I know you've got more than that! What are #s 2-10?Numero Uno: Applying in Oregon expecting to draw a quality hunt.
Top 10 Mistakes Nonresidents Make in the Draw
- Thread starter hoshour
- Start date
WapitiBob
Veteran member
1-10) Not understanding the draw system in the state you're applying in, which leads to multiple opportunities to make mistakes and be assured you don't draw.
Case in point from today. A guy applied to an Oregon hunt that had only 1 nr tag, which alternate years goes to the Outfitter. This was that year and he had zero chance to draw.
Not knowing the AZ system, there are literally thousands that have zero chance to draw and are basically buying points because of their app choices. OK if you can wait decades but if you want a decent hunt sooner, learn the system.
Then there's the guy that simply ignores the hunt codes and hunt dates right there on the computer screen and applies for a cow tag with dbl digit points.
2015 OR draw:
Mt Emily spike Elk can be drawn with no points, a cpl guys with 11 drew.
Walla Walla archery spike drawn with zero points, a guy with 10 drew.
Walla Walla rifle spike drawn with zero, guys with 12 and 13 drew.
Wehaha archery cow drawn with zero, a guy with 17 drew.
In this day of Internet Forums, there's no excuse for not knowing the draw systems if you have the desire. Simply ask questions.
Case in point from today. A guy applied to an Oregon hunt that had only 1 nr tag, which alternate years goes to the Outfitter. This was that year and he had zero chance to draw.
Not knowing the AZ system, there are literally thousands that have zero chance to draw and are basically buying points because of their app choices. OK if you can wait decades but if you want a decent hunt sooner, learn the system.
Then there's the guy that simply ignores the hunt codes and hunt dates right there on the computer screen and applies for a cow tag with dbl digit points.
2015 OR draw:
Mt Emily spike Elk can be drawn with no points, a cpl guys with 11 drew.
Walla Walla archery spike drawn with zero points, a guy with 10 drew.
Walla Walla rifle spike drawn with zero, guys with 12 and 13 drew.
Wehaha archery cow drawn with zero, a guy with 17 drew.
In this day of Internet Forums, there's no excuse for not knowing the draw systems if you have the desire. Simply ask questions.
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Elkhunter96
Active Member
believing hunting publications and not doing your own research. Too many times there are better units than the recommeded ones or listed ones or mistakes. Also, as others have mentioned, chasing the "high point unit" and not taking advantage of the "hot unit."
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
applying for wrong code etc..., wrong season, or for a doe instead of a buck etc...
1st time state applications, especially for younger applicants, sometimes require hunter safety proof etc... before applying and waiting til the last day to apply can get you in trouble/not approved in time.
Applying for Sheep in WY as a non-res with less than 10pts, don't bother.
1st time state applications, especially for younger applicants, sometimes require hunter safety proof etc... before applying and waiting til the last day to apply can get you in trouble/not approved in time.
Applying for Sheep in WY as a non-res with less than 10pts, don't bother.
NDHunter
Veteran member
Here's one that nobody's mentioned: Planning for the future and figuring out who you are going to do some of your hunts with. When I started buying points, I really didn't have any friends that were interested in building points with me. Now I'm starting to get points all over the place but don't hardly have anybody to go with. Most hunts I don't mind doing solo but the wife doesn't like me going solo anywhere. It is a constant battle with her. Finding a good hunting partner is probably harder than the actual hunting.
JEandAsGuide
Active Member
I'm in the same boat ND. I started several years ago and all my hunting buddies have kinda slacked on the points building or never really started. We have made hunts together each of the last 2 years and another coming this year on OTC/General or leftover tags but I should be drawing some decent tags in the next couple years for different species in several different states. Unless one of them can get a leftover cow or doe tag when I draw, I will be going solo too. My wife also frowns when I mention a week long solo hunt.
Cool thread! My #1 mistake was waiting to play the game, albeit just recently was I able to afford the game and still not sure I can!
I learned quick that chasing those "trophy" units were not for me. Sure I still put in for them but my goal every fall is to travel West and hunt. Basically it took me a couple years to devise a plan, now that I have one its an addiction that I never want to shake, Western Hunting.
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I learned quick that chasing those "trophy" units were not for me. Sure I still put in for them but my goal every fall is to travel West and hunt. Basically it took me a couple years to devise a plan, now that I have one its an addiction that I never want to shake, Western Hunting.
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
How about mistakes residents make!!! I made a big one. I opened todays mail and received my resident elk tag. Upon looking at it, I noticed the unit was wrong! Called Parks & Wildlife and they verified it was what I applied for. I wanted a unit near my home place, but got one 100 miles away. It is the same unit I drew for a 4th season deer tag. Only thing I can think is that I just screwed up and wrote the same unit on both applications. I have 2 choices (as there are no left overs), return tag for refund or go hunting. I am going to have to do lots of extra scouting, but I am determined to fill this tag!
Look at the bright side, I will be hunting a totally new area for elk and maybe I can learn something about it!
All you young guys have this to look forward to, get old and have brain farts and make mistakes. LOL
Look at the bright side, I will be hunting a totally new area for elk and maybe I can learn something about it!
