Anyone apply for Colorado points?

[Craig]

Has anyone bought the Non res fishing lisence for $56 so you don't have to pay the $40 for each big game with the points only option? Did it work fine? 

[elkaholic123]

I just applied for an elk tag....first time with no points but it should be a 100% draw area? We will see 

[bigtex]

I just applied for an elk tag....first time with no points but it should be a 100% draw area? We will see 

What area? I applied for deer and bear last year which should have been a shoe-in with no points..Didn't get drawn 

[elkaholic123]

Unit 54 3rd season

[180-GRAIN]

Applied for deer and elk points only. Will let them ride next year.

[Bigshooter]

I bought another deer pt.  That makes 10 for next year.  I did not buy the fishing license since I only applied for one species.

[Bean Counter]

I bought a point for deer. It was tempting to jump into the points game for bighorns and other animals, but I've decided for the most part to turn my nose at that state of socialists and commies.

[cem3434]

I am thinking about jumping on the bandwagon and starting to buy deer and elk points in CO this year. I have done some research, but I'm still unclear on how their hole system works. It appears as though their system is very similar to WY, other than the number of seasons in each GMU. 

I have found that if you are not drawn for your first choice, you can still draw a tag without losing your points. Most of the early season rifle tags take 15+ points to draw, so it looks like I have a few years of applying before I can even think about pulling one of the great tags. They do appear to have several bull and cow tags that are relatively easy to draw on a 2nd choice that still have good harvest opportunities.

Here are a couple of questions that I have for guys/gals that have previously applied:
1. Can you just buy points without actually putting in for tags if you have never applied before?
2. If so, can you still participate in buying OTC tags when they go on sale in August?
3. If I do put in for tags, how do I determined what areas have good public access for a DIY hunt?

[bigtex]

Here are a couple of questions that I have for guys/gals that have previously applied:
1. Can you just buy points without actually putting in for tags if you have never applied before?
2. If so, can you still participate in buying OTC tags when they go on sale in August?
3. If I do put in for tags, how do I determined what areas have good public access for a DIY hunt?

1- Yes you can just buy points without previously hunted before
2- Yes you can put in for points and then buy an OTC tag
3- Colorado is a public land state. Basically west of I-25 is all public land. Even on Google you can see all of the USFS land west of I-25, however there is a TON of BLM land as well west of 25. Colorado doesn't really have state land like WA does, there are some state "wildlife areas" but they are typically no more than a couple hundred acres, there's no "wildlife areas" that are several thousand acres in size like WDFW has. So basically all you have to do is find a unit, pull up the maps which are on the CO Div of Parks and Wildlife website and show the public lands and just make sure there is public land. But generally speaking, if your hunting west of I-25 then there will be good public land access.

[cem3434]

Thanks Bigtex, your information and knowledge is much appreciated! 

[Bean Counter]

CO isn't really known for quality elk. Somehow there are NRs with more than 2 decades worth of points. I think I'll pass on signing up for that.

[Skyvalhunter]

In for sheep, deer, and elk

[whacker1]

It doesn't seem like anyone is answering the question of the original poster.  I am wondering the same question:

So to clarify:

Colorado has a new $40 per species preference point.  The question is, does purchase of a $56 non resident fishing license get you out of paying the $40 per species preference point?  Obviously if you are applying for more than 1 species you would be at increments of $80, $120, etc. at per species so the $56 nonresident fishing license would be less than those options.

Anyone have any definitive answers on this scenario?

[threedwizard]

My research is you MUST pay the $40 dollar fee. I've always bought points the past 8 years and have had to buy for the whole tag up front and wait for a refund. I'll send them my $40 dollars and let it ride a few more years before I hunt a deer there.

[Bigshooter]

There was a thread on Monster Muleys or Eastmans where guys where saying that they bought the fishing license and didn't have to pay the $40 per species.