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 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Next End
64+	DE064P6R	50	20	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
7+	DF007O1M	275	162	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
11+	EF011O3R	800	351	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
26	EM026O4R	100	9	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
461	EF461O1M	10	1	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
87	DF087L1R	40	16	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
10	EF010P5R	150	40	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
102	DF102P1R	65	7	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
9	EF009L1R	45	8	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
38	DF038P5R	220	22	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
18+	EF018O1M	80	16	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
143+	DF143O3A	30	0	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Archery
29	DM029O3R	150	39	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
391+	DE391O1A	125	68	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Archery
60	EF060O1R	10	1	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
75+	EE075P1A	100	8	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Archery
4+	EF004P1M	50	9	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
Rifle3	DM034O2R	275	83	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
62	EF062P2R	170	19	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
29	DM029O4R	150	17	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle

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.