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 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Next End
147	DF147L1R	10	1	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
35+	EF035O1M	100	45	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
48+	AF048O1A	20	2	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Archery
4+	EF004P1M	50	9	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
471	EE471O4R	25	2	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
70	EM070O1A	565	234	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Archery
391	EM391O1R	60	8	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
137+	DF137O2R	10	0	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
361	EF361L1R	10	12	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
38	DM038O1M	50	18	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
141	DF141O1R	20	2	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
39+	DM039O1M	150	96	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
411	EF411P5R	100	39	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
122	DF122L1R	25	5	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
143+	DF143L2R	25	1	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
43+	DF043K1M	10	3	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Muzzle
211	DF211S4R	50	9	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
391+	DF391P5R	250	55	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
371	EF371P5R	90	12	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Leftover	Rifle
19	EF019P5R	150	84	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.