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The state of Colorado, when it comes to elk hunting, is the land of opportunity. With half the state offering over-the-counter tags there millions of acres that you can go hunt every single year, and all you have to do is buy a tag at the local sporting good store and go. I strongly urge that anybody that wants to go elk hunting to just go and do it! Pack a bag and a rifle and head off and go elk hunting. But I also urge everyone to utilize the application system to hunt area’s and seasons that you can’t hunt over-the-counter. Every year Colorado holds a drawing for the higher profile tags in the state where thousands of hunters across the country put their name in the hat in hopes of drawing the tag of their dreams. For most, these tags are just a dream and one that will not be reached because of point creep and there are just not enough tags and too many hunters. But there are many of these draw hunts that are easy to acquire and really pay off in dividends by offering you a different scenery and a different time of year that you get to be out there. Also, one thing to think about, every deer tag offered in the state is given out through the draw, so if you want to hunt deer in Colorado you will need to go into the draw. 

What I think the single best reason to put in for a limited entry tag is that you know exactly how many guys are going to be in the woods the same time that you are going to be. If a unit only offers 100 tags, there won’t be more than 100 people hunting because that’s all the tags that will be given out. With this information, I can estimate what the pressure is going to be like and that helps me determine where I think my best chances are of finding the game of my choice. With drawing a tag, there is the opportunity to hunt in a time of year that is not possible during the over-the-counter hunts. Muzzleloader, first rifle, and fourth rifle hunts are all drawn, there are not any areas in the state that offer those tags over-the-counter. Each of these seasons has its advantages that may be appealing to you that will draw your interest in putting in for the tag. The later seasons typically see more snow that will push the elk off the high country and into the lower winter grounds where they may be more concentrated. In the earlier seasons, you can hunt elk where they may still be rutting and in the higher country, with a rifle, and not have to compete with the winter weather. 

I love over-the-counter units and what those hunts that they can offer because every year I can tell you that I am going to go elk hunting, but the draw hunts are something that can offer something different and potentially more enjoyable and something I think everybody should be looking at doing every year. Plus application season is just part of the year round hunting season. 

If you have any thoughts please leave them in the comments section at the bottom of the page. 

Thanks for reading, and Hunt Higher

Cody Frankum