This 2011 response was pulled from F&S Stream website. Lays it out I believe especially the numbers on harvest success. Factoring in Licenses Cost/Harvest Success/Quality of Elk out of state hunters might be better served going to another state.

"Last year 4 of my friends from Minnesota who are meat-hunters opted out of Colorado, as they were shocked that the already-expensive cow elk tag went from $250 to $364. No way to justify that.

Elk hunting success in Colorado is VERY LOW compared to the other western states, partially because there is an army of elk hunters tramping all over and riding their ATVs throughout the habitat. The elk get extremely wary, and most units have a success rate well under 20 percent. The unit I traditionally hunt had a success rate of 18 percent (bulls), 16 percent for cows in 2009.

The quality of Colorado elk are not nearly like those from the other western states, especially New Mexico, Arizona and Idaho. Not only are the bulls considerably larger, but the success rates are all above 50 percent. I love Colorado country, but there is much better elk hunting to be had elsewhere. Clearly, the elk hunters who educate themselves have decided what is the best deal for their hard-earned dollars and Colorado is not it. Especially for those who want to actually bag an elk.

Those are the facts. The success rates are available on Colorado's DOW website.

I'm an Arizona resident, who gets drawn for AZ bull elk only about once every 6 years. I used to spend the off years hunting cows in Colorado, but no longer. I skipped out last year too, because of the price increase. Instead, I convinced my spouse to put in for an Arizona cow tag, which are easily drawn by residents. We got our elk meat that way.

CO bull tags are still $564, and are unlimited. Of course, any Colorado unit that produced a good bull(s) one year will be overrun with hordes of hunters the next year. It's the Colorado way.

If Colorado was truly interested in attracting more hunters, they should not have raised the cow tag prices in the middle of the Great Recession".

If hunters, fisherpersons, shooters, skiers, snowboarders, and otyer foilks who enjoy the wilderness and hunting/catching their own food bail Colorado will learn a lesson that ouir elected idiots gotta learn soon - all power - AND MONEY - flows from the working people!

Terry

I read the other day the legistlsators beieve that the new laws will only cost the state around 500K. We'll see.

Colorado $586 for NR Bull tag the overall sucess rate is about %21. Which includes limited draw, RFW, and private land. The Success rate for OTC for 2nd and 3rd rifle season, which the majority of out of state hunters hunt, is lower.

Wyoming $641 for NR Bull tag the overall sucess rate is 44%.
Would you pay an extra $55 to more than double the odds of a sucessful hunt?

I support the CO boycott,but I live here.ThatF&S article is skewed. First off,CO is the dumping ground for all that apply for elk tags in other states and don't draw. Secondly, it is still one the the cheapest states for NR and tags can still be had OTC.Of course other states have higher success ratio.The limit the number of licenses. NR's can be guaranteed to go elk hunting in CO every year,not so in other states.

Guys whine about the number of hunters,but then whine when they can't get tags in other state. Can't have it both ways.CO makes no bones about it that they manage elk for quantity rather than quality. Yoy can draw in some of the higher quality areas every 6-7years and only pay about $560 vs waiting for 10-12 years in NM,if that, and pay $800+

Elk hunting is what you make it.

I'm no big fan of the CO CPW, bt if you know what you are doing,you can kill an elk every year in CO. It's just that 10% of the hunters kill 90% of the elk. I don't have problems killing an elk every year.Some years it's a bull,some it's a cow

Well, I think this is fine with me. I don't hunt for percent or for antlers, and CO seems to have plenty of opportunities on public land, without a guide and with tons of leftover or OTC tags. After looking at the out of state tag prices in other states I think that CO are in the same ball park.
As far as "quality", I haven't eaten other states' elk but find nothing wrong with the quality of CO elk as table fare.
I think that the time spent analyzing the percentages and odds at the computer is better spent scouting. Increases those odds, usually.

Areas manage for trophy like Unit 2 require 15-20 points to draw.

