Top 10 Mistakes Nonresidents Make in the Draw

[hoshour]

What would you put on the Top 10 List for mistakes nonresidents make when they apply for the draw?

Obviously, it varies by state because state draw types vary, sometimes by species. Examples are good, if you have them.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Not in any special order:

1) Not scouting. 2) Not being prepared for any/all weather conditions. 3) Not really knowing the rule/regs. 4) Not allowing enough time
5) Expecting a B&C animal every time. 6) Not sighting in their weapon. 7) Vehicles/equipment not in proper condition. 8) Forgetting something important at home. 9) Not being in the proper physical condition 10) Bringing their nonresident arrogance with them.

I realize them most of us here on this forum don't fit many of these circumstances, but in over 40 years of hunting & fishing the North American Continent I met more that do than I care to remember!!!

 

[hoshour]

Thanks, CC. Those are mistakes people make when hunting out of state and they're all good ones.

I was looking for mistakes people make on the draw application process itself, like applying for hunts they have no chance of drawing.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Thanks, CC. Those are mistakes people make when hunting out of state and they're all good ones.

I was looking for mistakes people make on the draw application process itself, like applying for hunts they have no chance of drawing.

Kinda eye tired tonight, didn't read it right. Maybe a little brain dead toooo. LOL I'll get that too, but tomorrow am.

 

[ore hunter]

Id say that a lot of people overlook the non-res quota and don't figure that into there odds as a #1 mistake.all states are different and its tougher than it seems to calculate your draw odds. Say even Idaho moose is a ton tougher as a non-resident than a resident.also some people don't work there 2nd choices in as a non-res,,,yet it is still very possible to draw if you calculate it with the right resources.ive drawn Utah deer as both a 2nd and a 3rd choice in recent years as a non-res,,believe it or not.got a Idaho 2nd choice drawn also 2 years ago

 

[Slugz]

Agree with Oregon Hunter. Its not rocket science but some of the stories I hear make no sense, mainly due to a lack of planning. You need to have a 2-3 to 5 year plan on what you are trying to accomplish and how. Through planning and a little data diving its not hard to " come up with solutions to allow predictable and repeatable results". Using Colorado as an example, no reason you cant be into animals year after year.

 

[ore hunter]

I think a lot of applicants also don't fully read how the draw system works in the different states that they apply in.for instance,new mexico and nevada draws out your choices if your lucky,,,verses say Oregon or Colorado or wyoming where they work everybodys 1st choice first,then down the line.Ive done a lot of studying to get this stuff mostly figured out.As I say,",next hunting season recon starts the day my last hunt ends"for the year.

 

[packmule]

1) Applying for hunts with conflicting dates.
2) Applying for a certain unit just to have a tag instead of waiting a couple of years.
3) Applying as a group in some cases.

 

[Matthoek21]

Here was the mistake I made. Started building points in CO. Had my eye on 61 for archery elk. When I started the process I had never heard of point creep. It took only 6 points. I also bought mule deer points. My plan was to archery hunt it for mule deer first and also use the mule deer hunt to scout the area so once I got my 6 elk points I could go back in there and know a little bit about the unit. And I'm sure everyone knows the rest of the story. So I burned my points on another unit.
Another mistake I made was with Wyoming, I was always under the impression that you had to have a guide to hunt WY, so I just never applied. Come to find out that only referred to the wilderness areas. I should have been applying all those years.
It's hard understanding all the information of all the western states when you grow up in the south hunting whitetails and have know one to help you with the process. Here in the south if you buy a deer license you can hunt the whole state not just one piece of the state or unit. We do have draw hunts but only for WMA's and certain state public hunting spots.
If I could have wished for anything it would have been some tutoring along this journey. Really would have helped a lot to have had a family member or close friend who knew the ins and outs of western hunting.

 

[kiwi]

Not collecting a few preference points before applying for a elk tag. Then winning a WY general tag and travelling half way around the world to (bow) hunt in the USA for the first time. No worries, she'll be right

 

[BigSurArcher]

1) Applying for low odds big-name units when the quality they're looking for can be had in easier to draw areas.
2) Applying for units based on word of mouth without researching stats first. One person's opinion on a unit is not universal.
3) Not factoring in details like season date moon phases and recent winter conditions when deciding whether to burn guaranteed points.
4) Not applying for multiple species in point building states. Get the most points per dollar as possible!
5) Submitting apps when results for other states will be out before the deadline. Plans can change very quickly; avoid over-committing.
6) Buying a license every year to apply in Utah.
7) Paying for Idaho Sheep/Goat/Moose apps with a credit card (+3% non-refundable)
8) Being afraid to use "too many points" on a currently hot unit. Hot spots don't last too long.
9) Not keeping application records organized. You never know when keeping that transaction number available is going to save you.
10) Leaving the box checked that allows states to put you on relentlessly annoying mailing lists.

