How to Get a Colorado Big Game Tag: 2024 Edition

2024 Edition

Written by Tim Berges, Fall Obsession Regional Coordinator & CO Resident

A preference point is acquired by either applying for a tag for a certain animal and not drawing your first choice, or by applying to draw a preference point with the specific code. Each preference point earned per animal will increase your chances of drawing a tag for that animal. For the year 2024, the process is to buy a qualifying license. Current qualifying licenses are a spring turkey tag or an annual small game license. Most hunters purchase the annual small game license because it is cheaper for both residents and non-residents. Next, you need to buy a habitat stamp and pay an application fee for each animal or preference point you are applying for

The Colorado Draw is open from 3/1/2024 to 4/2/2024 8PM Mountain Time. All Applications Fees below are due when you apply during the dates listed above.

Resident Application Fee Adult:

Small game license: $35.76 (or Spring Turkey Tag: $35.76)
Habitat Stamp: $12.15
Application Fee per Animal: $8.00

Total of $55.91 for 1 animal; add $8.00 per additional animal.

Resident Application Fee Youth (12-17 years old):

Small game license: $1.46 (or Spring Turkey Tag: $18.75)
Habitat Stamp: $12.15
Application Fee per Animal: $8.00

Total of $21.61 (Small game license) or $38.90 (Spring Turkey Tag) for 1 animal; add $8.00 per additional animal.

Non-Resident Application Fee Adult:

Small game license: $98.92 (or Spring Turkey Tag: $183.94)
Habitat Stamp: $12.15
Application Fee per Animal: $10.00

Total of $121.07 (Small game license) or $206.09 (Spring Turkey Tag) for 1 animal; add $10.00 per additional animal.

Non-Resident Application Fee Youth (12-17 years old):

Small game license: $1.46 (or Spring Turkey Tag: $123.21)
Habitat Stamp: $12.15
Application Fee per Animal: $10.00

Total of $23.61 (Small game license) or $145.36 (Spring Turkey Tag) for 1 animal; add $10.00 per additional animal.

A, B, and C tags:

When you look at tags, you will see they have either an A, B, or C under the list column. The type of tag determines how many of that type of tag you can have.

“A tags” are limited to 1 per species
“B tags” are limited up to 2 per species; or 1 A and 1 B tag (you do have to pay for each extra tag)
“C tags” allow as many tags as you a willing to pay for

Will cover this in more detail with each animal and when it could be really helpful to have more than 1 tag.

Deer

Deer tags in Colorado cost:

Resident Adult: $47.91
Resident Youth: $18.45
Non-Resident Adult: $481.52 (includes a fishing license)
Non-Resident Youth: $122.91

If you want to hunt Mule Deer in Colorado there are 5 options to get a tag.

One option is to draw a tag in the primary draw.
If a tag says deer, it is good for mule deer or whitetail. Tags that say DE are either-sex. Tags that say DF are doe only. Lastly, tags that say DM are buck only. The Primary draw is your best chance to get the tag of your choice and your only chance to get a preference point. If you draw a tag during the primary draw, you will pay for it between 05/28/2024 and 6/14/2024. Usually, it just hits the credit card you have on file with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If you do not pay for the tag by 06/14/2024, you will forfeit the tag and any preference points you used to get it. Also, if you do not draw your first-choice tag, you will get a preference point. New this year, you can return any tag you do not want to get your preference points back between 06/01/2024 and 06/03/2024. So, make sure to check your tags by 06/01/2024 so you can return any you do not want without losing your points or having to pay for the tag.
Your second option is to draw a tag in secondary draw.
After the primary draw tags are paid for, a list goes out around 06/20/2024 with all of the remaining tags. The second draw is open from 06/20/2024 to 06/28/2024 at 8 pm mountain time. A few things to know about the second draw; first, preference points are not used at all so you cannot gain or lose preference points for getting a tag in the second draw. Second thing to note is that youth have extreme preference. So if want to take your child hunting they have far better odds of drawing a second draw tag than you do as an adult. It’s a great way to get your child out hunting if the primary draw did not work out. A third thing to know is that you have to have a qualifying license, habitat stamp, and pay the application processing fee for the secondary draw.
Your third option is to get a leftover tag after the draws are over.
Tags left over or returned after the second draw are placed on this list and go on sale on 08/06/2024 at 9:00 AM. There is always a huge line at stores or online to get leftover tags so be prepared with 3-5 choices. The list usually goes out 2 to 4 days before the sale date and time. You do not have to have a qualifying license to buy tags this way, so if the up front fees are your reason for not doing primary or secondary draws, this is a work around.
Your fourth option is to buy a landowner voucher.
10% of tags in units west of I-25 and 15% of tags in units east of I-25 are given to landowners that apply for them. If you buy a tag from a landowner, it gives you access to all of their land in the unit(s) the tag is good for. These are a great option if you decide in June or later that you want to hunt Colorado this year. Landowners find out in early June which tags they drew. Be aware that you still have to buy the tag from a license sales location after you get the voucher from the landowner. “Huntin’ Fool” website has a great listing of landowner tags for sale.
https://www.huntinfool.com/hunt-finder?hunttypes=landowner-tags
Your fifth option is to win an auction or raffle tag.
For any deer there are 2 state wide auction tags and 2 state wide raffle tags. 1 of the auction tags and 1 of the raffle tags are sold / raffled off by The Mule Deer Foundation. The other auction tag is auctioned off by Colorado Mule Deer Association. The other raffle tag is raffled off by Safari Club International, Colorado Chapter.

