Wyoming daw strategy with new rise in tag/points cost

[Millsworks]

Hello guys.
This is my first post here other than my introduction on the new member section.
Do any of you out there think the cost of banking points has begun to exceed the threshold of feasibility?
I guess I can see 5-6 years of investment being enough to keep in the game and wait a few more seasons. But what about you guys with 10-12 or even more?
I am not the type to be able to justify spending all that money on points for what will never likely be any more of a chance at a real trophy. I see great pictures of bulls, bucks and they many times come out of a general unit.
Sure in a perfect world we might have a better than average shot at a good animal in a limited quota unit. But I have found few if any garenties in hunting, let alone the world.
Maybe some will rethink staying in the points only game. I think even an unsuccessful hunt is better than just buying points for years, dreaming of the perfect trophy you may or may not ever see.
What do some of you think?
Obviously, some general deer units in Wyoming take alot of points. Many can be had with just one or less, though and produce big bucks also for some lucky hunters.
Some wait an awfully long time to finally put in the draw and could have been two or three times out by then.
That seems like alot of missed memories to me.
Sorry for the missed (r) in the word draw of the title.
Hopefully the Grammer police aren't as unforgiving on this site as with some others.
Would love to hear what some have to say on the subject of points banking and it's future.

 

[ScottR]

We probably won?t know much until after this year. Guy thinks this really won?t move the needle on odds.


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[Bonecollector]

I tend to agree with Guy.

 

[rcfireninja]

I hunted leftover deer in general and a limited draw for cow elk this year. I actually hope that most people burn their points next year. I can take a year off from Wyoming to hunt elsewhere. Then hopefully in 2019 draw a better unit.


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[BKhunter50]

I could be wrong, but I don't think much of anything will change with the rate increases. Sure, a few hunters may change their game plan, but when you look at the overall costs for a hunt (travel, weapon, gear, food, etc.), the extra cost Wyoming is placing on licenses isn't going to keep most folks stop pursuing their passion (my opinion). I for one hated to see the increase, but have no intention of changing my plans to eventully hunting elk, deer, moose, sheep and antelope in Wyoming.

 

[WapitiBob]

All of my family has max or near max points for Elk/Antelope/Deer. I'll burn my Elk points next year, but there are no plans to burn any others, me or the other family members. We hunt every year without burning them but, I'd rather have them and not need them, than need them and not have them. At $120 for all three species, they're cheap.

 

[RICMIC]

I'll stay in the WY point game, but only accumulate enough pts. to draw the general tags. There has been a very slow creep in the general areas that I hunt; 3 for deer, 2+ for elk, and 5+ for pronghorn. I used the deer pts. in 2015, and the elk this year, so I will be back in the game soon. In the meantime, I can hunt OTC in CO, or even in some easy to draw areas with no points. I just used 10 deer pts. on CO, with no deer at the end of it, and have 10 elk pts. I found myself with zero tags in the past while trying to use the higher pts., and getting shut out, and will not attempt to accumulate as many again. If I was just getting into the game, I would recommend that you get points in the states that don't require a (non-refundable) hunting license to just get points, and to start hunting, and go for a tag every year somewhere.

 

[Granby guy]

I agree that the increases are not going to have any effect on draw odds. Those with a lot of points will stay in the game. I live and hunt deer and elk every year in Colorado so waiting for a premium Wyoming tag seems to make sense to me. If I couldn't hunt elk every year here then I would have to reconsider my plan. I have max points for deer and elk and have been applying for elk every year, just haven't been lucky enough to draw yet.

 

[Micah S]

The increasing fees of non resident tags and points won't change the draw very much. But I do think it will get more people looking at just buying landowner tags and guide tags in other states.

