Drawn West

You've probably looked at sheep tag odds and thought — that's never happening. The numbers are brutal. Most states are handing out a handful of tags to thousands of applicants, and the herds aren't exactly booming. But there's a population in the Black Canyon of Colorado that just got its first hunt tag in over 80 years, and a wildlife researcher who's been tracking every sheep in that canyon for the last two years using 71 trail cameras. The results are pretty interesting.Cody Hinkley is wrapping up his master's research at Western Colorado University, and his thesis asks a simple but important question: can trail cameras replace expensive, dangerous helicopter surveys to monitor bighorn sheep populations? If the answer is yes, it changes how wildlife managers across the West track herds — and potentially how tags get allocated.In this episode, we break down how the mark-resight method works, what the population data actually shows for this herd, and what the disease threatening sheep herds nationwide would take to solve. We also get into the honest reality of what it would take — population-wise — for a non-resident to have a realistic shot at drawing a tag in their lifetime.Highlights:• How trail cameras can be used to estimate wildlife population size and sex ratios — and why it matters for tag allocation• Why this Colorado Black Canyon herd is an anomaly — growing when most sheep herds are struggling• The preliminary data: ~80 sheep, and more rams than ewes, with implications for future tag numbers• Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI) — the disease from domestic sheep that is the #1 management threat to bighorn herds nationwide• What "full curl" means, when rams reach maturity, and how wildlife managers think about harvestable surplus• Realistic advice for hunters who want a sheep tag someday — including which states to watch and why Colorado is worth a closer look• Why whitetail hunters can actually run a mini population survey on their own property using the same scienceIf you want to follow Cody's research when it's published, keep an eye on his work coming out of Western Colorado University — he's planning to make it publicly accessible. And if you haven't already, subscribe to the Drawn West podcast so you don't miss episodes like this one.https://www.instagram.com/codymhinkley/Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter.Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveawayupdates.Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletterLooking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!https://www.getdrawnwest.com/articles/best-elk-calls-for-beginners FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest

A Colorado moose, sheep, or goat tag is one of the hardest tags in the lower 48 to draw, but it may be worth applying for and we breakdown why!In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of the Drawn West Podcast, Brian breaks down how Colorado’s moose, sheep, and goat system actually works, what makes it different from the straight preference draws for deer, elk, and antelope, and why these tags are still one of the more realistic long-game plays if you want a shot at a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. He covers the $2,823 nonresident tag cost, the three-year preference point buy-in, how weighted points create a random-but-improving draw system, and what the current outlook looks like for bighorns, goats, and especially moose. He also gets into an option most hunters overlook: ewe, nanny, and antlerless moose tags that can cut the wait down in a big way. • Colorado deadline: April 7 at 8 p.m. Mountain Time • Nonresident tag fee: $2,823, plus qualifying license • Three preference points required before you even have a chance to draw • Desert bighorn is random and separate from Rocky Mountain bighorn • Antlerless/female tags can dramatically improve draw odds Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article!ColoradoElk Application StrategyFREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest HaveQuestions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNTGear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10%on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest0:00 – Colorado Moose Sheep Goat Overview0:34 – April 7 Deadline and Tag Cost4:44 – How Colorado MSG Points Work12:05 – Why Weather Matters Less for MSG Applications13:22 – Rocky Mountain Bighorn Breakdown18:44 – Rocky Mountain Goat Breakdown22:51 – Why Colorado Moose Looks So Promising27:55 – Faster Draw Odds with Ewe, Nanny, and Antlerless Tags

Thinking of an elk hunt this year? Colorado needs to be on your radar!In this GOHUNT Bonus Episode of the Drawn West Podcast, we dig into Colorado elk—what’s changing, what’s coming next, and where the real opportunity still lives depending on your point level.Colorado is still the center of the elk hunting world, but it’s evolving. OTC archery has shifted, rifle tags could follow, and a major draw system change in 2028 is starting to reshape how people think about points. At the same time, there are still ways to hunt every single year—if you’re looking at it the right way.We walk through how different point levels actually play out, where things quietly open up, and why some strategies look better on paper than they do in reality.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re playing Colorado the right way—or just want to understand it a little deeper—this one’s worth your time.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram.If you enjoyed this, leave a 5-star rating and share the show with a friend.Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latestarticle!Forging TheFuture: Benchmade’s Newest Blade Technology FREE Gear Checklist:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gearConnect with Brian Krebshttps://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to Brian@getdrawnwest.com!Sponsorsand Discounts:GOHUNTInsider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4GOHUNT GearShop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4uSave10% onMaverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest00:00 – Colorado Elk Overview01:10 – Deadline & Point Rules02:00 – OTC Archery Changes03:30 – Future Rifle Tag Changes04:30 – Colorado Elk Costs05:30 – Draw System Explained07:00 – 2028 System Changes09:00 – Elk Population & Trophy Potential11:30 – Using Unit Data & GoHunt13:00 – Best Units (0 Points)15:30 – Best Units (3 Points)17:30 – The 7–20 Point Dead Zone19:30 – High Point Strategy21:30 – Final Application Advice