East Coast Hunter, trying to clarify OTC Rifle tags in colorado.

[Camino]

My apologies if this was already discussed somewhere, I searched pages of Threads to no avail. Myself and 3 friends are planning a trip out to Colorado on OTC Rifle Elk tags. I've downloaded and read through the 2025 Big game brochure countless times, and I'm looking for some clarification as to what will be available to us as non residents on OTC tags. The way the brochure reads, Cow tags are only available OTC for the plains (East of I-25). and the maps listed only show what Units are available for 2nd and third season Bull Elk. Am i missing something in regards to 1st rifle season being draw only? Is it possible to get Either sex OTC Rifle tags for second and third season, that have a wide range of GMUS, or are they all limited draw units? We have hunted the east coast all our lives, and at 30, we have the means to make a big game hunt out west a reality, so just trying to capitalize on our time spent. We are all looking at it as, success is success, if it includes horns on the wall, that's just the cherry on top. We are looking at the 2026 season, so we have ample time to prepare.

 

[justinspicher]

PM Sent.

 

[Deerhunter6250]

Look at page 40 in the Colorado hunting brochure which is online. The units that are over the counter rifle this year most likely will be next year. If you'd get a PP this year, then you could look at units that take one point to draw to give you more options. Good luck. Get in shape physically and mentally it's a great challenge and tons of fun. Have good dependable gear.

 

[Camino]

Look at page 40 in the Colorado hunting brochure which is online. The units that are over the counter rifle this year most likely will be next year. If you'd get a PP this year, then you could look at units that take one point to draw to give you more options. Good luck. Get in shape physically and mentally it's a great challenge and tons of fun. Have good dependable gear.

Yeah, I wasn’t understanding where first rifle fit into it, but now I realize that it’s draw only, if I apply for a PP today , will it count as 2025 season or 2024?

 

[The_Jim]

If you apply for a point this year (2025) it will be awarded to you when the draw happens, so you will go into the 2026 draw with 1 point.

 

[LongWayAround]

There are no OTC either sex rifle tags, but you could easily draw cow tags for 2nd/3rd rifle. Assuming you wanted to buy OTC bull tags and have cow tags also.

Either sex tags are only available on a limited basis, but they can be an easy draw.

 

[NICKJ]

Simple version.
OTC rifle tags are bull tags only.
1st and 4th are draw.
Cows are draw also

 

[Camino]

There are no OTC either sex rifle tags, but you could easily draw cow tags for 2nd/3rd rifle. Assuming you wanted to buy OTC bull tags and have cow tags also.

Either sex tags are only available on a limited basis, but they can be an easy draw.

I know I saw it somewhere while combing through info, but is there a place I can find the hard data on what units would have easy to draw either sex tags?

 

[Deerhunter6250]

Not really you need to go to Colorado fish and game and look through the hunting statistics or if you have go hunt you can look there.

 

[wildwilderness]

I know I saw it somewhere while combing through info, but is there a place I can find the hard data on what units would have easy to draw either sex tags?

Yes the state publishes all draw results etc as mentioned in the statistics section, hunt recaps.

There is a learning curve to reading them but all the data is there. You can also pay to get draw data at a number of websites that advertise such services.

 

[LongWayAround]

The draw recap reports.

CPW website, statistics, elk statistics, draw recap

You can see exactly how many tags were allocated and at what point level.

You can scroll through this list, or look at the brochure and look up the specific hunt codes

 

[westonhoma]

Colorado NR OTC elk tags are only for 2nd and 3 rifle seasons now. Bull only , with antler restriction. (See below). Reference page 40 of digest for what units you can go to. Dont over complicate it. Pick a unit, pick up the tag from walmart out there on your way or online, and get after it.

 

[davsco]

stupid question on the antler pic above! if the brow tines were each less than 5", that would not be a legal bull as it has less than four points on either antler (two on each)?

 

[westonhoma]

stupid question on the antler pic above! if the brow tines were each less than 5", that would not be a legal bull as it has less than four points on either antler (two on each)?

I do not beleive that is correct

 

[intunegp]

stupid question on the antler pic above! if the brow tines were each less than 5", that would not be a legal bull as it has less than four points on either antler (two on each)?

The bull in the picture is a legal bull. It has 4 points on at least one (in this case, each) side. When counting points, a point is any projection that is at least 1 inch long and longer than the width of it's base, which includes brow tines. Brow tines are points if they meet that 1"/wider than the width of their base requirement. If it has less than four of those on each side, but the brow tine is 5" or more, it is still a legal bull. It must meet one requirement or the other.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

stupid question on the antler pic above! if the brow tines were each less than 5", that would not be a legal bull as it has less than four points on either antler (two on each)?

it does not say BOTH, it says OR

 

[westonhoma]

Yes , these gentlemen are correct

I wander tho how many guys have a 3 pt in their crosshairs at 300 yards and think "oh that brow tine is at least 5 inch" then they pull the trigger..

I think the 5" brow tine "covers" u if u swear u saw 4 pts on the bull but it turned out to be a "bigger three". A bull like that would most likely how a brow 5" or greater

 

[davsco]

The bull in the picture is a legal bull. It has 4 points on at least one (in this case, each) side. When counting points, a point is any projection that is at least 1 inch long and longer than the width of it's base, which includes brow tines. Brow tines are points if they meet that 1"/wider than the width of their base requirement. If it has less than four of those on each side, but the brow tine is 5" or more, it is still a legal bull. It must meet one requirement or the other.

aha, so 'points' includes 'brow tines.' they seem to differentiate them in the wording so i wasn't sure. thanks!!

so the two points on one side plus the two brow tines on the same side equals four points. see, i'd call that an 8 pointer, but i guess out west has different terminology than back east as Colo calls that a four point bull.

 

[davsco]

it does not say BOTH, it says OR

didn't answer my question as my hypothetical had the brow points at less than 5". so the "or" wasn't relevant. now that i understand that points include tines, i can see that is indeed legal. thx

 

[SuperDUECE22]

didn't answer my question as my hypothetical had the brow points at less than 5". so the "or" wasn't relevant. now that i understand that points include tines, i can see that is indeed legal. thx