turk870
Well-Known Member
Seen something earlier that said CO just changed to all draw for NR archery elk. For now it looks like 2nd and 3rd gun is still over the counter.
No more OTC in CO
- Thread starter turk870
- Start date
Yep, it's official. They voted yesterday to end it for NR only.
https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/cpw...cle_755b5b7e-22ba-11ef-90b1-8fdfdc615117.html
https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/cpw...cle_755b5b7e-22ba-11ef-90b1-8fdfdc615117.html
I bet its a money grab. Instead of OTC archery, you will now have to put in the draw and pay for that. For most GMU's that are OTC, you will probably draw with 0 or very few points.
CO is trying to catch up with other states on Res -vs- NR, and I also believe the liberal CO governing bodies would gladly like to see the hunting brought to an end.
For the time being, if CO drastically cuts NR tags, then the Residents are going to have to pick up the slack with huge license increases, which in turn could potentially lower the number of resident hunters (which is what the liberal CO folks want)
CO is trying to catch up with other states on Res -vs- NR, and I also believe the liberal CO governing bodies would gladly like to see the hunting brought to an end.
For the time being, if CO drastically cuts NR tags, then the Residents are going to have to pick up the slack with huge license increases, which in turn could potentially lower the number of resident hunters (which is what the liberal CO folks want)
turk870
Well-Known Member
They already kind of do that you have to have a "qualifying" license to apply.
Yeah apparently the gov and his husband are big anti-hunting, they are trying to ban all hunting and trapping of bobcat and my lions, they are currently trying to get enough signatures to put to the people to vote on in November
One article I read said that 20 year trend on 2nd & 3rd rifle NR OTC was down. However the opposite with archery. Last year NR OTC was 53% & Resident was 47% and everyone complained about overcrowding.
Lots of NR do as I used to and use CO for a backup OTC if don't draw another state. Idaho use to be the same way and a better hunt imo, but they broke that up a few years back too.
Lots of NR do as I used to and use CO for a backup OTC if don't draw another state. Idaho use to be the same way and a better hunt imo, but they broke that up a few years back too.
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This is accurate from what I've seen and heard from a distance. NRs are being scorned by residents (many of which are NEW residents) of the western states. These previously sparsely populated states have had a massive influx of new residents recently, much of which want to enjoy the outdoors in all manners, which has caused a big increase/shift in land usage. On top of that, social media has pushed the usage of these lands in all manners so there has been a big push by NRs there as well. BOTH have led to massive upticks in usage, but the NRs are the ones that will get the short end of that stick every time through higher license costs or less tags. But no permit is needed by bikers and hikers so there is no way to regulate that currently.
My point is, it's not JUST a power/money grab by overzealous politicians, they are actually listening to their constituents. The outcome in some cases has been higher revenue though, which has sparked conversations from that angle that may continue to further move the needle in the future
ahhh, the outfitter welfare push
WY outfitters wrapped the percentages up a long time ago ( then NM) and are the ones that force NRs to have a guide when hunting in wilderness areas. Never mind that a NR can fish or hike the wilderness areas anytime without a guide...
CO is also reaping what they have sown. They've always promoted it as the largest elk population in the world, OTC tags, welcomed NR hunters & their $$ with open arms and even managed the herd for numbers and not quality. I started hunting there in 1979 ( all OTC) and have lived thru and adjusted my hunting to whatever the new rule(s) were. Can remember when the locals whined about all the "damn Texans taking over," then it was the California hunters. Now it's turned into Colofornia. They stopped spring bear season years ago, then bitched when their poodles were getting eaten in Vail & Aspen. So they dropped NR fall bear tags to $100 and couldn't hardly give them away, now they have jacked those prices back up too. Won't be long until lions & bears will be protected like the wolves either. Was a good ride for me as I got to enjoy many good trips there, but I'm done. Unless I go with someone to show some hunting spots to, I've spent my last dollar in that state back in 2019.
CO is also reaping what they have sown. They've always promoted it as the largest elk population in the world, OTC tags, welcomed NR hunters & their $$ with open arms and even managed the herd for numbers and not quality. I started hunting there in 1979 ( all OTC) and have lived thru and adjusted my hunting to whatever the new rule(s) were. Can remember when the locals whined about all the "damn Texans taking over," then it was the California hunters. Now it's turned into Colofornia. They stopped spring bear season years ago, then bitched when their poodles were getting eaten in Vail & Aspen. So they dropped NR fall bear tags to $100 and couldn't hardly give them away, now they have jacked those prices back up too. Won't be long until lions & bears will be protected like the wolves either. Was a good ride for me as I got to enjoy many good trips there, but I'm done. Unless I go with someone to show some hunting spots to, I've spent my last dollar in that state back in 2019.
