
5	EF005W3R	12	127	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
12+	EE012W1R	8	66	5 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	RFW
85	EF085W1R	9	54	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
104+	EF104W1R	13	61	5 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	RFW
214+	EE214W2R	13	84	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
441+	EE441W3R	7	33	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
66	AM066O1A	4	20	5 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	Archery
68+	AM068O1A	5	38	5 Pref Points	14 Pref Points	No Apps	None Drawn	Archery
3+	AM003O1M	30	120	5 Pref Points	5 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Muzzle

Understanding the Preference Point System

The Preference Point System is a pivotal tool used in managing Colorado’s diverse big-game animals. It's based on a quota system, limiting the number of hunting licenses issued in most game management units (GMUs). When applying for a limited license, you earn a preference point if you're unsuccessful in drawing your first-choice hunt code. These points then provide a mathematical advantage when applied to future license drawings.

Key Terms for Hunting in Colorado

Before you delve into the system, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with a few key terms:

Preference Points: Points awarded to hunters when they are unsuccessful in drawing their first-choice hunt code.
Hunt Codes: Eight-character codes used to designate species, sex, GMU, season, and method of harvest. A perfect guide to your hunting experience.
Game Management Units (GMUs): Designated areas of land used for wildlife management purposes, crucial for maintaining the balance of Colorado hunting.

Applying for a Limited License for Hunting

Applying for a limited hunting license involves specifying your preferred hunt codes. A preference point is awarded for unsuccessful applications for a first-choice hunt code or for hunters using a preference point hunt code as their first choice. Remember, preference points are only used and gained through the primary draw, making every application count.

How Preference Points Impact Your Future Draws

For big game like elk, deer, pronghorn, or bear, you will accumulate preference points until you are successful in drawing a first-choice license. If you draw your first choice, your preference points drop down to zero, regardless of the minimum number of points it takes to draw in a specific unit. This system maintains the fairness and competitive spirit of the Colorado hunting experience.

Our Searchable Online Tool for Colorado Hunting

Unlike other resources that provide this information in a static PDF, we offer an interactive online tool that makes it easy to search and sort the table of hunt codes. This tool allows you to view the preference points associated with each hunting unit, filter through quotas, applicants, adult_res, adult_nr, youth_res, youth_nr, and season, and sort them based on your needs.

Conclusion

Understanding the 2023 Colorado Hunting Annual Preference Point Issue is crucial for anyone looking to apply for a limited license for hunting in Colorado. We hope this guide has provided you with the information you need. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us.