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 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Next End
38	DM038P5R	255	47	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
110+	DF110O3M	45	2	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
129	DF129L2R	25	0	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
94	DF094L1R	60	18	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
125+	DF125L2R	20	1	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
110+	DE110O3M	100	1	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
Muzzle	DM109O2M	30	10	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
34	DM034O3R	220	36	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
53	DM053P2R	50	17	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
116+	DF116O2M	10	1	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
52+	DM052P2R	250	96	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
391+	DM391O1M	25	10	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
104	DF104L3R	600	73	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
87	DF087L1R	40	16	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
104	DF104L1R	100	19	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
64+	DE064P6R	50	20	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
60	DF060P3R	5	1	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
136	DF136L1R	10	0	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
116+	DF116O3M	15	0	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
109	DF109O3M	20	0	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	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.