Yes ,but while waiting to draw Unit 201 with 20 points,I shot bulls and cows every year while waiting.Sometimes two a year when permitted and even 3 in the one year when 3 tags were permissable.Check with NM were even residents only get to hunt once every 7-8 years unless the pay exhorbitant amounts for landowner tags.

Poor kill succes rates are the fault of only one person,the hunter.

Took my first elk hunt in Colorado in 2011. First rifle season in a limited draw unit. We were in elk every day. Monday we had a nice little dose of snow,and one of our party scored on a rag horn bull. I had a herd bull in my scope,but passed on a running shot with cows in the mix. About 60 yards and too many cows afoot to risk a shot. I really can't complain. In and out with travel and grub was about $1600 door to door. Had a great time in the Rockies and had a nice bull in my sights. Pretty good for our first time in that unit. If there isn't any point creep we will draw again for this fall. I'm looking forward to it. I have a couple friends up in Wyoming nd should jump in their system too I suppose. They do shoot some very nice bulls,but being residents they draw some good tags in good units. Being 7 p-points into Colorado for deer,I figured I can do a little deer scouting while chasing the elk. Being a single income family of 4,I can't play as much as I would like,and Colorado fits my budget pretty well.

Can a nonresident hunt elk in AZ or NM every year. Don't think so

Idaho has an OTC with caps.

Colorado is the only place that nonresidents can go every year, unless you count Montana now that they have raised their price so high.

But I put in for Utah every year. 12 years and counting! Gotta believe!

I just had this discussion with a friend of mine tonight,he lived in Colorado for 15yrs,but said he'll never hunt there again,I've been going the past few years myself but after all the craziness going after the 2nd amendment,I look at them the same as the Peoples Republic of New York and don't even want to spend gas money going through those states let alone the extremely high game tags..

"Gun Stories", the Outdoor Channel show, is pulling all production out of Colorado because of the new anti-Second Amendment laws that were just passed.

They figure it will hit Colorado with losses of revenue to the tune of 1 million.

See what happens when Californians migrate to other states they screw up those states too how do I know this I live in Oregon. So long CO

It's a disease. It really is.

If is a disease and continues there won't be any hunting in Colorado at all in a few years. 2014 is a turning point for Colorado, just as 2012 was a turning point for the US. If Colorado go down the path of Obama then hunting is doomed in Colorado and Colorado is doomed. We will see if the people of Colorado have woken up and put the state back on the right track in 2014.

You're right about CO being the dumping ground for nonresidents who can buy OTC bull tags. A newbie NR to our state, with an OTC bull tag, hunting public land, has a slim chance of even seeing an elk, much less killing one.

You are also right about being able to kill an elk every year, if you know what you're doing. Most folks don't.

I don't think boycotting hunting in our state hurts anyone but hunters. If revenues from license sales dwindle, so will our hunt opportunities. The politicians could care less, in fact they would be delighted to see hunters/gun owners further hurt by their own actions.
We may not agree with the actions the DOW takes in game management, but the fact remains that hunting is a critical part of keeping herds in balance. I would really hate to see that change for the worse as a result of actions by hunters themselves.

I'm still optimistic that after Nov. 2014, many of these liberal politicians will be back working at their law offices and beer breweries, and their conservative replacements will begin repealing stupid anti-gun legislation.

Looks like the boycott is getting some momentum.


Hunters threaten to boycott Colorado after passage of recent gun laws

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...r-passage-recent-gun-laws/#ixzz2Ol402g4b

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...-colorado-after-passage-recent-gun-laws/


My personal view is that a boycott of the shooting/hunting industry harms the allies in the fight for 2nd amendment rights. I think it is more effective to boycott Colorado Ski Resorts, National Parks, Sports Teams, and so on - especially anything based in the Denver metro area.

