Big Chief J
Active Member
I know some Wyoming residents feel like us nonresidents are telling them how to run their draws, but we're just expressing our experiences with preference point systems. It feels like chasing a unicorn sometimes.
Resident Preference Points for Deer, Elk and Antelope??
- Thread starter highplainsdrifter
- Start date
I value the opinion of nonresidents! Many have experience with Wyoming's nonresident preference point system as well as with preference point systems in others states. I encourage all of you to speak up!
QuazyQuinton
Active Member
Well, my opinion is worth exactly what you're paying for it, so keep that in mind.
First point, I've seen several statements referencing Colorado's preference point system as a comparison to this proposal in Wyoming. Assuming Wyoming would follow the model they use with nonresidents, it would not be the same as Colorado's preference point system. I believe Wyoming's nonresident system is actually most similar to Oregon's draw system. Now I know some wise guy will pop up and say you for sure don't want a system like Oregon's, but I do think you need to compare apples to apples if you're going to reference other states. For example, those of you who like random draws would still get one (albeit with lesser odds), unlike the Colorado system. (They do have the hybrid draw, I guess, but I'm not sure that contributes much.)
Second point, I see people referencing opportunities for kids. Which system would actually put more tags in kids' hands? "Well son, it's been great hunting with you as a youth! You never actually drew a tag, but it was so much fun holding our breath every year knowing you had a 0.3% chance of getting that tag of a lifetime."
Third point, coming from Oregon with our draw system, I feel like I benefit from our point system. I hunt, my wife hunts, my kids hunt, and I occasionally take another kid or two hunting. With the point system, I can make plans. Everybody can have a turn every year. I'm constantly scouring the regulation booklet, as well as a couple of other sources, to find opportunities that fit multiple schedules and point levels. That would not be possible with a random draw system, unless we only applied for hunts with 100% odds. Obviously it also means we're not hunting top-tier units, but I'd rather hunt than stay home. (To be fair, Wyoming has more opportunity than Oregon, so that may equilibrate to a different need for ability to plan.)
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Speaking from a NR viewpoint, I really don't care for some of the provisions in the current system. The "Special" tag is especially maddening to me. Pay extra (almost double!) and get in a separate draw that supposedly increases your odds to get the tag. Ain't necessarily so. Last year (2018) I applied for a Special deer tag with max NR points. Not successful, but if I had been in the regular draw, I would have got the tag. Just another way to squeeze more money out of us. Once I draw and use my points for deer, that will be it. I will only be hunting Wyoming for antelope.
I've hunted Wyoming as a NR since 1980. I remember when there was no point system, just a pure lottery draw. Never had a lot of trouble drawing tags before the point system was instituted. IMHO it is just another way of getting into hunters wallets. Here in Colorado it is not any better. I have to really stay on top of my game to draw tags every year and avoid OTC seasons. Some years I have to apply for units that are not top producing areas, but at least I'm in the field and not sitting at home. I waited 16 years to draw an antelope tag in a good unit, at my age I'll never get to hunt it again. Personally I would like to see any point system (no Matter what state) go away....fat chance!
I've hunted Wyoming as a NR since 1980. I remember when there was no point system, just a pure lottery draw. Never had a lot of trouble drawing tags before the point system was instituted. IMHO it is just another way of getting into hunters wallets. Here in Colorado it is not any better. I have to really stay on top of my game to draw tags every year and avoid OTC seasons. Some years I have to apply for units that are not top producing areas, but at least I'm in the field and not sitting at home. I waited 16 years to draw an antelope tag in a good unit, at my age I'll never get to hunt it again. Personally I would like to see any point system (no Matter what state) go away....fat chance!
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
I just talked to a group of guys at the LGS and told them about the preference point for residents bill. None had heard about it. There were 4 guys at the counter and more arrived when they heard what was being discussed. Everyone there was all for preference points. I don't know if that means anything of not. It sure was eye opening for me though. I thought there'd be some guys against it. Had a doctor's appointment today too, my doctor is also an elk hunter. I ran it by him. He thought it was a good idea too. So there you go. A small slice of hunters for sure but all were for it. Go figure.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
If it is enacted, I'd like to hear what they have to say 5 years afterwards.
Conrad8899
Active Member
What I am hearing from people is... They haven't drawn a limited quota tag in years.. And sum draw every year.. So they want there limited quota tag.. They believe since Wyoming doesn't have as large as a population as other preference point states... That it impossible to have point creep.. I am bye no means a supporter of preference point system...
JimP
Administrator
There will be point creep in the better harder to draw units for any of the animals.
But I believe that the majority of units you should be able to draw every couple or three years with a point system.
I'll throw Utah into the mix. They have preference points for their deer tags and usually a hunter can draw a tag every couple of years for just about all the units. There are some that will take 4 or 5 but they are the exception rather than the rule.
But I believe that the majority of units you should be able to draw every couple or three years with a point system.
