Understanding the CO and WY moose draw

[chsdaddy]

I know that I have no chance of drawing a bull moose tag in the lower 48 since I have no points in either state. So I was looking into the cow tag option.

In both states it looks like cow tags are easier to draw. I am looking at areas 38,41 in WY and 7,8,191 in CO.

I think I understand WY, just straight up preference points and this year there were 4 cow tags available and someone cashed in 7 pts, 1 person with 2 pts and 2 people drew it with 1 pt.

CO has a weighted points system and this is where I am unclear. For sure on the bull tags I understand that you have to have 3 preference points prior to accumulating weighted points which are then used to determine your position in the draw based on a random number and some fuzzy math.

For the 3 cow tags available this year in the CO units I am interested in only 4 nonresidents applied. None of them had weighted points. So did those tags get drawn by those NR on a straight up PP basis, random draw basis or not at all since no one had weighted points.

CO also lists 3 hunt codes, one for each weapon type, but they don't break down the draw like that. How do they allocate tags by weapon choice?

WY seems easier to understand and a little cheaper.

What's the Tag $'s/lbs of moose meat come out to on a average cow? (how much meat are you getting on a cow moose)

Thanks!

 

[AKaviator]

That all seems confusing to me, just come on up to Alaska and shoot one.

 

[Bonecollector]

AK - How tough is it to find a cow moose in AK?

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I know that I have no chance of drawing a bull moose tag in the lower 48 since I have no points in either state. So I was looking into the cow tag option.

In both states it looks like cow tags are easier to draw. I am looking at areas 38,41 in WY and 7,8,191 in CO.

I think I understand WY, just straight up preference points and this year there were 4 cow tags available and someone cashed in 7 pts, 1 person with 2 pts and 2 people drew it with 1 pt.

CO has a weighted points system and this is where I am unclear. For sure on the bull tags I understand that you have to have 3 preference points prior to accumulating weighted points which are then used to determine your position in the draw based on a random number and some fuzzy math.

For the 3 cow tags available this year in the CO units I am interested in only 4 nonresidents applied. None of them had weighted points. So did those tags get drawn by those NR on a straight up PP basis, random draw basis or not at all since no one had weighted points.

CO also lists 3 hunt codes, one for each weapon type, but they don't break down the draw like that. How do they allocate tags by weapon choice?

WY seems easier to understand and a little cheaper.

What's the Tag $'s/lbs of moose meat come out to on a average cow? (how much meat are you getting on a cow moose)

Thanks!

The one problem I see with Colorado is you never are "guaranteed" to draw since their point system is not a true preference system, and operates more like a bonus point system. Just because you have the most points, you are not guaranteed to draw.

Go with Wyoming. You would have no problem taking a cow moose in Unit 38. We saw scads of them deer hunting in 2012. Get a point or and you will be able to pick the year to go.

 

[CoHiCntry]

For the 3 cow tags available this year in the CO units I am interested in only 4 nonresidents applied. None of them had weighted points. So did those tags get drawn by those NR on a straight up PP basis, random draw basis or not at all since no one had weighted points.

CO also lists 3 hunt codes, one for each weapon type, but they don't break down the draw like that. How do they allocate tags by weapon choice?

In the example you gave I'd say no NR drew since none of them had weighted points. You can apply for any weapon, i.e. rifle, archery, or muzzy and then decide later on (before the season starts) to turn the tag back in for a different weapon/season. Some guy's draw an archery or muzzy tag then end up turning it back in for the rifle tag when they start feeling the pressure of not being successful on a "once in a lifetime" tag. Of course this applies more to bull tags then cow tags.

The only good thing, if you wanna call it that about CO vs. WY is you could draw the first year you put in with weighted points in CO. I'm not sure how long of a wait your looking at in WY? Giving them $75 a year for the privilege to apply can get pretty expensive too. If you wanna draw and hunt moose once in your lifetime, I'd say apply for both! Or a better option might be go to Alaska as mentioned above! Oh yea, and about units 7, 8, 191... you will have no problem killing a cow there. Wait awhile and you can probably kill one close to a road!