I have been to Colorado seven time and have killed six elk out of the seven trips on Public Land, 2 Cows 4 Bulls. You have to hunt to find them . Last two trips last two bulls. I won't hunt Colorado again due to the new laws

The whole idea of the boycotting is to impact government and businesses enough so that they start to complain to their representatives. The liberal democrats won't care anyway. It's not going to change anything until the 2014 elections,but it should make those impacted by it get out to vote and vote the right way.

Yes it is going to hurt hunting ,game management, and all those small towns that depend on hunter dollars. However it has been demonstrated many times that change is only brought on by getting into peoples pockets.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Hunters across the country are boycotting Colorado because of recent legislation meant to curtail gun violence.

Michael Bane, a producer for The Outdoor Channel, announced he will no longer film his four shows in Colorado and hunters are joining the protests.

According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, hunting outfitters say people began cancelling trips after the legislation passed.

The numbers are few, but growing. Legislation, drawn up in response to the Aurora theater shootings and other massacres, bans magazines that hold more than 15 bullets.

Legislation also requires universal background checks, a state fee for background checks, regulation of concealed-carry training and regulations to remove guns from those convicted of domestic abuse.

I'm boycotting my state. WY and NM are much more fun.

Agreed. I live here as well and support a Colorado boycott 100%. And not just for hunters but for anyone for any activity.

Nine months ago our governor said new laws weren't the right answer. Now he is in the pocket of Bloomberg and other money men because he is looking for a place on the national stage.

Stay out and keep you money out. Move your conventions out, move your gun related and other industries out. My wife and I thought we might retire here but that is looking doubtful. Hello, Wyoming or Texas or Utah...

As to the elk hunting, Colorado has large numbers. As Saddlesore says, a small percentage of hunters take most of the elk and do so year after year. Since 2000 I've been fortunate to take 10 elk, 3 bulls and 7 cows. As long as the freezer is full, I'm happy.

The trick to success in Colorado is to learn the elk habits in the area you hunt and to get into and stay in the field. Many �hunters� drink themselves stupid at night and can barely function during the day, many never get where the elk are and don't stay there when they do. (Gotta get back to camp for lunch or dinner or drinks or...) Others spend their time hunting areas where there are no or very few elk (BTDT) or tramp around bypassing elk in pockets of trees or other prime areas because they are too lazy to investigate or pushing the elk out ahead of them with their constant chatter and noise and/or odor.

Back to the boycott, to all non-residents I ask that you PLEASE take your elk hunting and vacationing and other dollars elsewhere and send a note to our governor letting him know why.

Ahhhhhhh, dayum! It's going to be a great summer and even better hunting seasons now that everyone is going to be somewhere else. I may even draw those great tags with a few less points this year. Gotta love it when a plan comes together....

So you encourage the boycott of like minded constitutionalists here in Colorado. These "small towns" are predominately conservative and on our side and you think that by hitting these folks in the pocket book it's going to HELP us? Wtf?

You want to boycott CO then boycott Denver, Boulder and other areas thick with liberals. Boycott anything liberal and stand beside and support those with conservative values.

You have these liberals stealing from Peter to give to Paul and by doing this the liberals can always count on Paul's vote and you guys thing that boycotting Peter is the answer. I wish people wouldn't get so emotional. Use your heads and be strategic and we can win this thing. Boycotting hunting and shunning your fellow conservatives in need is exactly what the liberal [bleep] want you to do

Problem being is that it has been shown that those conservatives were relatively light in them getting out to vote in the last election. It's going to take some amount of effort to have that reversed in 2014.

People display a lot of apathy until it affects them directly. BTDT

More of this stuff posted on the wires this morning. Not sure if the reporters really look into the issue, or if they even care, so long as it makes for juicy controversy.

Am I the only one who finds humor in the big fuss the media is making of Outdoor Channel supposedly leaving Colorado, yet Outdoor Channel shareholders agreed with management and voted to be bought out by a group based in Colorado?

Maybe I am not looking at it corrrectly, but if groups are so upset with Colorado to the point that they are leading the push for a boycott of the state, why would they not make mention of being bought out by a company from Colorado and the probability that that buyout will strengthen their connections to Colorado?

