If you need 3 points for a certain tag, and you have 2 points. You won't get the tag this year, but you'll get the 3rd point you can use next year.

With that said. Isn't unit 54 OTC?  Are you talking about rifle season?

Muzzle loader! Last time we went 2nd rifle and that was over the counter!

Yep, you'll need to wait at least another year.  On the CPW website, the minimum points required to draw the tag is listed as 3 points on the "Minimum Preference Point Info" sheet.  However, if you look at the draw data, 28 non-residents drew the tag last year and of the 125 non-resident applicants, 31 had 4 points or more.  That means it took 4 points to draw that tag, not 3.

Just because it took 4 points last year, doesn't mean it will take that many this year.  In all likelihood, it will be similar but could change based on the number of hunters applying for the tag and the number of tags being issued.

Good luck on the draw!  Hope you get your hunts.

For further clarification, your prefence point will be earned AFTER you fail to draw your first choice and can be used next year.  At which point, you'll still likely be a point behind in this particular example.

Meathunter hit it right on the head. Just because the stats say 3 points does not mean you will get a tag. That is the bear minumum to get a tag. Put in for your preference point but plan on hunting somewhere else for sure. Maybe next year you will draw in 54.

Move next door to 55. You have enough points for an either sex tag. Or put in for a point on your 1st choice, and a cow for your 2nd choice. You get to hunt this and next year,or as long as it takes to get enough points for the unit you want.

I'll take anything instead of not hunting.

Thanks for all the advice. I live 2 hunt, I feel you can do that out any door in my eyes, I know not all hunting is like what I've experinced in Colorado elk hunting. I do apply for elk here in Michigan every year or a chance too.. But to hunt that far and get others to go along with that much time off, and the cost, I've just had a hard time finding someone. But thats why I asked this question so I can learn and really do apperciate all the different ideas and info. The guy putting in with me now has lots of young kids, so not sure if he can do more than one year!     

In 2013 the muzzie season is as close to "prime-time" as colorado gets.  So waiting one year may not be so bad. 

I will apply for my first point in with the hope they might do it agian. 

No muzzleloader season, but their archery season goes all way through most of October.  Even our archery season ends a little late this year.  Gauranteed draw (if last year is an indication) and you can hunt with a rifle in a few serious backcountry units with a rifle from Mid September onward if you want.