Fall Obsession’s CEO, Sam Thrash (left) with the Author, Tim and Sam’s 2023 eastern CO Mule Deer

If you want to hunt Whitetail Deer in Colorado, there are 6 options to get a tag.

One option is to draw a tag in the primary draw.
If a tag says deer, it is good for mule deer or whitetail. There are whitetail only tags for most units east of I-25 and a few units west of I-25. All of the whitetail only tags are easier to draw than a buck deer tag in the same unit. One tag option to know about is the Season Choice tag. You can hunt during any part of the season listed with the weapon for that season. This gives you a really long season to fill your tag and gives you the option to archery hunt early and fall back to rifle hunting if you do not fill your tag during archery season. Also, if you do not draw your first-choice tag, you get a preference point. New for this year you can return any tag you draw that you do not want and get your preference points back between 06/01/2024 and 06/03/2024. So, make sure to check your tags by 06/01/2024 so you can return any you do not want without losing your points or having to pay for the tag.
Your second option is to draw a tag in secondary draw.
After the primary draw tags are paid for, a list goes out around 06/20/2024 with all of the remaining tags. The second draw is open from 06/20/2024 to 06/28/2024 at 8 pm mountain time. A few things to know about the second draw; first, preference points are not used at all so you cannot gain or lose preference points for getting a tag in the second draw. Second thing to note is that youth have extreme preference. So if want to take your child hunting they have far better odds of drawing a second draw tag than you do as an adult. It’s a great way to get your child out hunting if the primary draw did not work out. A third thing to know is that you have to have a qualifying license, habitat stamp, and pay the application processing fee for the secondary draw.
Your third option is to get a leftover tag after the draws are over.
Tags left over or returned after the second draw are placed on this list and go on sale on 08/06/2024 at 9:00 AM. There is always a huge line at stores or online to get leftover tags so be prepared with 3-5 choices. The list usually goes out 2 to 4 days before the sale date and time. You do not have to have a qualifying license to buy tags this way, so if the up front fees are your reason for not doing primary or secondary draws, this is a work around.
Your fourth option is to buy an over-the-counter late whitetail either sex tag.
These go on sale 08/06/2024 at 9AM. So same time as the leftover tags. I strongly recommend not trying to buy any over-the-counter tag until at least 08/08/2024, that way the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Computer System will be working properly from getting overloaded when the leftover tags went for sale. There are no limits on over-the-counter tags, so you can even wait until a few days before season opens to buy one. These are all B tags, so you buy 2 of them if you wanted to. The season is 12/01/2024 to 12/31/2024 and it is a rifle season so you have to wear orange or pink no matter what weapon you use.
Your fifth option is to buy a landowner voucher.
10% of tags in units west of I-25 and 15% of tags in units east of I-25 are given to landowners that apply for them. If you buy a tag from a landowner, it gives you access to all of their land in the unit(s) the tag is good for. These are a great option if you decide in June or later that you want to hunt Colorado this year. Landowners find out in early June which tags they drew. Be aware that you still have to buy the tag from a license sales location after you get the voucher from the landowner. “Huntin’ Fool” website has a great listing of landowner tags for sale.
https://www.huntinfool.com/hunt-finder?hunttypes=landowner-tags
Your sixth option is to win an auction or raffle tag.
For any deer there are 2 state wide auction tags and 2 state wide raffle tags. 1 of the auction tags and 1 of the raffle tags are sold / raffled off by The Mule Deer Foundation. The other auction tag is auctioned off by Colorado Mule Deer Association. The other raffle tag is raffled off by Safari Club International, Colorado Chapter.

