PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Eastman
Previously, during the May 2023 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting, the Commission directed staff to form a Draw Process Working Group (DWG), and the DWG has been working since then on these focus topics: draw methods for the Primary and Secondary draws, preference points, the weighted draw for sheep, goat and moose, and the reissue process. Policies that were recommended to remain status quo were not discussed. Recommendations for change were considered by the Commission during the January 8-9, 2025, meeting. Approved policies/regulations will not be implemented until the 2028 draws in order to allow time for draw reprogramming. These policies will also be re-examined every 10 years. This BLOG will highlight:
Draw methods for the Primary and Secondary draws
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose Draw Methods
Draw Type – Bonus Draw
- A 100% bonus draw will be used for all Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep,
mountain goat and moose license hunt codes. This new draw method will
replace the previous weighted draw for these species.
Waiting Periods
- Applicants must hold a minimum of three species-specific preference
points to be eligible to draw a ram Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, bull
moose, or either-sex mountain goat license. There are no minimum point
thresholds in order to draw an antlerless moose, ewe Rocky Mountain
bighorn sheep, or nanny only license.
iii. Group Applications
- Group applications are allowed but are restricted to two members in the
group and both must have the same residency. This is status quo for Rocky
Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goats but expanded to moose and
desert bighorn sheep applicants for consistency.
Once in a Lifetime Harvest
- License holders who harvest any antlered moose, bighorn sheep ram, or
mountain goat on an either-sex license, will not be eligible to draw another
male or either-sex license for the same species in the future (Once-in-a-Lifetime). Exceptions to this policy include auction and raffle licenses, private land tags issued
under the Bighorn Sheep Access Program, and control/special management
licenses approved by the Division. This policy change is not retroactive, but
applies to license holders moving forward. - License holders who harvest any antlered moose, bighorn sheep ram, or
mountain goat, must wait a minimum of 5 years before they are eligible to
reapply for points or for a female license for the same species.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Draw Type – Random Draw
- Status Quo. Fully 100% random draw. No preference points are gained or used for this species.
- This is the proposed draw type for any new limited species draw added in the future.
Application Restrictions
- Group Applications. Group applications are allowed, but are restricted to
two members in the group and both must have the same residency.
- 90/10 hard cap allocation, with residency-specified quota by hunt code.
- Once-in-a lifetime harvest
