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 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 Next End
40	EE040O3R	26	236	9 Pref Points	16 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
40	EE040O4R	20	137	9 Pref Points	16 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
49	EM049O1R	80	629	9 Pref Points	13 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
61	EM061O2R	180	875	9 Pref Points	22 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
5+	EE005W2R	11	66	9 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
25+	EE025W1R	8	95	9 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
66	AM066O1M	1	17	9 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	Muzzle
67	AM067O1M	3	23	9 Pref Points	No Apps	None Drawn	None Drawn	Muzzle
551	AM551O1M	1	11	9 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	Muzzle
3+	AM003O1R	365	2169	9 Pref Points	9 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
201	DM201O2R	25	160	10 Pref Points	20 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
512	DM512S1R	20	145	10 Pref Points	13 Pref Points	No Apps	None Drawn	Rifle
76	EM076O1M	70	476	10 Pref Points	22 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Muzzle
11	AM011O1A	5	52	10 Pref Points	10 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Archery
68+	AM068O1M	10	102	10 Pref Points	19 Pref Points	No Apps	None Drawn	Muzzle
49+	AM049O1R	30	569	10 Pref Points	12 Pref Points	No Apps	None Drawn	Rifle
57+	AM057O1R	55	720	10 Pref Points	10 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
851	BE851O5R	5	24	10 Pref Points	13 Pref Points	No Apps	None Drawn	Rifle
10	DM010O2R	30	318	11 Pref Points	23 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
40	DM040O4R	10	281	11 Pref Points	17 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	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.