Let me get this straight...... Some in the media are advocating that we should all boycott hunting in Colorado this fall, hurting the many small businesses who rely on hunting and hunters. Yet, when they could make a big statement to one of the biggest financial enterprises in all of Colorado, these same groups in outdoor media say nothing when one of their own does just the opposite of what they are asking us to do.

Surely I am missing something. Help me out on this one.

BTW, Not a chance I am going to boycott the West Slope folks because of some fools on the Front Range. I will be there hunting this fall, spending my money with these small businesses.

Others may choose to do differntly; their right to do so. Personally, I don't kick my friends in the crotch for the actions of my enemies. Rather, I support my friends and find ways to kick back at the enemy.

Carry on .......

I am with huntsonora on this.

I'm through buying tickets for sporting events or concerts, etc. in the metro area, or really any commerce from those geographic and marketing segments.

I'm not going to boycott the hunting/shooting industry, and I'm too heavilly vested for that to be practical for me. It would hurt my neighbors and friends.

I do lend about $1000 to the CPW each year to collect preference points for some species that I will probably never draw anyway. Hopefully I can help send a message by cutting back on some of that meaningless application submission.

Finally! Another voice of reason! Thank you!

Everyone is angry and mad right now and rightly so. I get that because I am angry too. But boycotting hunting/fishing/shooting or anything related will only hurt us and our communities. C'mon people! The anti's want this type of action to further push their agenda and weaken us. They only laugh at us when they see this stuff because they know that this will further rot out the core of who were are and what we stand for. It's a win/win for them - they got the new laws and we cut and ran.....

Alamosa, Bighorn, huntsonora, and BigFin are right, let's do a boycott that actually hurts the leftist. Stop spending money in the theaters, the Denver Post, anything that the commies value and use against us. The list could be unlimited in the way in which we can fight back with our wallets. So let's start a list of business/state government to boycott and hit them where it hurts THEM! But let's not hurt my family who lives on the Western Slope, or my friends in Walden who run the Conoco station. These people are just like us in every way and to think that they didn't vote in the last election is foolish to say or even believe.

Come here and spend your money for a tag - money that goes directly back into managing our wonderful wildlife opportunities we have here. Spend your money wisely when you get here by frequenting small business's. You know who these people are - it ain't rocket science. And before you come here, write Chickenpooper a letter stating your views. Tell him when you come through, you're driving past the State Capital and honking to let them all know how you feel. That it was someone who just drove past, honked and who stood for the Constitution!

We need to do what the anti's do, band together and make ourselves heard LOUD AND F'ING CLEAR!. Boycotting hunting & fishing is cutting and running from the problem and I know we have too many good people who are not that way. So come here, stop by my house and let's tell some tales and then we can begin banding together to win.

This is the only way we can fight back and take our rights and country back.

Maybe your boycott will help me draw my LE tag, unit 61. I am one of those who kills an elk pretty much every year. It doesn't bother me that 80% of people can't find one standing next to their truck.

Colorado would be sweet if we could make a big strip running down the Front Range secede and GFThemselves.

Maybe you ought to do some research and find out some facts first. Sheriff Terry Maketa an all those who voted for him is on the front range in Colorado Springs. He and his supporters were the most out spoken about these anti gun laws,and most of the protestors at the state capitol were front range residents. Those very people are the ones who are going to be instrumental in changing the votes come 2014. Best watch who you tell to GFY.

Stating that everyone should boycott the front range businesses is like scratching a pimple on an elphant's butt.You might think you are doing something, but the elephant can't even feel it.Same with boycotting these businesses. Although I am all for it, footbal games, basketball games,sking, arts,theaters, etc all are mostly attended by younger generations and yuppies that have no interest in hunting or firearms and they are not going to participate. Impact would be miniscule.

BTW, They did not get my $750+ this year for use for a couple of months for sheep,goat or moose draws. That was after 15+ years of putting in for them.

