Let me offer some insight, as i have a background in some of this stuff. The draw really only takes about 30 minutes (if that) to complete for all 160 thousand applications. Even if they're running a low end sql db and low end server infrastructure, if setup correctly it takes longer to brew a pot of coffee and wake up in the a.m. than it does to run through the entire draw process. For anyone that knows sql or databasing, 160,000 entries really isn't much. My guess as to the three week wait period (remember all harvest reports were due the 7th) is cross referencing successful applications with all of the rules and regs they must follow. I.e. revoked licenses, applications with multiple applicants where one didn't fill out harvest results, people who are on the child support revocation document etc, checking veteran status, going through military order papers as required by some hunts...etc. In all reality, 4 weeks wait time is pretty dang quick but i bet the draw is complete and they're finalizing results. Speaking from a very experienced I.t perspective, they either haven't pushed the the start button and are manually entering the above mentioned exclusions, or it's complete and they're going through the human element of finding out who didn't meet requirements before they post the results and allow the SMTP servers to start shipping out emails. That being said, I'm sure they laugh at all of us for a few days but it's probably not many.
As to the backdoor lock down issue, it's simply a security risk. If we can see draw results early, they have a potential vulnerability in their code, server or network which needs to be corrected since it houses all of our personal info. If we can see it, hackers can to. You might not think a game and fish server is a target, but think about all the info you must provide to apply...pretty much your life in a single screen. Locking down the backdoor/sneak peak stuff is actually good for us all. It makes the wait longer, and gives all of us the shakes, but I'd much rather wait another week than have my SSN, DOB, Address, DL# or anything else compromised. By locking down these areas, they sure up and secure their entire web front end and back end db's that hold your valuable personal info.
In any case, just thought I'd give this thread my $.02 being that i live in the I.T. world when not hunting or fishing.
Good luck to all of you. Hope apps are filled with lots of green!