CA zone X9a
- Thread starter Muleys 24/7
- Start date
Kevin Root
Very Active Member
650 tags for X9A last year, a whopping 5 tags in 2011 for G39. It took 8 points as a low in 2010 to pull a G39 tag but 2 points was the lowest for X9A according to last stats I saw on the CA F&G site.
Hope your able to pull the tag Muleys 24/7. I've never drawn or put in for either of the zones. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in the draw in 2012.
Hope your able to pull the tag Muleys 24/7. I've never drawn or put in for either of the zones. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in the draw in 2012.
Thanks for the info, I should get drawn for utah general deer this year so after I see utahs results, I'll know if I should put in for X9a......or maybe hold off till I rack a few more points up for G39.
BigSurArcher
Very Active Member
Keep in mind... unless you have max points, you are no different than a guy with zero points for tags like G39. All of the preference quota goes to max point holders only, and everyone else is left with the random quota. The CA draw system is pathetic.
dustyboots
Member
I agree that the CA points system is pathetic. Since CA doesn't offer enough tags on limited entry units vs the amount of applicants you are screwed if you are not in the max point pool and often times it is impossible or near impossible to make it to the max point pool since there are not enough tags to purge the system. If you're not in the max points pool its cross your fingers for a random draw tag. In my opinion they should offer a system that has a higher percentage of random tags allotted maybe like Utah or Nevada's system but also still reward people for consistently applying.
That's rite, you guys are 100% correct. I aways put what ever X zone first just to build points and maybe hit one of them on the random draw if I get lucky. If there's no luck I always end up with a local D zone. Califorina really needs to get their crap together, I wish they would just shut a few of the local zones down for a couple years. If they were to do that we'd have alot better odds for hunting a trophy, but that'll never happen cause they're all about the money.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
I don't think it's pathetic. It is very similar to Colorado. I really like the way Cali does it actually!! I think guys that have been putting in longer should get the tag, or a better chance anyways. I also like the 10% going to non max points. Can't help on your zone but all of the info you asked for is in the booklet.
cali_hornhunter
Active Member
ya theres ups and downs to Ca's draw system but i do agree with dr horsepower on the guys that have been putting in forever a good case my father he's been putting in for elk ever since he could and hasnt got drawn and i was lucky enough to draw a junior elk tag with only 4 points i guess its just the luck of the draw you know
dustyboots
Member
While California's system is very similar to Colorado's system the difference is Colorado issues enough tags/permits that you can foresee when you may be able to realistically draw a tag. The problem with the system in California is that there are not enough tags vs the number of applicants so if you are not already in max pool you are unlikely to see a LE tag unless there is a drastic change in the number of tags, you get extremely lucky or the drawing system is changed take for example elk hunt 305 in 2010 there were 3390 applicants, 938 having max points which would get 12 tags and 3 tags going to the random draw. So if you have max points your odds would be 1.27% and after the preference quota there are 3378 applicants left for the remaining 3 random tags. At the current tag quota is would take 79 years to clear the max point pool so if I am not that pool I am unable to ever realistically have an opportunity at 80% of the available tags even for missing an application for one year since the systems inception. I agree that people who have been applying longer should have better odds than others who have not been however this is a broken system unless you are in the max points pool. Why should people new to the sport/state even attempt to build points if there is no way they can realistically get in the max points pool even within a lifetime? This only one example there are countless other when you look through the big game digest.
BigSurArcher
Very Active Member
What about the younger hunters that will never ever have a chance at a good tag unless they miraculously draw in the "random" pool? It's not their fault that they were born when they were. It's really gonna look stupid down the road when the only people getting tags are those with 25 or more points, and then everyone with 0-24 points have EQUAL odds for the random tag(s). How on earth is that fair? I think it should be a system like Nevada's where your number of points is multiplied by a set number and that's how many chances you get in the draw... that way the people who have applied the longest still have the best chance, but younger hunters or late-bloomers still have hope.
