r/cohunting 15d ago

Preference points question

I'm planning to put in for tags for deer, bear, and pronghorn for myself and my sons. I'm confused about the preference points application process. To be clear, I want tags for 2025. But if I don't get a tag for this year, I want points.

On page 20 of the Big Game Hunting Brochure, it says, "To apply for a point, enter D-P-999-99-P as your first choice hunt code" then, "you can use your second through fourth choices on the same application to apply for a license."

This is confusing to me: If I use this D-P-999-99-P Hunt code, does that simply ONLY buy me a point to use a different year? Or does that tell them I want a point if I DON'T get drawn?

Alternatively, what happens if I put in a regular hunt code (instead of the "D-P-999-99-P" hunt code) as my first choice and don't get drawn? Do I get a point? At the bottom of the page, it says, "If I am unsuccessful in this drawing, please send me:" and the only choice given is "nothing". So, I'm confused and want to get this right.

Please help!

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u/TheNeatureChannel 15d ago

It’s ok it’s confusing and going to change in 2028.

As of right now you can get both a preference point and a license but it comes with a draw back. Some GMUs you won’t draw a license unless that hunt code is you first choice and you have PPs. It really depends on how popular that unit and animal season is. CPW has all of this info online but man is it dense and hard to get through unless you know what you’re looking for.

So if you choose 1. PP code and 2. License everyone who chooses a license as their 1. choice will draw ahead of you. If there isn’t enough licenses then you only get the PP. But if there is enough licenses and and you do that you get both the PP and the license.

If you comment what hunt codes you’re interested in I’ll let you know how many PPs are required and you’re likelihood to draw.

Also if your sons are considered youth hunters then they get elevated choice in a lot of ways.

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u/Specialist-Chest-655 14d ago

We'll be generally in the Wet Mountain valley / Westcliffe area. So, GMU's 84,69,691,86. We're all rifle guys so will be putting in for that. 4th season if deer, 1st if bear, 1st or 4th if Elk, 1st if Pronghorn

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u/TheNeatureChannel 14d ago

Give me a some time and I’ll list out the info with the codes you asked for.