SaddleSore, that statement was in jest...

I agree that the impact of a boycott will be minuscule, and that's kind of why the thought of it leaves me scratching my head.

OK Sorry,I'm a little touchy about all this.

Well, I hate to see the mom & pop stores and the outfitters get hurt by something that's beyond their control. But as a resident DIY public land hunter, I agree with all the out-of-staters who think a boycott is a good idea.

Nothing personal.

No worries, I don't think anybody could blame a guy for being passionate about his home-state...

smoke, I think it'll be interesting this year to see if the out of state Boycotts can be observed at all, being local DIY'ers. Our local pharmacy will definitely see a decrease in tag, ammo, and supply sales....

Boycotting CO is like kicking your buddy in the nuts because your mutual adversary banged your buddy's girlfriend.

Another aspect of a boycott is loss of income to the DOW. Hunting is the income for all of the DOW, even fishing. No monies there to manage, they then need to get tax dollars, which then leads into the political arena, and you know how that worked for spring bear hunting.

The sign of this is when Parks merged with DOW, Parks is chiefly funded by tax dollars and lottery funds which are controlled by legislative process.This then becomes a backdoor way of allowing special interest groups to try to manage DOW doctrines.

I am liking my odds to draw this year, thank you boycott!

I save the Min PP data every year, so I'll be interesting to see if all this talk turns "point creep" into "point sleep"

they ain't boycotting mesicans

http://www.koaa.com/news/bill-would-grant-immigrants-licenses/

Yep and ol'POTUS will be here soon to talk to us about evil firearms and the fine work the Dems here have done. I'm sure he'll say its just a start.

Maybe Denver will drop into a big sinkhole. That would fix things, especially if Boulder went, too.

Maybe if just Boulder and Denver did....grin

I'm thinking the boycott talk might be getting someones attention. On 850 KOA talk radio the DOW is now advertising how the new laws "really" don't affect non-resident hunters

Yea hunters boycotting Colorado is a really good Idea.....antis grinning ear to ear...gun registration, banned assualt rifles, and reducing the numbers of hunters. Kill a bunch of birds with one stone.

lefty C

I'm a retired LEO. I can tell you right now that the CSP, and the DOW will enforce these state laws. Most Police Departments will too. In fact I haven't heard one Police Chief whose said his department won't. The Sheriff's are elected officals and are one election away from being unemployed, and the next guy will enforce. The dems have done unspeakable damage to the freedom of this state.

That is what I have been trying to tell people Lee. None of these appointed police chiefs will buck the Governor or any elected mayor as their job will end right there. The hope of the boycott is to convince enough people that these laws are doing damage to the state and they need to get out to vote in 2014. Supportive sheriffs that are pro gun will be reelected and anti gun sheriffs will fail is the hope.

It's pure BS that the boycott will help then antis. They won't be swayed either way and the only hope is to get the right people elected in 2014 to repeal these laws and that can only be done with a republican governor and republican controlled Senate. The only way to do that is to get the conservatives out to vote which they did not do in 2012. To do that they must have incentive and getting into their pocket book is the only incentive that works. If the laws are not affecting them they won't get out to vote.

The ones who are against the boycott either are going to be financially hurt by it or need to repeat Economics 101.

This entire thing is like the 2-3 million gun owners that belong to the NRA, but there are 8-10 million gun owners + in the USA. A lot of people want to complain, but darn few want to do anything about it.

Our group just applyed for Col. elk tags the other day. One member droped out and the new laws played a part in his choice. We didn't feel we could research another state and get everyones vacations changed in time, etc, etc, etc, to switch. Will we be back after this Oct (if we draw), i don't know? I have VERY mixed feelings about the boycott idea. Would love to boycott the government and not hurt the good folks that got this [bleep] shoved down their throats, but don't know how. Maybe the NRA can get it turned around with law suits, i hope so. Just a bad deal all around.