I'll throw Utah into the mix. They have preference points for their deer tags and usually a hunter can draw a tag every couple of years for just about all the units. There are some that will take 4 or 5 but they are the exception rather than the rule.
Big Chief J
Active Member
It seems like the NR point system is acceptable for Wyoming pronghorn for now. That's due to a big supply of tags. Elk is another story.
I always hear the rumors about "so and so" drawing a coveted tag every year in random draws, but they will never prove it by sharing their log in information.
Texas has a bonus point system and I'm willing to bet most applicants don't understand it.
I always hear the rumors about "so and so" drawing a coveted tag every year in random draws, but they will never prove it by sharing their log in information.
Texas has a bonus point system and I'm willing to bet most applicants don't understand it.
The Wyoming Hunters and Anglers Alliance has created a poll on HB0042...the preference point bill. As of this morning, with about 1,000 votes cast, the tally is running 87% against the bill. You can cast your vote at the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/WYHAA/
https://www.facebook.com/WYHAA/
RICMIC
Veteran member
I can see why some WY resident hunters would go for a point system. They could build points and apply for limited draw areas with increasing odds as the points accumulate if they don't draw. If they don't draw they can hunt with a general tag in a good part of the state that NRs can't draw without using points. The toilet seat will slam loudly on their heads if the state were to make all the zones subject to the point system. A good example is the G deer tag. It is up to 6+ pts. for a NR, but its OTC for residents.
The Eastmans have posted a blog against the preference point bill. So those of us who are against the bill are in good company 
Thank you Guy!!
https://blog.eastmans.com/the-myth-of-preference-points/?utm_source=Eastmans.com+Newsletter&utm_campaign=91b46c4ca5-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_Vortex_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_aec388f646-91b46c4ca5-9855573
Thank you Guy!!
https://blog.eastmans.com/the-myth-of-preference-points/?utm_source=Eastmans.com+Newsletter&utm_campaign=91b46c4ca5-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_Vortex_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_aec388f646-91b46c4ca5-9855573
dan maule
Veteran member
In my opinion Preference points are just a way for the states to create a revenue stream without having to issue tags. Thought it was a great idea at first but now every year I am 1 PP short of drawing a tag as point creep has set in.
nunt'butmuleys
Member
- Nov 29, 2016
- 77
- 0
I'm on the NO NO NO as CC mentioned. got enough points in other states and way behind the draw for areas I was wanting to try for so ill be looking into areas I might have a chance at drawing then probably bail on the game, stick to Wyoming and hunt here.
wycathunter
New Member
I guess im on the fence still about how or how not this would be a good idea, colorado in my opinion has a good set up for allowing their otc bull tags in certain areas and having their limited draw areas in other areas, while allowing you to build points to hunt a limited draw area and having an otc bull tag every year until then. Wy tag quotas will not change from switching just be the areas that have a 30% percent chance youd get it every 3-4 years and the lesser areas a little longer and the higher draw areas sooner. no one is gonna change areas if they wanna put in for area 1 or 100 its gonna take time but they will get there or the people who put in for the 60% plus will get it every other year. and for the years you dont draw if you can still go general on a any elk tag like many do now how is it gonna be any different from what people do already and now youre guranteed a tag at some point. there will be point creep but the low population of people in the state vs high number of elk and elk quotas i dont thing it will be much of a differnece. thats my opinion looking for other opinions.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
There are units in Colorado.. where residents have 20+ years worth of points and are still a decade or more away from drawing that tag... let's take area 56-1 for example in Wyoming...10 tags, 2 to non-res...8 left.. now 25% go random.. so minus 2... now 6 tags for the all-mighty preference point holders... last year 158 1st choice applicants... So roughly 1 in 20.. that means that for "max" point holders who get in on the 1st year of buying tags, you are looking at least at 20 years for them each to get their tag... so for anyone else your basically screwed.. if you actually think point creep won't effect the 30% chance areas right now, then you haven't paid attention to preference point states around us, where all their areas have gone up in point creep as the years go by. Id rather it stay random, or be like idaho with some sort of year or 2 waiting period after you draw a 1st choice tag of that species
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Hilltop
Veteran member
I think the waiting period makes a lot of sense... but how does the state make extra money off of that? That's really what this is about...$$$.
Big Chief J
Active Member
Based upon the 2018 statistics, it will only take 48.66 years to go through the "class of 2018" for Area 100-Type 1 Elk if a true preference point system was implemented last year. That's assuming the number of applicants an tag numbers stayed similar.
3163 applicants for 65 tags.
3163 applicants for 65 tags.
JimP
Administrator
The biggest problem is that when you only have a certain number of tags and the ones wanting those tags far exceeds that number you are going to have problems.
If you go to a general draw you will have those that will never draw a tag, if you go to a PP set up you will have those that will wait forever to draw that same tag.
It is a dam if you do and dam if you don't.
If you go to a general draw you will have those that will never draw a tag, if you go to a PP set up you will have those that will wait forever to draw that same tag.
It is a dam if you do and dam if you don't.