 

[chsdaddy]

AK - that's in the cards some day. We usually come to AK to stock up on fish every other year. When you do the math vs paying for wild caught halibut and salmon, financially it makes sense. At least that's how I've convinced the wife!

UH - maybe I could boil my question down to this - If no one in the CO moose draw has weighted points how are the tags allocated? You are right WY does look like the way to go based on what I have researched.

Thanks

 

[chsdaddy]

Ah yes the elusive trophy cow, close to the road!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

AK - that's in the cards some day. We usually come to AK to stock up on fish every other year. When you do the math vs paying for wild caught halibut and salmon, financially it makes sense. At least that's how I've convinced the wife!

UH - maybe I could boil my question down to this - If no one in the CO moose draw has weighted points how are the tags allocated? You are right WY does look like the way to go based on what I have researched.

Thanks

I believe those in the 3 point pool would have first shot at a tag, those in the 2 point pool second shot, and so on. So without weighted points it would look like a true preference point draw. That's my take on it. I drew my mountain goat tag in that scenario years ago when you had to choose to apply for sheep or goat and as a result the goat draw was very good.

 

[CoHiCntry]

Ah yes the elusive trophy cow, close to the road!

You'll appreciate this more once you get a big cow down and have to pack it out! Especially if you don't have much help... I'm pretty sure your not even in the draw for CO if you don't have your 3 weighted points. Therefore the tag would go to a resident who does have the weighted points.

 

[CrossCreeks]

I am still piling points for Wyoming Hopefully 3-4 yrs. will get me in the area I want. Your best bet for chance at a cow moose is Wyoming.

 

[Cobbhunts]

I am still piling points for Wyoming Hopefully 3-4 yrs. will get me in the area I want. Your best bet for chance at a cow moose is Wyoming.

Out of curiosity - and because its hard to view on a phone.....is the cow moose tag the same price as a bull moose tag?

Sorry for the blatant, yet slight hijacking of the thread. Best of luck with your future hunt.

 

[ssliger]

Out of curiosity - and because its hard to view on a phone.....is the cow moose tag the same price as a bull moose tag?

Sorry for the blatant, yet slight hijacking of the thread. Best of luck with your future hunt.

Same price in Wyoming

 

[chsdaddy]

Yeah in both states the cost if the tags is the same for bull or cow. So I think that is why the cow tags are easier. I'm sure most look at dropping 2k on a tag for a cow as hard to justify. Really I'm more of a meat hunter and 2k for 250lb of organic meat is cheaper than you can get it at the store.

When my boy is 15 or 16 (8 more years) we'll go to AK and shoot a bull. I emailed CO my question about tag allocations with less than 3 pts and will post their reply when I get it.

 

[chsdaddy]

So I did get a reply from the CDOW. See the text below. They also sent me a PDF of the process and it is quite interesting. if you are interested pm me an email address and I'll send you the PDF.

Weighted points are not required to draw a license or the 3 point minimum. There are few moose licenses drawn with 0 preference points, it depends how many hunters apply.
Some Cow licenses may even go to a 2nd choice.

​ I have attached a pdf as to how the weighted draw works. ​For 2014 Moose there were 18,355 residents that applied, for 235 tags, 1,602 non residents for 25 tags.

​This is a list of point and weighted point totals ​
Resident Pref Totals:
0 points 2,917
1 point 2,240
2 points 1,677
3 points 11,521
Resident Weighted Totals:
0 points 8,268
1 point 1,215
2 points 1,156
3 points 930
4 points 833
5 points 824
6 points 736
7 points 645
8 points 630
9 points 621
10 points 571
11 points 646
12 points 481
13 points 799


Non Resident Pref Totals:
0 points 215
1 point 176
2 points 138
3 points 1,073
Non Resident Weighted Totals:
0 points 670
1 point 142
2 points 114
3 points 107
4 points 98
5 points 76
6 points 77
7 points 50
8 points 61
9 points 62
10 points 40
11 points 30
12 points 30
13 points 45