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 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 Next End
2	EM002O1M	10	223	23 Pref Points	29 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Muzzle
10	EM010O1M	5	188	23 Pref Points	28 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Muzzle
10	EE010E1R	32	1475	23 Pref Points	29 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
11	AM011W2R	2	36	23 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
11+	BE011W1R	1	115	23 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
851	DM851W2R	1	59	24 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
201	EE201O1A	10	590	24 Pref Points	29 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Archery
2	EE002E1R	32	1891	24 Pref Points	29 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
23	EE023W1R	2	28	24 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
104+	EE104W1R	3	197	24 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
6+	AE006W1R	2	165	24 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
104+	DE104W1R	2	270	25 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
201	EM201O1M	10	307	25 Pref Points	30 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Muzzle
40	EE040W1R	3	111	25 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
851+	EE851J2R	2	106	25 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
851	EE851W2R	1	76	25 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
201	EE201E1R	28	2080	26 Pref Points	30 Pref Points	None Drawn	None Drawn	Rifle
85	EE085W1R	1	83	26 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
851	EE851W1R	3	182	26 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW
851	DM851W1R	1	122	28 Pref Points	No Apps	No Apps	None Drawn	RFW

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.