bonus/preference points

[BuckSnort]

I need to get off my rear and start building as many points as I can in the western states that use the preference/bonus point systems.Here's my question......

Which states allowes you to just send in a small fee (like UT' $5 dollar bonus point fee) for a bonus point?

 

[Zim]

I entered 35 draws this year. The only ones I know of that offer cheap points other than Utah is Wyoming sheep and moose. Everything else involves hundreds of dollars to gain points. Thank goodness I'm done mailing dollars. Just waiting for refunds now.

Zim from NW Indiana

 

[ElmerFudd]

That is the problem with points. They cost $$$$. They force an addict to pay lots every year. The only other cheap points are in CO at $3, but you do have to front the whole tag fee. NV has the most expensive points and application costs at $250 per year to cover the field, most other states are in the $100-$150 range.

 

[hunterjmj]

In Oregon you have to buy a hunting license for $76.50, then you can apply for all tags @ $4.50 each. Unlike most other states you don't have to front the price of the tags, but the application fees and license are non-refundable..

 

[huntnphool]

Washington is pretty much the same as Oregon, you must purchase the license and then the apps are around $5.00 each. Montana will set you back $20.00 for the preference point but you get your money back for the license if you dont draw. The special permit app in Montana will run you an additional $25.00 per species................rf

 

[kilowatt]

Three of my friends WHO did not drew Deer tags this year in MT just got a letter from MT asking them if they wanted to buy a Preference Point towards next years draw, this was because they did not give the $20.00 dollars extra this year.
Well guess what, the F&G wanted $25.00, yes, $25.00 for the point now for next year.
They torn up the letter and are still mad. It doesn't matter if it is $20-25-50-100, Montana's point system does not work.


Brian

 

[mtmiller]

Geez kilowatt sounds like you are a little on the angry side. I am surprised that you feel the MT preference point system(actually bonus point) does not work. If I remember correctly, this is only the second year for deer and elk.

I am disappointed if MT has already bumped the $20 to $25. It appears to be poor planning to already increase the costs after only two years, but I don't know if that is the case or not.

There are a few states that I won't apply for because of costs associated with accrueing points (Arizona and Nevada for example). Their costs are much higher than the 20 or 25 bucks in MT and is more than I am willing to pay. How do I resolve the problem; I don't apply, easy as that.

If $25 doesn't fit into your buddies budgets, then I would suggest they continue to apply without the points. They will still have a decent chance of drawing and will only be out a few bucks if it doesn't work out.

On another note, I am curious why you feel the Montana point system does not work. You may be right, I am just curious what your reasons are.

 

[huntnphool]

Brian,

That letter your friends got is for "Special Permit" bonus points NOT for license bonus points. Even if they had spent the $20.00 and got drawn they would still have to pay the $25.00 if they wanted to hunt in any of the "Special" areas and seasons. Let your friends know that if they spent the $20.00 and didnt draw, they still have the point they applied for, they dont need to spend $25.00 more....................rf

 

[kilowatt]

The reason I am so negative about MT point system is back in 2001 when they first started it, I called and talked with a person in the Licensing Dept and to get a clarification on the point thing.
After talking to her on this subject, I point blank said to her that if I should give the extra 20 bucks, does this give me a tag the following year if I did not draw that year, her answer was NO. So I said, well then lets say I keep putting in each year and paying the extra 20 bucks, is there a guaranty that I will draw in 2,3,4 or even 5 years, her answer again was NO. So I came back again with another question, lets say I keep paying the 20 Bucks and each year no tag, this looks to me like it could keep going on for years, at which she said that is possible.
So I told her I would only apply and pay no extra money and hope that I draw that way. She comes back with YES you can do that but maybe you will get lucky, but could be hard to draw. This statement sounded too stupid so I just thanked her and hung up after about 15 minutes of my time and money, no 800 number here.
I put in 2001 for the Big Game tags even though I had drew this same tags in 2000, guess what, I drew again back to back years.
Now this year only two of us put in for the Combo tags, paid no points and still drew and saved 20 Bucks in the process.
Don't get me wrong, I am far from being cheap but when I get a response like this from a F&G dept. that is when I have doubts about their "point system".
And I agree that Nev & Az have a very high cost "point system" but no matter what one thinks, make your own choice. I have yet given any money to any state for a "point" other than CA where I live and it only cost me 7 Bucks, since I did not draw last year, and yes, this could go on for a number of years but this is for Desert Sheep not Deer. How many fellows out there have applied for 10-20-30 years in their home state and yet have not drawn a Sheep tag, I hear about it all of the time.
While I'm on this subject, there was a fellow who lived here where I live that for 37-38 years put in each year for Sheep in AZ and never drew. He had the money, he could have bought a GOV tag etc. but refused to do it. Unfortunatly, he passed way two years ago with a 3/4 slam ONLY needing his Desert and never made it.
Well I will get off my soapbox, that's my 20 Bucks worth.

Brian

 

[NVMDF]

Guy's,
Just something for you to think about, it seem that a
lot of you don't apply for Nevada bonus points, but if
you do your homework, there is no need. Non res. hunters
have better odds for some killer hunts than us residents.
These may not be rifle hunts, but if you can shoot a
muzzloader or a bow your odds of drawing a good unit are
better than mine.

NVMDF

 

[Muleyslyr]

kilowatt....you've kind of made me look at MT draw in a different way. I've been going or applying since 99' and never really thought good or bad about the system. But I am one of those guys who sends in his $20 thinking that if I didn't get drawn then my chances are better next year. Now the way you put it I'm not so sure anymore. I pretty much thought it was just every other year. I did draw back to back in 01' and 02' though. I just chalked it up to luck. Unfortunatly, people are gonna do whatever they can to have an oppurtunity to hunt their favorite state, good or bad.

 

[kilowatt]

A friend of mind who has hunted MT more than me said that it use to be IF YOU DID NOT DRAW in a given year, you would get drawn tha following year. Wheather or not this is true, I do not know, but would be nice to know that YOU could at least plan on a hunt in MT every other year.
If someone thinks and believes that the "point system works" fine, but I have my ideas and we can all agree to disagree and have your own ideas as to how they work.
I am not always right and neither is anyone else, we just express your thoughts in a civil way without making or getting someone mad.

Brian***

 

[ElmerFudd]

That used to be true, before they allowed you to mix weapon types. Now odds are cut quite a bit, more so for muzzleloaders than bows.

 

[northwesthunter]

In Washington you have to purchase both license and tags I believe. This means you have to pick your weapon and for elk east or west side of state and if you don't draw your special permit but still want to hunt you are committed to that choice in a general hunt unit. Let me know if this is not true fellow washatonians. nwhunter

 

[buckshot]

MT bonus points only put your name in the hat one additional
time for each point. So the lady was right you could in theory
apply for years and not get drawn. But look at it this way after a few more years your chance of drawing with no points will be small as the others that have bought the points will have more chances than you with none. Is it worth it? I think we'll see in a few more years as the points build.

buckshot