BigSurArcher, I have to agree with you being that I would be considered a younger hunter and you too, It would take me a LONG time to reach 25 points. I know Califorina Bighorn desert sheep and Elk will be even harder to draw with so few tags, for example my buddys dad has been putting in for bighorn desert sheep for many,many years without being drawn and now age is working against him.
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packer58
Very Active Member
BigSurArcher, you make a very good point about the young hunters that "came of age" after 2002. Those kids don't really have a realistic chance of drawing one of the better premium units for many years (or ever). Another thing to keep in mind is, if you have aquired a "modified preference point" every year you will be going into this years draw with 10 points, if for some reason you drop a year it effectively takes you out of the race until the number of first choice max point applicants is less than the number of available tags. California's point system sucks no dout, it's basicly one....maybe two premium hunts and it's over. (especially rifle hunts) Nevada's system is hands down better than California.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Is that the points systems fault? it is a simple issue of supply not meeting demand. Everyone knows the odds going into it and you will have to take licks to get your shot. If they upped the tags, there wouldn't be a premium tag in the state. My opinion being a young guy myself and bigsur is of course I would like a shot at those tags like everyone else that has been putting in for 25 years, and I do just not as good of one, however if I was the guy putting in longer than I have been alive, I'd feel a little different, the purpose of points system is to get those people tags who have been dedicated and not to have the playing field even. I also wish the would allot 5 times the amount of tags but then I wouldnt have a good shot at a trophy.
My moms boyfriend has 20 something points in Colorado for elk and he's still not sure if he is going to draw a tag this year. He could buy an OTC tag in the same state but he has been taking his licks at a premium tag, I'd be a little hot if someone drew that tag with 1 point if I was him wouldn't you?
I don't know,back to Cali, I would rather build max points and knowing I have a shot in my lifetime at an elk or sheep than put in every year and having a slim to none shot by an exponential factor.
I also agree with giving younger generations hope however where do you draw that line? When I turned 18 I took responsibilities as an adult, should I have an unfair advantage of a 35 year old? The point of younger generation tags 12-(16,18) is to get them involved outdoors and hopefully they will catch the bug. If you apply after that I think you caught it!
Nevada has a great system also. They make their points exponential to keep things fair for the guys that have a ton of points, and still there are guys that have been putting in for over 20 years as resident and haven't drawn that elk tag. Even worse for sheep etc. it is like that every where you go not just California. One thing I like about non res in Cali that residents probalably don't like is I have the same shot at deer as you do
I do have to pay alot more for a tag though. Thanks bigsur for giving me another angle at it. Along with everyone else. I am young and hope to be in that 900+ for 12 tags group one day and am working on it, I hope to outlive 888! Hehe.
I think this is a great conversation, it is bringing different views into view which is always a good thing. More views around anything and you gain a clearer picture.
H3Dad
New Member
You will be chasing G39 even if you have max points but the pay off is huge if you draw. When you get down to it there are only a few units that you will wait a lifetime for. Most all other units will be drawn if you have max points. The downside is you may wait a lifetime to hunt the same quality of animals you can hunt in other states every year, with the exception of sheep or Tule elk. There are plently of great hunts to choose from that can easily be drawn. I just accumulate points for the best units and hope to draw in my lifetime and plan the same quality hunts or better hunts in other states that I can draw. California is just shot in the dark for a good hunt in their hardest draw units.
I would feel the same if I was a non-res hunter to CA. We don't discriminate, and I guess it's some what fair in that aspect.One thing I like about non res in Cali that residents probalably don't like is I have the same shot at deer as you do
Our group drew x9a in 2010 we had been putting in as party of three and got drawn on the 4th attempt. Its different hunting than huntin d7 alot of open sage,unless you hunt the west side of 395, but there are some great bucks in the zone. We brought home 3 nice bucks. Started puttin in for a new zone last year,but probably goin to take a little longer due to the number of people in the group(6). Good luck and if you get drawn get maps and do some scouting you"ll see some awsome velevted bucks