I've got an opportunity to hunt about 450 private acres in Colorado for Elk. As a non-resident, how difficult is it to get a license? Do I just pay the $470 and the will issue me one? Or do I pay the $470 and go through some draw system? Sorry to sound so stupid, but I have never hunted outside of the State of Texas.

It depends on what unit your hunt is in. Some units require up to 10 points, some none at all. Some units that have historically required points have tags leftover. I suggest you surf the Colorado Div. of Wildlife website. Look at the unit map to find out where you want to hunt. Then, go to the left over license page and find out if there were any tags left over last year. You will also need to know what season you are planning to hunt.
Good Luck
Leif

Longbob,
You can buy a bull tag over the counter.
No draw Req.

Mike

Leif
Aren't the units public land? Or do they apply to private land also for drawing purposes.

mtramutolo,
Can I buy the bull tag over the counter because it is private land?

Hate to sound so stupid, but the answers posted are almost opposing without further clarification. I appreciate your responses.

Longbob, (although writing this from AZ, I'm CO born and raised and only here temporarily.) Leif is right in that it does depend on what unit the land is in and what season you want to hunt, however, what Mike says applies to most of the state. Some units have limited bull tags that you have to draw for - for some or all seasons. However, most units have unlimited bull tags, although there is often a point restriction (4-point). *Unfortunately, you just missed the deadline for this year's drawing if you need it for your area, although there may be leftovers as Leif mentioned.

If the land is in one of the many unlimited tag areas you just pay your $470 and hunt. If it is in a draw area, you have to send in with everyone else. (Although, landowners with signficant land in one of the limited draw areas that is regularly used by a certain species can often have some tags issued to them for that species to use/distribute at they wish.)

The units used apply both to public and private land. Leif is right, you can see the regs online. Look up the unit the land is in and look in the elk section of the regs to see if a draw is required for that unit and season.

Also, as part of your tag investigation, try to find out from the landowner what season is best to find elk on the property - they may be there during archery season and not rifle, or 1st rifle season and not 3rd (often related to weather which can't be predicted). It sounds silly when you haven't hunted out West in the mountains, but 450 acres really isn't that much land where elk are concerned. Elk will travel a dozen miles in a day when pressured or just because they feel like it. One often spends at least half the hunt checking out 1000s of acres just trying to locate them. Deer tend to stay close to home; elk don't know the meaning of the word. You are probably way ahead of me on this and I don't mean this to sound insulting, but just in case you haven't thought of it, you ought to have a back-up place to hunt or at least some adjacent public land to wander out onto.

Tigar,

You have helped me a lot!