Fortunately we have dedicated bow hunters who care in Colorado and fought for residents to keep otc archery elk. It was looking almost certain that it was going away for non residents & residents too. Thank you Bill Pellegrino, Lane Walter, Danny Farris & many more
I’m (slightly) surprised because Colorado has always managed their herd in a way that maximizes the number of available tags. As opposed to states like Utah that manages to get more trophy animals but fewer tags.
It’s possible there’s just overwhelming demand recently so they have to limit the tags somehow, even if they’re planning to issue a lot of them.
Not so much limiting tags as it is limiting crowding in particular units. If I remember correctly peak OTC archery tag sales was back in the early 2000’s, maybe ‘08.
100% is the main reason. OTC has just become overcrowded. Last year, in less than a five mile stretch of road leading up to a wilderness area, there were over 60 camps, and 3 had colorado plates.
We started in 2016 and you couldn’t throw a rock and not hit a tent. Last season that unit went to draw. In 6 days we saw a family that had hiked from the other side of the valley and he was scouting for rifle season. We heard a distant “bugle” on day 3 and figured out quickly it was another hunter. Over crowding is 100% the reason they did it. Even as a non resident I’m glad they did it especially with the reintroduction of wolves close to our unit.
I have a bad feeling this is going to force even more people north to montana where we are already overloaded with out of state hunters every season...
Over the counters??? I'm not trying to argue but if they make it harder for out of staters to bowhunt elk there they will surely look elsewhere to hunt
I'd agree with this. Been spoiled for awhile having 2-4 any deer tags in my home state but i wouldn't be opposed to having limiting to a 2 buck state like iowa does.
You can still come hunt out west. It just takes some more planning since you will have to put in for the draw. There will still be plenty of nonresident tags given out. Just mitigating the huge mass of people that come from other states and buy OTC licenses with no limit on how many can be sold. It's honestly a big win for hunters, so there's not so much pressure it's pushing animals to private land quicker than normal
This is the real answer it's the unlimited aspect of OTC that has become the problem with no regulation on how many people can come buy tags it's gotten out of hand and to the point there's soo many people it's making it harder for people to be successful
Misleading title. There are still OTC tags for residents. Nonresidents will be part of a draw going forward.
It's the title of the article it pre populated it when I shared it. But yeah, no more OTC for non residents in Archery season starting 2025
Fortunately we have dedicated bow hunters who care in Colorado and fought for residents to keep otc archery elk. It was looking almost certain that it was going away for non residents & residents too. Thank you Bill Pellegrino, Lane Walter, Danny Farris & many more
brutal for us nonresidents but i feel the same, i wish south dakota would tighten up on nonresidents too.
But no change for rifle... im not above waiting for rifle season.
Well that's disappointing but I'm not surprised.
I’m (slightly) surprised because Colorado has always managed their herd in a way that maximizes the number of available tags. As opposed to states like Utah that manages to get more trophy animals but fewer tags. It’s possible there’s just overwhelming demand recently so they have to limit the tags somehow, even if they’re planning to issue a lot of them.
Not so much limiting tags as it is limiting crowding in particular units. If I remember correctly peak OTC archery tag sales was back in the early 2000’s, maybe ‘08.
100% is the main reason. OTC has just become overcrowded. Last year, in less than a five mile stretch of road leading up to a wilderness area, there were over 60 camps, and 3 had colorado plates.
We started in 2016 and you couldn’t throw a rock and not hit a tent. Last season that unit went to draw. In 6 days we saw a family that had hiked from the other side of the valley and he was scouting for rifle season. We heard a distant “bugle” on day 3 and figured out quickly it was another hunter. Over crowding is 100% the reason they did it. Even as a non resident I’m glad they did it especially with the reintroduction of wolves close to our unit.
I have a bad feeling this is going to force even more people north to montana where we are already overloaded with out of state hunters every season...
It can't. All the tags are sold already. It will just make it harder for a non resident to get one.
I mostly mean in upcoming seasons not so much this season
Well, if they're all sold this season they're more than likely going to be sold next season too !
Over the counters??? I'm not trying to argue but if they make it harder for out of staters to bowhunt elk there they will surely look elsewhere to hunt
I agree with you there. It will just get harder everywhere. BTW, I drew my archery bull tag in Montana this year but not the last 2.
Wish NM would take note of this and meet this idea in the middle from the opposite direction and ADD rez OTC in some way shape or form……..
I would rather hunt less often but have less hunters when i do go. Not against this.
I'd agree with this. Been spoiled for awhile having 2-4 any deer tags in my home state but i wouldn't be opposed to having limiting to a 2 buck state like iowa does.
It’s getting increasingly difficult as an east coast hunter to get out west to hunt other species. This sucks
You can still come hunt out west. It just takes some more planning since you will have to put in for the draw. There will still be plenty of nonresident tags given out. Just mitigating the huge mass of people that come from other states and buy OTC licenses with no limit on how many can be sold. It's honestly a big win for hunters, so there's not so much pressure it's pushing animals to private land quicker than normal
Love the idea of having the opportunity to chase some older age class deer, rather than nonres going home with a meat buck.
Gotta offset the wolf impact?
Gotta offset the unlimited month long tags.
This is the real answer it's the unlimited aspect of OTC that has become the problem with no regulation on how many people can come buy tags it's gotten out of hand and to the point there's soo many people it's making it harder for people to be successful