Guy

i've gone to co every year since 96' for archery elk. i'm not hunting co this year. going to montana and south dakota instead. however, i did put in for another co pref pt. i'll get all my money back except 15 bucks i believe.

In 2014, throw a couple bucks at the conservative candidates that will be running to help their campaigns. The Dem side is getting tons of out of state money, our side doesn't get much at all. A lot of the real trouble makers were real close elections last time around in their districts.

Good advice. There are a number of districts that have representatives and senators that are far to the left of their constituents.
Give them some support when they need it.

I had hoped to see some media time bought by the NRA in this last fight. It may have been there and I just missed it.

Another thing about the boycott - be selective about where you spend your money. Don't boycott the businesses that are actually fighting for our 2nd amendment rights.

some examples (you probably have more)

I like beers from New Belgium brewery (Fat Tire and Ranger) but I just read an article in the Post about the founder/CEO's use of the profits for liberal causes. Coors tastes a whole lot better to me now.

The Gil Foundation funnels A LOT of money into liberal Colorado candidates. Their main issue is gay and lesbian rights. The Gil Foundation gets it's money from the Quark Express software development company.

Progressive Insurance is where George Soros gets the cash to fund moveon.org. A better choice for your rights is Farm Bureau Insurance.

KUSA - Citing recent gun control legislation, HiViz Shooting Systems announced Monday that it is relocating operations out of Colorado.
"We cannot in clear conscience support with our taxes a state that has proven through recent legislation a willingness to infringe upon the constitutional rights of our consumer base," HiViz President and CEO Phillip Howe said in a news release.

The move will start with the company's corporate headquarters. Other operations will move over an extended period of time. A majority of employees will move with the corporate office, according to the release.

More details about the relocation will be announced as they are finalized.

Gov. John Hickenlooper signed legislation in March that expanded background checks for firearms and set limits on ammunition magazines.

"I think it will make it more difficult for people to get guns who shouldn't have them, and that's really the goal," State Rep. Beth McCann (D-Denver) said.

Ammunition magazine maker Magpul said it will leave Colorado by the end of the year as a response to the new legislation.

HiViz, which is based out of Fort Collins, manufactures light-gathering lights, recoil pads and accessories.

Right, I believe I may grab my old Sharps rifle and hunt Elk on a buds place this year in N.M.

Gunner

Boycotting hunting won't do squat! This might help though.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingn...iffs-planning-lawsuit-block-new-gun-laws

People don't understand the point of a boycott. It has to affect everybody, so everybody can rise up and complain to the politicians.

The cops have said they won't enforce it, because they have no idea if the person in question is actually breaking the law to begin with since there is no firearm registration YET.

I understand the boycott completely, but I can't agree with it. It's going to hurt too many good people who are on our side.

Right!

The Bambi-Libs will love the fact there are fewer savages out in THEIR forest, slaughtering every living thing for fun and blood-lust.

You give the libs too much credit. my crazy lib mother in law doesn't even know what time of year people hunt.

I got an E-Mail from the DOW last week wanting me to renew my small game and fishing licenses on line. First time that ever happened.
I wonder of they're starting to worry.

Oh I think they are worrying. After screwing up their checkbook and spending $32 million they didn't have, they are now looking at yet another drop in non resident hunters. I understand the online system was busy the last day of the draw, however the bulk of nonresidents buy OTC tags. The worst is yet to come.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/11/colo-immigrant-drivers-li_n_3062728.html

Colora doh going to end up like this?

http://standwitharizona.com/blog/20...-trial-cites-unique-cultural-background/

Bout says it all.

This NR has and will continue to hunt Co. every year.

How much money does the state pocket from investing everybodies money from pp only apps and non successful apps? That could be a pretty big hickey towards their general fund coming from a hunting boycott.

Given current rates of return they probably lost on the investment

The state gets non of it.

What they make off of people's money, at current interest rates, is HUGE!!! It likely is enough to keep the DOW in TP for at least a month.........