Don, from some private conversation messages, you know I like you, but we sure do see things differently. You correctly figure out how tough the odds are everywhere and why a guy shouldn't jump in. I, on the other hand, also realize how tough the odds are and keep putting in EVERYWHERE anyway and get to go on lots of really cool hunts.
Here's the truth about applying for limited entry hunts, for just about any species in just about every state. THE ODDS SUCK, BIG TIME! You have a few choices to make, if you want to hunt the west, they are:
1. Give up as it's too hard to draw any decent tags.
2. Apply for great hunts that you really want in a few states, realizing that you probably aren't going to get to enjoy any of them for a while, and go on general hunts and have some fun while you wait to draw something special.
3. Do what I do. This is to apply everywhere for everything you're interested in hunting. Between my son and I, we apply for over 60 tags per year, although for some we just apply for points since we know we don't have enough to draw what we want in preference states. We do plenty of hunting and fishing outside of these premium tags, so we're not sitting at home fretting over how tough these draws are.
I've heard some people say it's too tough, or it's too expensive. I think it's just deciding what your priorities are. Over the last fifteen years or so, I've been building points everywhere I can. Some states I have more than others, some species more than others. I've been doing this for my son as well, for the last 8-10 years, depending on the state, since he's only twenty. Now, consider this:
I have a cumulative total of over 220 bonus points for various species in eight different western states. When I began, I was much like many of you, wondering if it would be worth it. My son also has a pile of points. What will happen if you're diligent is that you'll eventually have enough points built up in places that you'll draw some good tags. Yeah, it'll cost some money to get there, gut think about how you want to spend your money. Would you rather spend it on tobacco and alcohol? Going out to expensive dinners? Other luxuries? I don't smoke, hardly drink alcohol at all, don't eat out very often, and spend my money on my hunting and fishing.
Ridgerunner, you're about the age I was when I started building points everywhere. If you start now and stay in good shape, you'll have plenty of opportunities to go on great hunt before your days end. Remember, a lot of guys ahead of you will either draw and fall back, lose their health, retire from hunting, or die. You'll get there if you get started. As an example, in the last 6 seasons, here are some of the tags my son and I have drawn: 2002 Wyoming moose, 2004 Arizona early muzzleloader elk, 2005 Nevada rifle deer, 2005 Utah youth any bull elk, 2006 Montana Mtn. goat, 2006 Arizona late Kaibab deer, 2007 Colorado deer.
See what I mean?