Elk

Elk tags in Colorado cost:

Resident Adult: $66.12
Resident Youth: $18.45
Non-Resident Adult Bull or Either-Sex: $803.39 (does include a fishing license)
Non-Resident Cow: $803.39 (does include a fishing license)
Non-Resident Youth: $122.91

If you want to hunt Elk in Colorado, there are 11 options to get a tag.

One option is to draw a tag in the primary draw.
This gives you the most options and lets you get a preference point if you do not draw your first choice. New for this year, you can return any tag you draw that you do not want and get your preference points back between 06/01/2024 and 06/03/2024. So, make sure to check your tags by 06/01/2024 so you can return any you do not want without losing your points or having to pay for the tag.
The second option is to draw a tag in the secondary draw.
After the primary draw tags are paid for, a list goes out around 06/20/2024 with all of the remaining tags. The second draw is open from 06/20/2024 to 06/28/2024 at 8 pm mountain time. A few things to know about the second draw; first, preference points are not used at all so you cannot gain or lose preference points for getting a tag in the second draw. Second thing to note is that youth have extreme preference. So if want to take your child hunting, they have way better odds of drawing a second draw tag than you do as an adult. It’s a great way to get your child out hunting if the primary draw did not work out. A third thing to know is that you have to have a qualifying license, habitat stamp, and pay the application processing fee for the secondary draw.
Your third option is to get a leftover tag after the draws are over.
Tags left over or returned after the second draw are placed on this list and go on sale on 08/06/2024 at 9:00 AM. There is always a huge line at stores or online to get leftover tags so be prepared with 3-5 choices. The list usually goes out 2 to 4 days before the sale date and time. You do not have to have a qualifying license to buy tags this way, so if the up front fees are your reason for not doing primary or secondary draws, this is a work around.
Your fourth option is to buy an over-the-counter Archery either sex “A” tag.
These go on sale 08/06/2024 at 9AM. So same time as the leftover tags. I strongly recommend not trying to buy any over-the-counter tag until at least 08/08/2024, that way the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Computer System will be working properly, instead of being overloaded when the leftover tags went on sale. There are no limits on over-the-counter tags, so you can even wait until a few days before the season opens to buy one.
Your fifth option is to buy an over-the-counter Archery Cow “B” tag.
These go on sale 08/06/2024 at 9AM. So same time as the leftover tags. I strongly recommend not trying to buy any over-the-counter tag until at least 08/08/2024, that way the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Computer System will be working properly instead of being overloaded when the leftover tags went on sale. There are no limits on over-the-counter tags, so you can even wait until a few days before the season opens to buy one. These are B tags so you could by 2 of them or one of them, along with any A tag you might already have.
Your sixth option is to buy an over-the-counter 2nd Rifle Bull “A” tag.
These go on sale 08/06/2024 at 9AM. So same time as the leftover tags. I strongly recommend not trying to buy any over-the-counter tag until at least 08/08/2024, that way the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Computer System will be working properly instead of being overloaded when the leftover tags went on sale. There are no limits on over-the-counter tags, so you can even wait until a few days before the season opens to buy one. This is great to add if you have a 2nd Rifle Cow B tag.
Your seventh option is to buy an over-the-counter 3rd Rifle Bull “A” tag.
These go on sale 08/06/2024 at 9AM. So same time as the leftover tags. I strongly recommend not trying to buy any over-the-counter tag until at least 08/08/2024, that way the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Computer System will be working properly instead of being overloaded when the leftover tags went on sale. There are no limits on over-the-counter tags, so you can even wait until a few days before the season opens to buy one. This is great to add if you have a 3rd Rifle Cow B tag.
Your eighth option is to buy an over-the-counter Plains Rifle “C” tag(s).
These are a good option if you own or have access to land in a plains unit with elk on it. Very few elk and almost no public land make this a difficult hunt. You can buy as many of these “C” tags as you want, so if you do have an elk herd living on your property, you could really fill some freezers.
Your ninth option is to buy an over-the-counter Buy Rifle Unit 128 Bull “A” Tag.
This tag is a great option if you own or have access to land in unit 128. Otherwise, this tag is not a good idea as there is almost no public land.
Your tenth option is to buy a landowner voucher.
10% of tags in units west of I-25 and 15% of tags in units east of I-25 are given to landowners that apply for them. If you buy a tag from a landowner, it gives you access to all of their land in the unit(s) the tag is good for. These are a great option if you decide in June or later that you want to hunt Colorado this year. Landowners find out in early June which tags they drew. Be aware that you still have to buy the tag from a license sales place after you get the voucher from the landowner. “Huntin’ Fool” website has a great listing of landowner tags for sale.
https://www.huntinfool.com/hunt-finder?hunttypes=landowner-tags
Your eleventh option is to win an auction or raffle tag.
For Elk there are 2 state wide auction tags and 2 state wide raffle tags. 1 of the auction tags is auctioned off by The Mule Deer Foundation. The other auction tag is auctioned off by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. One of the raffle tags is raffled off by Safari Club International, Colorado Chapter. The other raffle tag is raffled off by Colorado Wildlife Federation.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn tags in Colorado cost:

