help with draw choices

[Roger L]

Hi,
Myself and two friends are applying for antelope this year. One is a young hunter who has yet to kill a big game animal, so we are excited to take him along.
I have done my research, but as always, I'd appreciate some feed back.
I currently have 7 points, my friends, 1 each. We are going to apply in the special draw which should put us at 5 points each (based on EHJ notes that the special draw is worth 2 pts).
I'd prefer not to use my points this year.
So I was going to apply in this order- 058,096 and 092.
I'd burn the points if we could get a good draw this year.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Not sure where you get the special draw adding extra points, if I followed your logic correctly, as I've never known that to be true. I do not recall the EHJ note you mention, but someone could have said applying via the special draw is like having two more points, due to hopefully lower demand. Meaning, in your example, a tag that takes 7 pts regular, may only take 5 in the special. If I am all wet, please correct me.

 

[bdan68]

Your 7 points plus 1 point each from your two friends, adds up to 9 points. Divided by 3 gives your group an average of 3. You don't gain extra points by applying in the special draw.

So I'd be looking at tags that require 3 points or less to draw. There should be quite a few good choices, especially if you're paying the extra money for the special draw.

 

[Alabama]

58 you have no chance with a 3 point average, so you will not burn your points. 96 and 92 are a waste of time as a 2nd and 3rd choices there were no tags left after the 1st round. In Wyoming all tags are awarded to everyone's 1st choice, then if there are tags left then they randomly draw for 2nd choices with no regard to points. You will either have to find a unit that has at least 3 preference tags and takes 3 points or less and burn your points or find a lesser unit that has less 1st choice apps than tags and hope you draw as 2nd choice. If you want to hunt this year burn your points.

 

[RICMIC]

Roger, you could do what I did this year. I have 6 pts., and have two buds who have 0 pts. I applied in an area where I should be a slam dunk to draw a buck tag, and then each of us independently applied for 2 doe tags each in the reduced price ($48) draw. Check that your intended unit has the doe tags available and you should all be able to enjoy the outing. Your partners will preserve their points and after seeing what is out there can stay in the point game for a future buck.

 

[WapitiBob]

The "2 points" for the special draw is in reference to the points required to draw a given unit in the special draw compared to the regular draw. The special often requires "2 less" than the same unit in the regular draw. Look another way, the special will get you a unit that requires 2 more points if you were to apply regular draw.
Hunt x takes 7 points regular but only 5 special.

 

[Roger L]

Thanks!

Not sure where you get the special draw adding extra points, if I followed your logic correctly, as I've never known that to be true. I do not recall the EHJ note you mention, but someone could have said applying via the special draw is like having two more points, due to hopefully lower demand. Meaning, in your example, a tag that takes 7 pts regular, may only take 5 in the special. If I am all wet, please correct me.

Tim,
Yes, I believe you are correct. So we've gone with the special draw, but I think my selections may be a problem.
I just want to get tags so we can get this young kid out on a good hunt.
He's a good duck hunter here in California, but he got out pig hunting last year and missed a couple.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Roger L]

Thanks Alabama, that does clear it up a bit.
I'll burn the points!

58 you have no chance with a 3 point average, so you will not burn your points. 96 and 92 are a waste of time as a 2nd and 3rd choices there were no tags left after the 1st round. In Wyoming all tags are awarded to everyone's 1st choice, then if there are tags left then they randomly draw for 2nd choices with no regard to points. You will either have to find a unit that has at least 3 preference tags and takes 3 points or less and burn your points or find a lesser unit that has less 1st choice apps than tags and hope you draw as 2nd choice. If you want to hunt this year burn your points.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Tim,
Yes, I believe you are correct. So we've gone with the special draw, but I think my selections may be a problem.
I just want to get tags so we can get this young kid out on a good hunt.
He's a good duck hunter here in California, but he got out pig hunting last year and missed a couple.
Thanks for the feedback.