 

[Millsworks]

I'll stay in the WY point game, but only accumulate enough pts. to draw the general tags. There has been a very slow creep in the general areas that I hunt; 3 for deer, 2+ for elk, and 5+ for pronghorn. I used the deer pts. in 2015, and the elk this year, so I will be back in the game soon. In the meantime, I can hunt OTC in CO, or even in some easy to draw areas with no points. I just used 10 deer pts. on CO, with no deer at the end of it, and have 10 elk pts. I found myself with zero tags in the past while trying to use the higher pts., and getting shut out, and will not attempt to accumulate as many again. If I was just getting into the game, I would recommend that you get points in the states that don't require a (non-refundable) hunting license to just get points, and to start hunting, and go for a tag every year somewhere.

I myself agree with your outlook on it also. I plan to try to only apply for area's that generally requires 4-5 points or less for Wyoming as a non- resident.

 

[Rich M]

I'm not a points kind of guy - just cause I'm only doing this a few times and don't want to spend years accumulating points only to be disappointed by point creep when it is time to go. Did a no points antelope hunt 2017 and shot 2.

It all depends on what you want to do. If you want a primo spot with potential for a "booner" then you'll need points and lots of them. Say $50/yr for 10-20 years. $1,000 and 20 years to get the hunt of your dreams - if you don't get hit by a bus first.

I'm not a trophy hunter, the trip itself is the trophy, some meat for the freezer helps justify the trip as opposed to taking a summer vacation with trout fishing thrown in instead of hunting.

 

[ScottR]

I wouldn't change strategy, pick what you want. Go for it, personally I go for opportunity as that tends to produce more success in my mind.

 

[Millsworks]

Antelope are a good example of an animal that can be hunted for low or no points. Deer ,maybe if your not after a real giant.
But at least in Wyoming, a elk hunt needs points for at least two or three years.
I can deal with 3-4 years banking.

I still say if I was a guy that had 8-10 or more deer, elk points in Wyoming, I would reconsider building that many ever again. The few years I plan to buy points is about as long as I think I should wait, and as much as I should spend.

 

[480/277]

Anyone with over 9 points or more should burn them now......

 

[ScottR]

Anyone with over 9 points or more should burn them now......

I predict we see a lot of the top tiers of the point system shrinking for a few years.

 

[ScottR]

My next prediction though, is that even with the high point holders electing to cash in we won't see a curb to point creep or odds.

 

[Blackdawg]

I am re-thinking the hunt more often don?t bank points strategy I have been playing, after my experiences in Wyoming general units the last 2 hunts.The cost of non-refundable licenses and higher demand limited tags actually may make more sense in the long range picture if I factor in money wasted in general type/low point areas. Myself and my Wyoming resident good ole buddies can attest to the fact that many general units have changed drastically since the grizz and wolves exploded in numbers.


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[Colorado Cowboy]

I have max points for deer and will probably use them in 2018. Another factor for me is my age. I am 76 and am not really willing to wait much longer to draw the unit I want. I am pretty sure I will draw it in -18 based on the last couple of years. I definitely will not be buying any more points for deer, antelope yes. I can pretty much hunt deer every other year here in Colorado.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I have max points for deer and will probably use them in 2018. Another factor for me is my age. I am 76 and am not really willing to wait much longer to draw the unit I want. I am pretty sure I will draw it in -18 based on the last couple of years. I definitely will not be buying any more points for deer, antelope yes. I can pretty much hunt deer every other year here in Colorado.

Hats off to you. I hope I still want to buy points for antelope at age 76. I just hope I am alive and able to hunt.

 

[Edwardsc]

well i am 52 and have 10pts for deer as well as 2 of my buddies, we have no idea what the hell to do next year. We are in the point game for sure now because of 2 much time and money spent to drop out now. We would really love to hunt 102 sometime but i am afraid we wont draw for a long time. unit 90 would be good for us to. We have no interest in hunting G or H just because of the terrain and i have a bad back. Im good for about 2 miles in and 2 miles out and probably less if im packing a boned out deer. also interested in unit 130 and 89 or 87, but really we know nothing about them. I have poured over maps and google earth and i like the terrain in all those units however i am a bit worried about private land in 89 or 87. Ha Ha good hell decisions, decisions, what to do.