So I'm very new to western hunting as I've only lived in NM since last Oct. I would like to start building preference points in at least one other state for Bighorn, Mt Goats, and Moose. I know it's kinda late in the game this year and I might have missed out on some of the application deadlines already but I'm looking for any advice you guys have on which states I should start buying preference points for regarding these 3 animals. Thanks in advance.
Preference pt advice needed
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Musket Man
Veteran member
You have not missed any deadlines for getting points this season but the truth of the matter is starting out with 0 points you are going to be in for a very very long wait at best. Points needed to draw creep up every year and mathematically many applicants will never draw in their lifetime. I would look at hunts with a strait random draw so atleast you have the same chance as everyone else, or possibly hunts that use bonus points so atleast you have some chance of drawing. Info on each states trophy species hunts will be in the MRS in the next few issues or you can look at lastyears online if you dont still have the magazines.
trkytrack2
Active Member
You'd have better luck going to Canada. Just starting out anywhere in the U.S. you are in for many, many, many years of disappointment.
Here in the U.S.......maybe Idaho; anywhere else, you'd have better luck winning the Powerball.
Here in the U.S.......maybe Idaho; anywhere else, you'd have better luck winning the Powerball.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Excellent, excellent, excellent advice!!! Consider your odds and the cost to draw a tag. For example, if you have an 0.5% chance to draw and say it costs $100 to apply, statistically you will invest around $20,000 to draw that type of tag. That is basically gambling.
Please do NOT waste your money on Wyoming sheep or moose points. If you don't have 10 to 12 points you are wasting your money and will likely never draw barring a change to the system.
Don't waste your money in Montana. The odds are poor even for max point holders. Points are squared and you are 13 years behind the max. That means the max point holder has 170 times the odds you would (13 times 13 + current year). Odds are still very poor for max point holders.
Utah's odds for sheep, moose and goat are astronomical. If you are applying for other species anyways you might apply, which is basically like buying a lottery ticket. I have max points for desert sheep, and still have less than 0.4% chance to draw.
Colorado you will not even be eligible to draw for 3 years and you are 16 years behind max. I am at or near max points for all three species, and only have odds of 1 to 5% (depending on species).
Idaho is your best odds odds but the costs to apply are significant, and you have to pick one of the three, and can apply for nothing else.
The philosophy "someone has to draw" is basically gambling. You have to be strategic with your hunting dollars.
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Wow guys, I didn't realize the chances were that bleak. I do have Eastmans and the MRS sections so I'll take a closer look at them. I'll also apply each year to NM where I'm a resident right now but the draw odds are around 1% or less depending on the unit. Is there anywhere in the states worth buying points for any of those 3 species with the hopes of hunting in 15-20 yrs??
Musket Man
Veteran member
I think 1% is pretty good odds compared to alot of places. I apply in my home state because it dont cost much and I apply in Nevada because I apply for deer/elk/antelope and trophy species dont cost alot more there either. Other then that I havent seen any place that I think is worth it to start building points (worth it to me anyways).
Ridgerunner
Active Member
- Feb 21, 2011
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Musket Man
Veteran member
Atleast the Alaska hunt if you pay the money you can actually go on it. Here you could put alot of money into alot of states and never draw. I have been thinking about looking into the Barbary sheep in NM!
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I have max points in Wyoming for deer, and one for antelope and none for elk. Here in Colorado I have 13 for antelope and 5 for deer and 3 for elk. None anywhere else.
The Wyoming deer situation is pretty bad as the unit I want is only a 5% draw with max points, I am probably going to use them on another unit soon. (at my age I can't just keep buying points for a hunt that might never happen) I'll keep buying antelope tags as my hunting buddy and I can draw what we want every couple of years.
Colorado antelope is a different story. The Hybrid draw is used on the unit I really want to hunt (I'm 1 behind on pts). I drew it in 2012 with less than what was needed because of the Hybrid. Unfortunately I turned it in before season opened because I had to go to Calif on a family emergency...got all my points back! I can draw the deer and elk tag I want every 2 or 3 years here, so I'll keep getting points. Once I use up all my antelope point, won't buy any more.
Colorado is in their planning process for the next 5 years right now and they are asking for public comments on the PP situation...looks like were are in for a big change, at least that's the rumor.
The Wyoming deer situation is pretty bad as the unit I want is only a 5% draw with max points, I am probably going to use them on another unit soon. (at my age I can't just keep buying points for a hunt that might never happen) I'll keep buying antelope tags as my hunting buddy and I can draw what we want every couple of years.
Colorado antelope is a different story. The Hybrid draw is used on the unit I really want to hunt (I'm 1 behind on pts). I drew it in 2012 with less than what was needed because of the Hybrid. Unfortunately I turned it in before season opened because I had to go to Calif on a family emergency...got all my points back! I can draw the deer and elk tag I want every 2 or 3 years here, so I'll keep getting points. Once I use up all my antelope point, won't buy any more.
Colorado is in their planning process for the next 5 years right now and they are asking for public comments on the PP situation...looks like were are in for a big change, at least that's the rumor.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
CC can you expand on what you are hearing. I have felt Colorado may be very close to making a significant change, especially since they set the next 5 year season structure this year. I am thinking very very seriously of burning my pile of Colorado elk points this year.
OregonJim
Very Active Member
Timberstalker
Veteran member
One other thing to look at are raffle hunts, I know it's a gamble, but the odds are related to how much money you spend, plus a hunt with a much longer season and extended area.
I will use Oregon as an example(Oregon does not a have points sytem for sheep): In Oregon a non resident has to buy a non refundable liscense + app fee = totaL of $148.50 to apply for one of the very few draw hunts available to a non-res with draw odds in the the .9% to .3% range. Then IF you were lucky enough to draw then you have to buy the tag for $1300.50! You would have $1448.50 into your tag.
In the raffle you can have better odds at that cost and hunt any unit in the state for 2 months. If you were to spend $1448 on raffle tickets you would have about a 5% chance of winning the raffle according to last years ticket sales. WANNA GAMBLE?
I will use Oregon as an example(Oregon does not a have points sytem for sheep): In Oregon a non resident has to buy a non refundable liscense + app fee = totaL of $148.50 to apply for one of the very few draw hunts available to a non-res with draw odds in the the .9% to .3% range. Then IF you were lucky enough to draw then you have to buy the tag for $1300.50! You would have $1448.50 into your tag.
In the raffle you can have better odds at that cost and hunt any unit in the state for 2 months. If you were to spend $1448 on raffle tickets you would have about a 5% chance of winning the raffle according to last years ticket sales. WANNA GAMBLE?
Musket Man
Veteran member
i agree timber. Raffles are a good way to get your name in the hat more times and some offer better odds then applying for a tag. I think I would rather spend the $148 on raffle tickets then the hunting license.