Resident Adult: $47.91
Resident Youth: $18.45
Non-Resident Adult: $481.52 (does include a fishing license)
Non-Resident Youth: $122.91 (does include a fishing license)

If you want to hunt Pronghorn in Colorado you have 6 options.

One option is to draw a tag in the primary draw.
This gives you the most options and lets you get a preference point if you do not draw your first choice. New for this year, you can return any tag you draw that you do not want to get your preference points back between 06/01/2024 and 06/03/2024. So, make sure to check your tags by 06/01/2024 so you can return any you do not want without losing your points or having to pay for the tag.
The second option is to draw a tag in the secondary draw.
After the primary draw tags are paid for, a list goes out around 06/20/2024 with all of the remaining tags. The second draw is open from 06/24/2024 to 06/28/2024 at 8 pm mountain time. A few things to know about the second draw; first, preference points are not used at all so you cannot gain or lose preference points for getting a tag in the second draw. Second thing to note is that youth have extreme preference. So if want to take your child hunting, they have way better odds of drawing a second draw tag than you do as an adult. It’s a great way to get your child out hunting if the primary draw did not work out. A third thing to know is that you have to have a qualifying license, habitat stamp, and pay the application processing fee for the secondary draw.
Your third option is to get a leftover tag after the draws are over.
Tags left over or returned after the second draw are placed on this list and go on sale on 08/06/2024 at 9:00 AM. There is always a huge line at stores or online to get leftover tags so be prepared with 3-5 choices. The list usually goes out 2 to 4 days before the sale date and time. You do not have to have a qualifying license to buy tags this way, so if the up front fees are your reason for not doing primary or secondary draws, this is a work around.
Your fourth option is to buy an over-the-counter Archery either sex “A” tag.
These go on sale 08/06/2024 at 9AM. So same time as the leftover tags. I strongly recommend not trying to buy any over-the-counter tag until at least 08/08/2024, that way the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Computer System will be working properly, instead of being overloaded when the leftover tags went on sale. There are no limits on over-the-counter tags, so you can even wait until a few days before season opens to buy one. One thing to note on these; they are Buck only from 08/15/2024 to 08/31/2024, and then change to Either-Sex from 09/01/2024 to 09/20/2024.
Your fifth option is to buy a landowner voucher.
10% of tags in units west of I-25 and 15% of tags in units east of I-25 are given to landowners that apply for them. If you buy a tag from a landowner, it gives you access to all of their land in the unit(s) the tag is good for. These are a great option if you decide in June or later that you want to hunt Colorado this year. Landowners find out in early June which tags they drew. Be aware that you still have to buy the tag from a license sales place after you get the voucher from the landowner. “Huntin’ Fool” website has a great listing of landowner tags for sale.
https://www.huntinfool.com/hunt-finder?hunttypes=landowner-tags
Your sixth option is to win an auction or raffle tag.
For Pronghorn, there are 2 state wide auction tags and 2 state wide raffle tags. 1 of the auction tags is auctioned off by The Mule Deer Foundation. The other auction tag is auctioned off by the Muley Fanatic Foundation. One of the raffle tags is raffled off by Safari Club International, Colorado Chapter. The other raffle tag is raffled off by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society.

