"Point Creep"

Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
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Dolores, Colorado
Just got my Colorado Outdoors annual Pref Point edition today. Started checking some of the units I am saving points for and damn if they all didn't require more points than the years before. The antelope unit I want to hunt needed 12 last year, looks like it will be at least 13 this year. Same for elk and deer. Hard to catchup that way!!!
 
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enysse

New Member
Oct 31, 2011
35
0
New Holstein, WI
Point creep kills most people, look at Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming sheep...etc. Most states are just collecting millions of $$$'s and giving you a slim chance at good tag. It's a fact of life!
 
Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
8,363
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Dolores, Colorado
At least Colorado still has the Hybrid drawings. If I have 5 pts or more and a unit takes 10 or more to draw, they set aside 20% of the tags for random draw among those with 5 or more points.
 
Timberstalker

Timberstalker

Veteran member
Feb 1, 2012
2,242
6
Bend, Or
I don't know what all the other states are like, but Oregon is out of control. I started applying for Antelope when I was 27 years old, back then it took five years to draw the tag I wanted. Here I am now, 42 years old and just now have the 15 points required to draw that tag. After I draw I go back to zero, I will not apply in Oregon for antelope, it could take 25-30 years before I draw another one. I did the math one day and with the amount of points in the system now it would take 13 years to use all the points that are currantly in the system for antelope without selling anymore. Anyone who think points systems are a good thing doesn't apply in Oregon. I have been looking into applying out of state lately and it seeems I am already behind the eight ball in most states. I like Idaho's no points system.
 
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canvsbk

Active Member
Apr 8, 2012
176
0
Michigan
The preference point discussion certainly can get out of control at times. Lots of different opinions out there. Between point creep and going back to zero after you do draw it sure can seem futile at times. Not a fan of the point system myself but I also have no constructive answer to the question either. I will turn 60 this year so my focus is and has been on the easier to draw tags. It's a whole different picture at 60 than at 40.....
 
Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
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Dolores, Colorado
packer58 said:
CC,

Is the PP edition something a NR can get ahold of.
Click to expand...
Not sure. I subscribe (Wyoming Wildlife too) and get it monthly. It, along with several other specials each year, are part of the subscription package. The local grocery stores carry it in their magazine section, I'll look and if I see one I'll get it and let you know. You might also call (800) 417-8986 and ask ifit is available as a single purchase. Annual subscription is $13.00 for a subscription and special guides.

AS a side note, the state published outdoor/hunting/fishing magazines are usually pretty good and very reasonable.
 
Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

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Jun 8, 2011
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Dolores, Colorado
A comment unrelated to my other post this am.....

When preference point first started here( and other states too for that matter), I thought this is great. After receiving ( & buying) points for a lot of years, I really am not a fan! All it is for most states is a cash cow, I hate it!!! The only redeeming thing here in Colorado is that they are cheap and you get one for almost nothing if you don't draw a tag. The only other place I participate is Wyoming and it is a joke there. The best units, even with max points, are almost impossible to draw. If you have less than max, you might wait 25 years! I would rather see a total lottery, then you have a chance, no matter how small it is.

Rant over!!!
 
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enysse

New Member
Oct 31, 2011
35
0
New Holstein, WI
I have over a dozen years in the system and I have not drawn one premium tag, you read about the person who draws the tag in the random draw the first time in and it makes you sick.
If Idaho didn't charge for license just to put in the draw it would be a good system. New Mexico thanks to new legislation is a waste of time to put in for a tag...it's like playing a expensive lottery. Luckily, I'm just 40 years old and have time to hopefully make this pp system work for someday.
 
Old Hunter

Old Hunter

Banned
Dec 28, 2011
1,104
0
Buena Vista, Co.
I never thought the points system was a good thing. I've been kicking and screaming the whole way.

I've always said that if you live in a unit. You should have first pick on the tags. I'm still pissed that someone from out of state can come hunt where I live, and I can't.

Rant will never be over.
 
wapiti66

wapiti66

Active Member
Aug 21, 2011
286
0
Kansas
Im not a huge fan of the PP system either. Ive put in for points in Co for elk ever since I was going on youth hunts. I would get one point and go on a cow hunt in 49, that was a great time and started my addiction to elk hunting. Then through late high school and college I built up points and burned them in '10 on an archery elk hunt in 76. Now Im back to 2 and plan on burning them this year if I dont draw wyoming. I will not chase any high demand units again, point creep is ridiculous and Id rather go to a 2-3 point unit several times than wait 25 years to burn my points. I also put in for elk and moose points in wyo. in the past, but I think Im giving up on the moose because the time and money it will take to catch up (I have 2 now). My plan for moose is to save up and just book a moose hunt to Canada when I can afford it and when the time is right vs. when I can draw in the states. The PP issue is a tough one, it has it's advantages but I think there is getting to be so much demand for western big game hunts there is not enough to go around every year like we all wish. It's a game of long term commitment, and you do have an edge over that "lucky guy" putting in for the first time if you have points. Not sure I like the full lottery style either, any ideas on a better solution???
 
wapiti66

wapiti66

Active Member
Aug 21, 2011
286
0
Kansas
OH, at least when you see us dirty non-residents you can have comfort knowing our tag cost 10x what you paid. And most of us are "lost in the woods" hoping to get lucky.
 
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enysse

New Member
Oct 31, 2011
35
0
New Holstein, WI
It really should be simple, since NR are paying for everything they should pay 10x as much for a resident tag and they should be guaranteed 20% of all tags for any animal...anything less is criminal.
 
Kevin Root

Kevin Root

Very Active Member
Jun 22, 2011
868
0
San Jose, California
web.me.com
I've never cared for the point system. I can remember pulling tags in limited entry hunting units in my state far quicker when they did not have the point system. We have a whole lot bigger people population now here and that has to factor in but I'm just not a big fan of the point system. I may be living in the past a bit but it just was nice having more hunting options and pretty much being able to hunt where I wanted to back in the day.
 
Timberstalker

Timberstalker

Veteran member
Feb 1, 2012
2,242
6
Bend, Or
Points system vs no points example. In Oregon, Sheep and Goats are strictly lottery, no points. Deer, elk and antelope are all points system. I drew a sheep tag before I drew antelope tag im my 15 years of applying here. I'm not a fan, I like the way Idaho does it, I hope they don't change a thing, if they do I hope they actually charge for tag fees up front too. Less people applying = better odds. I am starting to thing I will just hire an outfitter rather than wait decades for a DIY hunt, in the long run the high demand tags are not cheap either. I am 43 this year and time is going by very rapidly, waiting 10-15 years for a tag is hard to swallow. Life's too short.
 
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