Is it just me... Colorado draw summary results

[Dr_flash]

I was just checking out the Colorado draw results, very nice report this year, much better than before. I cant help but notice how, its my perception, the ignorance of Colorado Elk hunters when it comes to the draw. For instance, it takes 7, 8, 20+ etc... preference points to draw a tag, yet hundreds of people blow their first choice for a tag they cannot get with 0 PP?? Then on the other end, a guy or gal spent 19 preference points for a bull tag that required 0 preference points. Dude! 19 PP, you could almost go anywhere in the state and you blew them on a place that has 850 tags and requires no PP, in fact if you had 0 PP you had a 95% chance of getting drawn. I guess i don't understand it...

[Trophyhill]

Point creep is very real and I think guys just give up and go hunt. For probably a list of reasons longer than any thread on the forum. I started over this year. Now I have 1 pp. hopefully I'll draw the unit I got screwed out of last year (work) in a few years.

[longbowelk]

Sometimes people make mistakes filling out the form also, usually they can accommodate that if asked to. Other want to hunt with friends and get over the use of points. But on the flip side I have met people who drew a 17+ unit and were under prepared to be there.

[Vids]

If I just want a point I always apply for a unit I almost certainly won't draw, no reason not to. If by some miracle I draw that hunt, I would definitely make time for it!

[baddaddy]

Flash, I am one of those guys who puts in for a unit that takes 20 points even though I may have only 4 points. Heres why. I'm not looking to draw that unit just get the point and then have a good chance at my real choice that I put at #2. For example I put in for a RFW tag that took 20 plus points. I got the point when I didnt draw it. My #2 choice was a B rifle cow tag with 0 points to draw which I drew and because its a B tag I can still get my OTC either sex tag for Archery. Anyways this is the methoud to my madness. Just my .02

[brun]

I also noticed the person who burned 19 points for an almost sure bet 0 point unit. I am also very puzzled, but have a few guesses. Maybe a mistake and I feel sorry for them if that is the case, but I think they can turn in the tag and get the points back. Maybe someone is very sick or feels they would not be able to hunt a new area and just wants to go a last time in a familiar area? Another possibility is they have access to a private spot they feel holds really good elk in an otherwise average unit? If this is the case I don't know why they wouldn't just apply for another point and try for the one they wanted with the second choice. Doesn't make sense to me either , but those are the best guesses I can come up with.

[Dr_flash]

Baddaddy, i am not trying to make anyone mad or defensive, really just pointing out things i do not understand. If your method works for you, i support you. However here is my stance. If a person just wants a point, then make that your first choice and then go after your second choice (make sure you do your homework here, as various gmus and seasons, especially bulls, dont go to second choice). But if you have 5 points then there is the hybrid draws that give you a chance at hard to draw gmus if there is a tag available for that gmu. I say available because even though a gmu is tagged for a hybrid draw there may not be a tag. I asked a hunt planner why they do that and he did not have an answer. If you have points and its close to the minimun number needed, then i could see that, it may be possible if the applicant pool is smaller than normal. As far as burning points, that is that persons buisness, but i cant think it was a mistake after 19 years of applying. Lets hope they know something we dont, but this scenario played out a few times in various gmus this year. All i know is if i had 19 points i would not have burned them in a 0 point area with a 95+ % chance of drawing the tag. Thats just the engineer in me...

[baddaddy]

Flash, No offense taken. I too am looking to the hybrid draws. Just a different way of getting the PP and possibly your second choice. I mainly hunt for the meat so I don't pass on the chance at a cow. I don't know why someone would burn 19 points on a 0 point unit either. It makes more sense to put in for the preference point and put the ) point unit as a second choice so you didn't burn the points. Just my .02. Again no offense taken at all.

[Dr_flash]

Good news baddaddy, i was hoping i didnt hurt anyones feelings. I'm also a meat hunter as well, we always got cow tags. Unfortunately my old stomping grounds now have GMU 66 and 65 boundaries running right through the middle of it and you cannot get a tag thats good for both units. Plus, we used to get cow tags every year, now, in that unit it takes a few points to even draw that. While i was in college, my dad and his buddies started hunting GMU49 archery and ML, then word got out and now its crazy there too. Colorado has just gotten crazy... But there are still places to go. I've been trying to help my brother in law, teaching him how to read the stats, how to tell if you have a shot at a tag if its your second, third or fourth choice, etc... its taking patience.

[baddaddy]

I know what you mean Flash. I normally hunt 62 for archery and anywhere between Rangely and Meeker for a 4th season cow. This year I'm mixing it up and will hunt the Grand Mesa for a cow 1st season. Still have not decided on 62 or the Mesa for Archery.