Bear

Bear tags in Colorado cost:

Resident Adult: $60.05
Resident Youth: $17.85
Non-Resident Adult: $251.75 (does include a fishing license)
Non-Resident Youth: $59.89 (does include a fishing license)

If you want to hunt Bear in Colorado, you have options. One thing to note with Colorado Bear tags is they are all Either-Sex, but you cannot shoot a Sow with cubs. Also, there are no auction or raffle bear tags.

Your first option is to draw a tag in the primary draw.
This gives you the most options and lets you get a preference point if you do not draw your first choice. New for this year, you can return any tag you draw that you do not want to get your preference points back between 06/01/2024 and 06/03/2024. So, make sure to check your tags by 06/01/2024 so you can return any you do not want without losing your points or having to pay for the tag.
The second option is to draw a tag in the secondary draw.
After the primary draw tags are paid for, a list goes out around 06/20/2024 with all of the remaining tags. The second draw is open from 06/20/2024 to 06/28/2024 at 8 pm mountain time. A few things to know about the second draw; first, preference points are not used at all so you cannot gain or lose preference points for getting a tag in the second draw. Second thing to note is that youth have extreme preference. So if want to take your child hunting, they have way better odds of drawing a second draw tag than you do as an adult. It’s a great way to get your child out hunting if the primary draw did not work out. A third thing to know is that you have to have a qualifying license, habitat stamp, and pay the application processing fee for the secondary draw.
Your third option is to get a leftover tag after the draws are over.
Tags left over or returned after the second draw are placed on this list and go on sale on 08/06/2024 at 9:00 AM. There is always a huge line at stores or online to get leftover tags so be prepared with 3-5 choices. The list usually goes out 2 to 4 days before the sale date and time. You do not have to have a qualifying license to buy tags this way, so if the up front fees are your reason for not doing primary or secondary draws, this is a work around.
Your fourth option is to buy an over-the-counter Rifle either sex “A or B” tag.
These go on sale 08/06/2024 at 9AM. So same time as the leftover tags. I strongly recommend not trying to buy any over-the-counter tag until at least 08/08/2024, that way the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Computer System will be working properly, instead of being overloaded when the leftover tags went on sale. There are no limits on over-the-counter tags, so you can even wait until a few days before season opens to buy one.
Your fifth option is to buy an Add on over-the-counter license either sex “A or B” tag.
If you have a Muzzleloader or Archery Deer or Elk tag in certain units you can add on a bear tag for the same dates and weapon as your Deer or Elk tag.
Your sixth option is to buy a Plains Rifle Either Sex “C”.
If you have land access in Plains unit with bears on it this is a great option. If not, it is extremely difficult due to extremely low bear numbers and very limited public land.
Your seventh option is to buy a landowner voucher.
10% of tags in units west of I-25 and 15% of tags in units east of I-25 are given to landowners that apply for them. If you buy a tag from a landowner, it gives you access to all of their land in the unit(s) the tag is good for. These are a great option if you decide in June or later that you want to hunt Colorado this year. Landowners find out in early June which tags they drew. Be aware that you still have to buy the tag from a license sales place after you get the voucher from the landowner. “Huntin’ Fool” website has a great listing of landowner tags for sale.
https://www.huntinfool.com/hunt-finder?hunttypes=landowner-tags

