Increase in Tag Applications

[NEWHunter]

With the draw just having wrapped up and results having been announced, I thought folks might be interested in this article WY Fish and Game posted on their website - https://wgfd.wyo.gov/News/More-hunters-applying-in-Wyoming-than-in-recent-hi

Wondering what people's thoughts are on the increase in applications and what that means for future hunting opportunities. I certainly saw the increase in applicants in the antelope units I was looking at. I found it interesting that there was a bigger proportional increase in applicants for doe tags as compared to buck tags. I'd guess that folks figure if they are heading afield they want as many opportunities to bring home meat as possible.

And don't forget to apply for your HMA permission slips

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Well I didn't draw my deer tag with max points and a special tag. Could have drawn it on a regular tag....go figure.

 

[Kodiak]

I wouldn’t be supposed to an increase in application fees. It might knock some of the less serious people out of the draw. I know many people in town who pull an elk tag or coveted deer tag and then never get around to hunting it. It might thin them out a little.

 

[Fish]

Burned my deer points on a limited draw tag. I was going to apply for just a general deer area next year but it looks like I'll have to go in the special draw to draw the areas I want. It wasn't so long ago they were left over tags there. My antelope areas went up another point to draw it.

It kind of looks like a lot of people burnt their points so maybe it will a bit easier to draw if you have a few points in the bank for next year.

 

[NEWHunter]

I wouldn?t be supposed to an increase in application fees. It might knock some of the less serious people out of the draw. I know many people in town who pull an elk tag or coveted deer tag and then never get around to hunting it. It might thin them out a little.

Well, the cost of a moose point going from $75 to $150 knocked me out of the running for a WY moose. I won't be applying for that anymore. I can apply in another state and buy points for 3 or 4 species for a little more than the cost of a WY moose point now. I just wish I knew the cost of a point was going to double before I spent $75 last year.

 

[Zim]

Well, the cost of a moose point going from $75 to $150 knocked me out of the running for a WY moose. I won't be applying for that anymore. I can apply in another state and buy points for 3 or 4 species for a little more than the cost of a WY moose point now. I just wish I knew the cost of a point was going to double before I spent $75 last year.

NEWHunter,
Welcome to the western hunting game. Such "changes" are unfortunately a constant risk in all states with these lotteries. They do it only because they run monopolies using federal land. In private industry you'd be thrown in jail for their practices. Or customers would take their business to a competitor. But that is the way it is. I have applied in 12 total states over the years and New Hampshire was the lone state not to move the goalposts in the middle of the game. At least I was able to get a moose tag before bailing on that WY species. Never looked back. Same for sheep there. At least you weren't invested for 5 or 6 "hostage" points. That would be even worse.

BTW nice town Brookfield. I'm up there on business several times a year. I inspect all the Milwaukee & suburb post office facilities for repairs. We have an FSO in Hales Corners.

 

[bdan68]

I think a lot of it has to do with the economy. People are optimistic about the future and have the money, and are willing to spend it on an out of state hunt. If unemployment was high, and people were struggling just to get by, you'd see a lot fewer Wyoming applications.

The other factor is simply that people are becoming more aware of hunting opportunities in the Western states, and social media, and hunting forums such as this one, are definitely part of the reason for that.

 

[NEWHunter]

NEWHunter,
Welcome to the western hunting game. Such "changes" are unfortunately a constant risk in all states with these lotteries. They do it only because they run monopolies using federal land. In private industry you'd be thrown in jail for their practices. Or customers would take their business to a competitor. But that is the way it is. I have applied in 12 total states over the years and New Hampshire was the lone state not to move the goalposts in the middle of the game. At least I was able to get a moose tag before bailing on that WY species. Never looked back. Same for sheep there. At least you weren't invested for 5 or 6 "hostage" points. That would be even worse.

BTW nice town Brookfield. I'm up there on business several times a year. I inspect all the Milwaukee & suburb post office facilities for repairs. We have an FSO in Hales Corners.

Zim, hopefully one of your applications has been for a Wisconsin bear tag. The tag and the points are pretty cheap for non-residents and we have some good bears up here. The key is finding the right guide, which usually runs about $1,000 +/- a couple hundred. I've been working with the DNR here to try and get our bear points for non-residents raised from a whopping $4.50 to an obscene $35.

I'm new to the Brookfield area (Green Bay originally) - Brookfield is nice except for the deer. They are destroying my cherry and peach trees. I've had to spend a small fortune on fencing and repellents - never would have guessed it as I live ridiculously far from the nearest bedding area/travel corridor. Unfortunately, I have too many neighbors to take care of the deer permanently.

 

[hunter25]

Zim, hopefully one of your applications has been for a Wisconsin bear tag. The tag and the points are pretty cheap for non-residents and we have some good bears up here. The key is finding the right guide, which usually runs about $1,000 +/- a couple hundred. I've been working with the DNR here to try and get our bear points for non-residents raised from a whopping $4.50 to an obscene $35.

I'm new to the Brookfield area (Green Bay originally) - Brookfield is nice except for the deer. They are destroying my cherry and peach trees. I've had to spend a small fortune on fencing and repellents - never would have guessed it as I live ridiculously far from the nearest bedding area/travel corridor. Unfortunately, I have too many neighbors to take care of the deer permanently.

I just checked mine. Shows I have 3 points but have applied 4 times. Idk.
Anyway I grew up north of Green Bay. Currently live in Colorado. Plan to go back n hunt but I believe it takes a few more years.
I apply in Michigan and Minnesota as well. All very low fees.

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