Overview on Drawing

Nathan · Feb 1, 2006

Hey Guys,
I am new here but have been reading about hunting for a while. I am from Texas and I am in college and have no time to hunt but I would like to start investing points for later when I can hunt. I would like to start by applying for points in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. I have read as much as I can but I still have a few things I can't figure out. Three main things.

First, for Utah, they have different terminology than the rest with the limited entry, general season and once in a lifetime. I would like to apply for a decent hunt where I can get a nice deer and elk but not a premium- wait your whole life type hunt. I thought limited entry was the best for this, so I put in for a preference point only for deer limited entry. It seems I am not able to also put in for limited entry elk preference point? Is this true or am I correct? For 5 extra dollars, an elk point would be nice. Should I do a point for general deer and a preference for limited elk instead?

Second, for Colorado, when is the online application available? It seems like it should be right now, but every time I go on there it is closed to buy and apply online once I enter all my info etc.. Can I put in for an elk and deer point here without applying for a tag?

Third for Wyoming, the points are very expensive. I would like to put in for an elk point and a deer point but a deer point sure is expensive and my friend says drawing for a nonresident is not too difficult. Is this a pretty good consensus?

Thanks for the help for a newbie. There sure is a huge learning curve on this stuff but hopefully by the time I have a few points, I will be ready to put in. Nathan

nochawk · Feb 1, 2006

In Utah it is Bonus points for Limited Entry Deer or Elk and Preference points for General deer. you can only apply for one (1) limited entry animal so you have to choose either deer or elk when applying.

Colorado opens for applying in March, I believe and the deadline is April 3.You get preference points for the first 3 years and then bonus points after that, I think it takes a minumum of 3 years before you will have a decent chance of drawing a tag.

Wyoming I would get in on the points now as they just started the points system for deer,elk, and antelope this year. the only tag you may be lucky enough to draw as a non resident will be region G or H from what I understand, and that area is in a deer decline at this time.but dont quote me on that.

You have missed the app period for elk already, for deer you have till the end of the month. start collecting points now and maybe by the time you finish school you will draw a tag.

Nate

COSA · Feb 1, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Feb-01-06 AT 09:09PM (MST)[p]Well, the good news is you are starting the game way before most of us got in.

Utah: If I were just starting out I'd forget about elk, and go for deer, much better chance at getting drawn int he next 10 years compared to the next 40 years for elk.

Colorado: Definately start getting points for deer. You'll have enough to secure a good hunt in a couple of years. Sheep points are a lot of cash up front, and low odds after 3 years, but you get almost all your money back in a few months.

Wyoming: Yes its overpriced, but if you don't get in this year... I'm going to get the points while applying for the best units, I have a feeling G&H may go to a more restricted draw in the next few years...Don't even consider sheep or moose unless you got cash to burn.

Nathan · Feb 1, 2006

Well somehow I jacked up again and missed the deadline for Wyoming elk. But, I put in for Utah Limited Elk and General Deera and once in a lifetime bighorn sheep. I hope that I made the right choice. I will for sure do Colorado Elk and deer and wyoming deer as well. Are there any other states yall recommend if you were just starting out to get some points in? New Mexico or Idaho? Thanks again, Nathan

Nathan · Feb 1, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Feb-01-06 AT 09:39PM (MST)[p]Two more general questions.

Which other states, besides Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, will allow me to put in for only a preference point. I dont have the cash flow to buy a license and then get refunded but I can swing 5 bucks pretty easily.

For Arizona and New Mexico, Do you have to buy the hunting license before you can apply for a preference point. I am stuck trying to just accumulate points for both these states and I have no clue how their systems work. Any help is appreciated greatly. Nathan

_droptine_ · Feb 1, 2006

Colorado requires you to front the money up even if you are just putting in for a preference point. Then they send you a refund check.

kilowatt · Feb 1, 2006

Wyoming DEER: You have until MARCH 15TH to get your money and application into their office.

Brian

txhunter58 · Feb 1, 2006

Nochawk said: "Colorado opens for applying in March, I believe and the deadline is April 3.You get preference points for the first 3 years and then bonus points after that, I think it takes a minumum of 3 years before you will have a decent chance of drawing a tag."

Actually this is not true for elk or deer, only tags like sheep and moose. For elk and deer, you have a chance to draw with 0 points in some units. As stated, you have to front the entire amount for a point ($250 for elk and $295? for deer). They then refund all but the app fee $3 and a preference point fee (supposed to be $25 I think) about the first of July.

Be sure and don't get preference points and bonus points mixed up in Utah. Bonus points are for limited entry units. Preference points are for general season tags. I think bonus points is what you want right now and sounds like that is what you applied for. For only $5 it is the best bargain out there, although they are raising it to $10 next year.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

MNHunter · Feb 2, 2006

Nathan,
To answer some of your questions... In AZ you must by a nonrefunable license to apply (I think it is going up from $113 to $150)... however it is only $5 per species after that to build points. I generally buy the license and apply for 3 or more species to average out the cost ofthe license.

NM and ID have no points. NM is $6 to apply but ID requires a a license (I think it is $142 this year.

NV requires a license to apply ($142 I think) and $10-$20 per species after that. I don't play the NV game as I am too far behind.

Like you, I'm young and started building points a few years ago. I have a nice portfolio of points in UT, WY, WA, MT, AZ, CO as well as some Midwestern and New England states for various species.

idhunters · Feb 2, 2006

Idaho does not have a preference or bonus point system....yet. It is coming maybe this year or next year.

Please note that you do need a license in Idaho to apply for controlled hunts, however, the license entitles you to buy general season tags for elk (archery/muzz/rifle) deer (whitetail OR mule deer, archery/rifle)and bear (any weapon). These tags are over the counter and while they do have a cap, generally do not sell out until very late in the year (2005 was the first year they sold out in about a decade and it was well after most mule deer hunts were over).

Just don't want you to think your wasting your money buying a license in Idaho because as a non resident you can hunt here every year.

Although some on this site will tell you the hunting sucks in Idaho and there are no booners. LOL

Good luck!