I'd listen to Alabama and WapatiBob. If 'bama says find a different unit, I'd take that advice. If the nut you seek to crack is getting the kid a tag, put in with the kid, just you two, then you have 4 pts avg. Pick a unit accordingly and he draws a very good hunt. The WY web site has tables that show you how many pts. it took last year. There are no guarantees, so if I wanted the kid to hunt, 99.625% certain, I'd find a unit that took 3 points last year, put in alone with him, and hunt. Tell his Dad, you may need to buy a doe tag... Odds are the 3 of you can draw buck tags in the right unit. Almost certain the two of you will draw a very good hunt, especially so if you pay the special draw tariff.

 

[Roger L]

Bob,
Do they show the odds separately for the special draw somewhere in their stats?
Thanks for the reply, I swear I'm spending more time figuring out the draw game than I am hunting.
I was fortunate enough to draw not only a late deer, but a late elk, in Nevada three years ago.

The "2 points" for the special draw is in reference to the points required to draw a given unit in the special draw compared to the regular draw. The special often requires "2 less" than the same unit in the regular draw. Look another way, the special will get you a unit that requires 2 more points if you were to apply regular draw.
Hunt x takes 7 points regular but only 5 special.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Bob,
Do they show the odds separately for the special draw somewhere in their stats?
Thanks for the reply, I swear I'm spending more time figuring out the draw game than I am hunting.
I was fortunate enough to draw not only a late deer, but a late elk, in Nevada three years ago.

I'm not Bob, but yep.

 

[Roger L]

Tim,
That is a hell of a good idea. It's the kids Godfather and he's done a wonderful job of introducing him to hunting.
I'll find out how good a salesman I am.
Thanks!

I'd listen to Alabama and WapatiBob. If 'bama says find a different unit, I'd take that advice. If the nut you seek to crack is getting the kid a tag, put in with the kid, just you two, then you have 4 pts avg. Pick a unit accordingly and he draws a very good hunt. The WY web site has tables that show you how many pts. it took last year. There are no guarantees, so if I wanted the kid to hunt, 99.625% certain, I'd find a unit that took 3 points last year, put in alone with him, and hunt. Tell his Dad, you may need to buy a doe tag... Odds are the 3 of you can draw buck tags in the right unit. Almost certain the two of you will draw a very good hunt, especially so if you pay the special draw tariff.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Tim,
That is a hell of a good idea. It's the kids Godfather and he's done a wonderful job of introducing him to hunting.
I'll find out how good a salesman I am.
Thanks!

I think you can sell that idea, easy.

 

[Roger L]

I guess this is still the part that I don't quite understand.
What do we gain if we put in the "special draw"? I assumed it was basically two points? Because it has a lower number of applicants?

 

[Tim McCoy]

I guess this is still the part that I don't quite understand.
What do we gain if we put in the "special draw"? I assumed it was basically two points? Because it has a lower number of applicants?

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/hunting-1001914.aspx

 

[Tim McCoy]

Check there. You will see that in most areas the special draw, due to it's higher cost, will take fewer points to draw a tag. It does not, will not, nor has ever added points to your application. It does have the effect in many units of getting you a tag you would not have drawn in the regular draw, based on the odds. I have seen, on occasion, regular odds being better than special draw odds. Solely based on how many put in for each pool.

 

[Roger L]

Thanks Tim, all of you have been very, very helpful.
Roger

 

[Roger L]

Can anyone tell me where to find the tags available by unit for 2015?

I'm looking for the "total Quota" available for each unit in 2015.

 

[WapitiBob]

main page/hunting/ then regulations, then pick chapter 5 seasons

4 doe tags are $165 vs a dinker buck at $280, and he can gain a point for when he wants to buck hunt. Although it's a whole lot easier to pick a buck unit than it is to pick a doe unit(s) where you can draw 2 then get 2 in the leftovers.

 

[NDHunter]

Did you say you've already applied? Or just that you've decided to go with the special draw?

Be dang sure you understand exactly what you're doing before you apply. As a first time applicant, it would be easy to not quite understand how the system works and screw up your app.