All you young guys have this to look forward to, get old and have brain farts and make mistakes. LOL
I wonder how many of us are in that same boat. If you didn't grow up in a hunting family or you took up hunting late this can be a frustrating obstacle, especially if you don't live out West.
I'm with you on that. Sad, but true. Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
I'm not sure I want to list 2-10. It makes it far easier to draw tags with so many guys making mistakes.
Seriously, it is always a decision on what to teach and what info to hold close to your chest.
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Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Here are a few, in no particular order:
A lot of guys think Idaho is the easier place to draw a sheep tag. The NR allocation greatly affects the apparent odds. I have only applied in Idaho for sheep 2 or 3 times in 30 years and I am pretty serious when it comes to sheep apps.
The mentality that "someone has to draw" is a very good way to waste a lot of money and not have quality tags to show for it. Always look at the cost to apply each year and how many years you expect to apply for that tag (draw odds) and consider the economics of drawing a particular tag.
If I was a non-resident just starting out and wanting to draw a sheep tag somewhere, unless your costs are very reasonable (such as in your own state), I would instead save my money for a guided sheep hunt rather than trying to draw a tag, especially in states with point systems. 98 guys out of 100 will be money ahead with this approach.
I never cease to be amazed at how many NRs travel half way across the nation to hunt some junky area year after year and complain about their lack of success.
A lot of guys think Idaho is the easier place to draw a sheep tag. The NR allocation greatly affects the apparent odds. I have only applied in Idaho for sheep 2 or 3 times in 30 years and I am pretty serious when it comes to sheep apps.
The mentality that "someone has to draw" is a very good way to waste a lot of money and not have quality tags to show for it. Always look at the cost to apply each year and how many years you expect to apply for that tag (draw odds) and consider the economics of drawing a particular tag.
If I was a non-resident just starting out and wanting to draw a sheep tag somewhere, unless your costs are very reasonable (such as in your own state), I would instead save my money for a guided sheep hunt rather than trying to draw a tag, especially in states with point systems. 98 guys out of 100 will be money ahead with this approach.
I never cease to be amazed at how many NRs travel half way across the nation to hunt some junky area year after year and complain about their lack of success.
You can only imagine how much I hear of these stories. OTC group hunts of 10+ guys where they sometimes all get skunked year after year and applying for deer in units where trespass fees are dang near a requirement. Or opting to use an outfitter and pay well over what a landowner tag, hotel & eats would cost where they could see more deer & more quality going in blind.
Agree 100% on points 1 & 2.
I don't know that guys are money ahead on a guided sheep hunt anymore because of how much sheep hunts have gone up, doubling in price over the last 10 years, but it is obviously the surest way to hunt.
The average price to hunt Dall's sheep in Alaska now is $16K base price plus $2k in tips + RT air fare + taxidermy and often a charter flight, depending on which range you hunt. It's hard to do one much under $20k all-in. Sheep numbers are way down right now due to too much resident pressure and a couple of icy winters with massive winterkill.
A Dall's sheep hunt is about $24K average base price in the Yukon, though I've seen as low as $19.5K. Figure high $20s all-in. Higher price but usually a better hunt.
The NWT is similar to the Yukon or slightly higher and the commercial air fare is usually $1,000 higher. Great hunting though, with much better weather, easier mountains, more time on horses or Argos and a much higher chance for a 40" ram than Alaska.
Canadian bighorns and Stone's sheep run $30-40K base, though fannins (counted as Stone's sheep by B&C) with the right outfitter can be in the high $20s base. Desert sheep in Mexico are more like $50-$60K, twice the price of shooting giant Marco Polo sheep in Mongolia, the most impressive sheep on the planet.
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NDHunter
Veteran member
I totally agree. Along those same lines, I think it is silly to apply for "points only" everywhere. To be honest, I occasionally do it myself but did a lot less of it this year. To buy points only in a state like WY where you at least have a chance at drawing a tag every year makes no sense. If you're going to build points somewhere, at least apply for a tag!
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
If you consider that most lower 48 NR sheep hunts run in the neighborhood of $100 for each 0.5% of draw odds. Even the most simple analysis is that that would take 200 such apps (if you do the math, its actually more), equating to $20,000 in app fees. Since the majority of guys who finally draw go guided, tack on another $6000 to $10,000 for an outfitter and more for tips. Add the license fee of around $1500 to $3000, travel costs and you are in the neighborhood of a $30,000 sheep hunt.
Of course that is completely different for someone in striking distance for a tag with points who has an actual chance to draw. I am in that boat in AZ and should draw in the next 10-12 years with around 35 points.
Another option, is where the costs are low, for example UT, AZ or NV if you are already buying the license to apply for other species. But remember, in places like Utah, there are typically over 1000 applicants per sheep tag, so that cheap app fee will typically need to be paid for 20 hunting lifetimes to actually draw.
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buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
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The issue I have with applying for sheep hunts is that there is no guarantee that I would eventually draw given the amount of point creep that is happening. If I instead save my money for a north of the border sheep hunt, Once I have the money saved I would be able to go on a sheep hunt. Money talks. The other major concern I have is the length of time it takes to draw. I don't know what my health will be like in 30 years or even if I will be alive. At least if I'm saving money for a sheep hunt and I meet my maker, the money can be used by wife and children.