Moose

If you want to hunt Moose in Colorado, you have to have a minimum of 3 preference points before you can draw a tag as an adult. Once you have 3 preference points, each additional point you draw is called a weighted point. Each weighted point increases the chance that you draw a tag. Of the 468 resident adult tags drawn, all but 42 required at least 1 weighted point. A resident moose tag is $366.13. For non-resident adults; 14 of the 50 tags did not need a weighted point. Those tags were all cow moose only, and a non-resident moose tag is $2,686.04 plus fees covered above. Pretty pricy for a cow. Also, to note that each preference point or weighted point has an additional charge. For residents, it is $50 each year to add another point. For non-residents, it is $100 each year to add another point. The charge for the preference or weighted point will hit your credit / debt card on file when the draw results come out in early June.

Realistically, it is at least 4 years before you draw a cow tag and at least 7 years before you draw a bull or either sex tag. You will invest at least $150 as a resident, or $300 as a non-resident to get a tag.

If you want to just draw a preference point, enter P-999-99-P into the application. You do not have to pay for a tag to get a preference point, but you do have to submit the code during the primary draw and pay the fees listed above to apply. That is the $50 (Resident) or $100 (Non-Resident) preference point fee you have to pay when draw results come out in June.

My advice:

Resident:

If you are ok with hunting a cow for at least $500, you should start apply for points / tag now no matter how old you are
If you want to hunt a bull, it will take at least 7 years, but probably closer to 20 years. If you are under 30 years old, I would start applying now. I would also buy a raffle ticket each year.
If you want to hunt a bull and you are 30 to 50 years, old I would see how much a moose hunt in Canada or Alaska would be, and if I could do afford that in the next 10 years. If the answer is yes, I would do that hunt. If the answer is no, I would start applying and hope to get lucky. I would also start buying a raffle ticket for raffle tag every year.
If you want to hunt a bull and you are over 50 years old, I would try to afford a trip to Canada or Alaska, buy raffle tickets, and save to try to afford the auction tag.
Each year 1 tag is raffled off by SCI and one tag is auctioned off by Ducks Unlimited. Usually, the raffle is slightly better odds than the draw. The auction tag is at a live auction and usually goes for over $100,000, so better have a lot of money to buy it.

Non-resident:

If you are ok with hunting a cow for at least $2900 you should start apply for points / tag now no matter how old you are
If you want to hunt a bull, it will take at least 10 years, but probably closer to 25 years. If you are under 30 years old, I would start applying now. I would also buy a raffle ticket each year.
If you want to hunt a bull and you are 30 to 50 years old, I would see how much a moose hunt in Canada or Alaska would be, and if I could do afford that in the next 10 years. If the answer is yes, I would do that hunt. If the answer is no, I would start applying and hope to get lucky. I would also start buying a raffle ticket for the raffle tag every year.
If you want to hunt a bull and you are over 50 years old, I would try to afford a trip to Canada or Alaska, buy raffle tickets, and save to try to afford the auction tag.
Each year, 1 tag is raffled off by Safari Club International, Colorado Chapter and one tag is auctioned off by Ducks Unlimited. Usually, the raffle is slightly better odds than the draw. The auction tag is at a live auction and usually goes for over $100,000 so better have a lot of money to buy it.

Mountain Goat

If you want to hunt Mountain Goat in Colorado, you have to have a minimum of 3 preference points before you can draw a tag as an adult. Once you have 3 preference points, each additional point you draw is called a weighted point. Each weighted point increases the chance that you draw a tag. A non-resident Mountain Goat tag is $2,686.04, or for a resident it is $366.13 plus the fees covered above. Also, note that each preference point or weighted point has an additional charge. For residents, it is $50 each year to add another point. For non-residents, it is $100 each year to add another point. The charge for the preference or weighted point will hit your credit / debt card on file when the draw results come out in early June.

One thing to note is all Mountain Goat Tags are either sex. Mountain goat tags will take 3 preference and 1 weighted point, or up to 3 preference and 20 weighted points. So at least 4 years.

