ElmerF, you're one gentleman I've come to respect, the come here to play. I think you have more of it pretty much figured out.
Regarding your question.
I have 9 Wyoming antelope points and have know knowledge here in Wyoming to go to find a mature, large horned antelope. I'm 69 in June. I've killed a few antelope but never a better than average sized horned one. (At least since I cared. I killed 2 really big ones in 1964 and 1965 in Alberta, but in those days I was hunting for meat and threw the heads to the dogs, without a second thought.) I've wanted to get one more, before all the air goes out of my lungs, so I've been building pref point to try and accomplish that goal, along with a few others I'm still working on.
A gentleman, without any pref points, offered to provide access to a ranch in Wyoming, he say's have a few better than average pronghorns. I did a little home work and called him. We made a trade, he gets me access, I add him to my application. Be both benefit. He gets to hunt, in a place, at a time he couldn't, without my (or someone else's) points. I get to hunt a location that I couldn't hunt without him providing the information on which ranch to hunt. It's a win, win, as far as Im concerned.
Is it ethical. It may not be to someone else but I have no problem whatever with it. They are my points, the system allows groups to apply together, knowing that groups will apply together. Averaging the points allows what we are doing to work. If they change the rules, and no longer use the average, but use lowest points, as the points for all in the group, I have no problem with that either. I've never found fault with sportsmen using rules and regulations to their benefit. If rules or regulations become counter productive, or unpopular, for that matter, the rules can and should be changed. But to know there is a problem, and leave it as is, is either lazy, or incompetent. Remember, many of these issues are "social in nature" and have nothing to do with right or wrong.
So.....no, I have no problem sharing points.
Selling points is simply another term for sharing, IMO. What is the difference in getting access or getting cash, to buy access, for providing the ability for someone to put in on "my" points. A transaction is taking place between two or more people, be they complete strangers, or all family members, it's still a transaction that benefits someone.
I've got 10 Wyoming deer points. I'll be watching for a similar arrangement in the next year or two with those points as well, unless Wyoming decides to change the regulations, which they certainly have every right to do. If they do, I'll adjust. I won't violate any laws, but I will try to determine my best chance at hunting the kind of deer I've been investing for.
DC
