Looking to buy just the bonus point out of Utah and I just want to be clear that I have to buy the non-resident license for $65 and once I purchase that I will be able to buy a point? or am I missing something? How much is just the point? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks
Bonus point question
- Thread starter westenvy
- Start date
Musket Man
Veteran member
The deadline to apply was march 4. I think you can get points only for a week or 2 after the app deadline but I would make sure before you buy a license. You do have to have a license to apply or get points and the points arent alot, I think its actually an application fee.
Yes, I completed the application today for Utah for bonus points. Yes, you have to buy the annual hunting license to get the preference point. Kind of crazy, I had to spend $85 to get an elk and a deer preference point, but don't want to give up the points I've already collected.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
As long as you apply earlier next year, you can use your hunting license for two years of applications. The hunting license is valid for 365 days.
I tend to like to apply close to the Utah deadline also, that way you have the Wyoming elk draw results before submitting your Utah apps.
I tend to like to apply close to the Utah deadline also, that way you have the Wyoming elk draw results before submitting your Utah apps.
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Alabama
Veteran member
Yep the $65 license is required and it is $10 per species to apply for the points. You can apply until March 20.
So I just bought my NR general hunting lic for $65 and some points. One question. What is the difference between the deer "bonus" and deer "preference" point? It looks like the "bonus" point for deer is for LE hunts and the preference point is for the general hunt.
Any insight on if both of these is a good idea, or if one is not needed. I guess that itty bitty $10 fee sucked me right in. These are my first ever points for "Out West". I'm excited, but it'll be a while before I'm hunting any big game in Utah. I plan on buying points until at least 2017, but with this mandatory hunting license I might have to make a trip or two out there to bird hunt and scout.
Any insight on if both of these is a good idea, or if one is not needed. I guess that itty bitty $10 fee sucked me right in. These are my first ever points for "Out West". I'm excited, but it'll be a while before I'm hunting any big game in Utah. I plan on buying points until at least 2017, but with this mandatory hunting license I might have to make a trip or two out there to bird hunt and scout.
Musket Man
Veteran member
Alabama
Veteran member
Basically there are 30 general deer areas that took a max of 4 preference points to draw. About 95% of those can be draw with 2 points or less. There are 9 LE units that will take years 20+ to draw in the bonus pass. You have a chance to draw without max points but it is very low. Typically 3% or less. I'm talking rifle odds, you could up your chances a little for muzzleloader and even more for archery. Point creep is killing the points it takes to draw. The 2 best units (henries and paunsaguant unit) you and I will never catch. People 5-6 points behind max will probably never catch up unless some of the top point holders die or choose some other unit to get to hunt. Buy general points because you will be able to hunt. Buy bonus points if you want to roll the dice for $10 and the chance at a great tag.
provoflyfisher
New Member
You are correct, preference points for general season hunts and bonus points for limited and premium hunts. If you can swing the $10 for the bonus points then buy them. You will have a much better chance in drawing a general season tag in one of 30 units than limited or premium units. If you are planning on DIY hunts you would be much better off picking one of the 30 units and hunting it every couple years. If you only want to hunt every 10-20 years than build up bonus points and hunt a "slightly" better limited unit. The best way to find and kill deer is to have a tag in your pocket and be familiar with your hunting area. I would pick a general season unit on the type of hunting you want to do - high mountain basins, high desert sagebrush, driving roads or backpacking. If you are driving from the Midwest then units in the Northeast part of the state may be better suited (Wasatch Mtns, Avintaquin/Currant Creek)?
The only elk and pronghorn points available to buy were "bonus" points. Are all the elk and ph limited/premium hunts? I looked at the draw odds for deer and saw that there are quite a few units you can draw with few points which I'm excited about. Looks like a decent chance to get to know an area and try to work up some good deer hunts.
What should I anticipate for my elk and pronghorn points? How long to draw for a decent hunt? The elk odds look to be all over the place. I know that's a horrible question but trying to get a sense if the elk is like a 5-7 year thing or like 20. I'm not looking for a trophy elk hunt but would hold out for a unit with something decent (maybe 250"s).
What should I anticipate for my elk and pronghorn points? How long to draw for a decent hunt? The elk odds look to be all over the place. I know that's a horrible question but trying to get a sense if the elk is like a 5-7 year thing or like 20. I'm not looking for a trophy elk hunt but would hold out for a unit with something decent (maybe 250"s).
Thanks for all the help. Another good chunk of money spent today in Utah. I thought there was a "bonus point" for elk as well, but a quick phone call to the DOW clarified that quickly to complete the application.
provoflyfisher
New Member
For elk you will have a long wait, probably 15-20 years before you have a reasonable chance to get a tag. But, you may get one in your first year! If you put in for the Wasatch Mtns Avintaquin deer hunt you can learn the area and maybe one day hunt elk in the same unit. As far as pronghorn it will be a little sooner to get a tag, maybe only 5-10 years. If you want to hunt deer, elk and pronghorn I would suggest you buy points for Wyoming as well. No need to buy a license and points are $50, 40, and $30 for elk, deer and pronghorn.
Alabama
Veteran member
Preference points only apply to general deer. That means those with the most points will draw before someone with lower points. The bonus points are for pronghorn, elk, deer, bison, moose, mountain goat, rocky mountain bighorn, and desert bighorn. Only 2 days left guys!