My Advice:

Resident:

If you are under 30 years old, I would start applying now. I would also buy a raffle ticket each year.
If you want to hunt a bull and you are 30 to 50 years old, I would see how much a Mountain Goat hunt in Canada or Alaska would be a see if I could do afford that in the next 10 years. If the answer is yes, I would do that hunt. If the answer is no, I would start applying and hope to get lucky. I would also start buying a raffle ticket for raffle tag every year.
If you are over 50 years old, I would try to afford a trip to Canada or Alaska, buy raffle tickets, and save to try to afford the auction tag.
Each year, 1 tag is raffled off by Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance and one tag is auctioned off by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society. Usually, the raffle is slightly better odds than the draw. The auction tag is at a live auction and usually goes for over $100,000, so better have a lot of money to buy it.

Non-resident:

If you are under 30 years old, I would start applying now. Also, I would buy a raffle ticket each year.
If you are 30 to 50 years old, I would see how much a Mountain Goat hunt in Canada or Alaska would be a see if I could do afford that in the next 10 years. If the answer is yes, I would do that hunt. If the answer is no, I would start applying and hope to get lucky. I would also start buying a raffle ticket for the raffle tag every year.
If you over 50 years old, I would try to afford a trip to Canada or Alaska, buy raffle tickets, and save to try to afford the auction tag.
Each year, 1 tag is raffled off by Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance and one tag is auctioned off by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society. Usually the raffle is slightly better odds than the draw. The auction tag is at a live auction and usually goes for over $100,000, so better have a lot of money to buy it.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

In rare chances, you can draw a Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep with no preference or weighted points. Like Mountain Goat and Moose, once you have 3 preference points, each additional point you draw is called a weighted point. Each weighted point increases the chance that you draw a tag. A non-resident Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep tag is $2,686.04, or for a resident it is $366.13 plus fees covered above. Also, note that each preference point or weighted point has an additional charge. For residents, it is $50 each year to add another point. For non-residents, it is $100 each year to add another point. The charge for the preference or weighted point will hit your credit / debt card on file when the draw results come out in early May.

If you want to just draw a preference point, enter P-999-99-P into the application. You do not have to pay for a tag to get a preference point, but you do have to submit the code during the primary draw and pay the fees listed above to apply. Theat is the $50 (Resident) or $100 (Non-Resident) preference point fee you have to pay when draw results come out in May.

My Advice:

Resident:

If you are under 30 years old, I would start applying now. I would also buy a raffle ticket each year.
If you want to hunt a Ram and you are 30 to 50 years old, I would see how much a Bighorn Sheep hunt in Canada, Mexico, or Alaska would be a see if I could do afford that in the next 10 years. If the answer is yes, I would do that hunt. If the answer is no, I would start applying and hope to get lucky. I would also start buying a raffle ticket for raffle tag every year.
If you are over 50 years old, I would try to afford a trip to Canada Mexico, or Alaska, buy raffle tickets, and save to try to afford the auction tag.
Each year 1 tag is raffled off by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society and one tag is auctioned off by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society. Usually, the raffle is slightly better odds than the draw. The auction tag is at a live auction and usually goes for over $100,000, so better have a lot of money to buy it

Non-resident:

If you are under 30 years old, I would start applying now. Also I would buy a raffle ticket each year.
If you are 30 to 50 years old, I would see how much a Bighorn Sheep hunt in Canada, Mexico, or Alaska would be a see if I could do afford that in the next 10 years. If the answer is yes, I would do that hunt. If the answer is no, I would start applying and hope to get lucky. I would also start buying a raffle ticket for the raffle tag every year.
If you over 50 years old, I would try to afford a trip to Canada, Mexico, or Alaska, buy raffle tickets, and save to try to afford the auction tag.
Each year, 1 tag is raffled off by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society and one tag is auctioned off by Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society. Usually the raffle is slightly better odds than the draw. The auction tag is at a live auction and usually goes for over $100,000, so better have a lot of money to buy it.

If you have any questions, or need any assistance when applying, reach out to Fall Obsession through the “Contact” button at the bottom of the page, and they will put you in touch with me.

-Tim Berges, Fall Obsession Pro Staff

ArticlesSamuel ThrashFebruary 20, 2024Elk Hunting, Colorado, Draw, Application Deadlines, mule deer, Bear Hunting, Black Bear, Pronghorn, Public Land, Moose, Mountain Goat, Big Horn Sheep, Western, License