Those are the first 10 things that came to mind here.

 

[marcusvdk]

1) Applying for low odds big-name units when the quality they're looking for can be had in easier to draw areas.
2) Applying for units based on word of mouth without researching stats first. One person's opinion on a unit is not universal.
3) Not factoring in details like season date moon phases and recent winter conditions when deciding whether to burn guaranteed points.
4) Not applying for multiple species in point building states. Get the most points per dollar as possible!
5) Submitting apps when results for other states will be out before the deadline. Plans can change very quickly; avoid over-committing.
6) Buying a license every year to apply in Utah.
7) Paying for Idaho Sheep/Goat/Moose apps with a credit card (+3% non-refundable)
8) Being afraid to use "too many points" on a currently hot unit. Hot spots don't last too long.
9) Not keeping application records organized. You never know when keeping that transaction number available is going to save you.
10) Leaving the box checked that allows states to put you on relentlessly annoying mailing lists.

Those are the first 10 things that came to mind here.

Number 6 is a good one glad some guys on here pointed that out before i made that mistake

 

[hoshour]

Matthoek21, studying the EHJ & EBJ MRS articles and tables will help you a lot.

Look for the draw process description and other regulations in the hunting booklet for each state you want to apply in. If you have trouble finding what you want, a call to the Game & Fish license dept will point you in the right direction and they can also generally answer your questions

 

[25contender]

Putting way to much emphasis on LE tags when there are so many great GE tags.

 

[Hilltop]

Some of the biggest mistakes I have seen are the easy ones. I ran into all of these through friends or clients over the last 20 years.

1- Missing the application deadline.
2- Applying for the wrong Type.
3- Applying with a debit card that has a daily set limit at the last minute.
4- Applying for wrong area when putting in for multiple species - for example Wyoming elk area 110 is not deer area 110.
5- Applying as a resident when not a resident of that state.
6- Waiting till the last minute to apply to find out there are web site issues.
7- Entering incorrect information on the form- address, gender...etc
8- Waiting until the last minute and making a rushed decision.
9- Not researching available areas/tags available.
10- Not applying at all....

 

[packmule]

1)When applying to "hot units", expecting the results you hear about. Ex: Take Randy Ulmer and his CO unit of choice. Quality statistics aren't really in your favor.

2)Assuming units that are 1-3pts for Archery/ML/early rifle/2nd aren't all that great those times of year despite 4th season requiring 10-18pts. Sure deer move down, some hole up right around where they'd be shot during a 4th. Figure those holes out and you can be on decent deer every 1-3yrs.

3) Expecting help on units you've never stepped foot on.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Thanks, CC. Those are mistakes people make when hunting out of state and they're all good ones.

I was looking for mistakes people make on the draw application process itself, like applying for hunts they have no chance of drawing.

If you don't apply you will NEVER draw for sure.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Numero Uno: Applying in Oregon expecting to draw a quality hunt.

 

[chiefgobbler]

Some I can relate to as a non-resident who has gone out of state for 30 years.

1. Even though you have the proper maps and chips and are on public land you can have heated confrontations with locals.

2. Completely understanding the regulations. Nailed once for my buddy not having a "meat tag" on his brother-in-law's Wyoming Deer we were transporting. He left a day early to get back to work. We were taking the deer to my buddy's taxidermist and meat processor. My truck, my ticket. 2A. Warning ticket for putting my tag inside a game bag to keep the wind from blowing it away in Wyoming. Tag has to be on the outside of the bag where the Warden can inspect it if you are not in camp.

3. Not having the ability to adequately scout an out of state unit.

4. Investing too much in a once in a lifetime unit. I am starting to draw some very hard to draw units. The problem is I will get to be there only once. Just start to learn the unit (see #3) and will never be able to go back. Instead of applying for numerous states it would have been better to use that money and by a land owner tag and return to an area you learn and like.

5. Holding out for 24 years to hunt NW Colorado Elk. Not drawn again this year.

6. Not checking your gun to be sure it is still zeroed when you get to where you are going. Cost my dad an Elk.

7. Making a long trip with a friend of a friend who turned out to be an a!*hole. Did not want to pay his share of fuel/food or help pack out game.

8. Not taking fishing gear with me! Ended up in a couple of places where there was awesome fishing near camp.

9. Trusting someone else's recommendation of an outfitter.

10. Not moving out of California and becoming a Colorado resident and hunt Elk in 201!

 

[Don K]

Having your Credit Card replaced due to possible security breach and not contacting the G&F with your new card number before the draw is made.