Based on your senario with each of the 4 people applying with 8 points, this is how it goes. Since, all 4 have the same points "8" then the group gets "8" random numbers from the computer. Then the lowest number of the eight becomes their number that is in the drawing. Eight chances to get a low number, which is the same as someone who is applying by themself with 8 points, he would get eight numbers in the computer and then the lowest is used for the drawing.
If the 4 people had different points (i.e. 8, 8, 7, 5), you would add them up = 28 then divide by 4 = 7. The group would get seven random numbers in the computer to get a low number for the draw. This hurts the two with 8 points but helps the other two. If 8 points would give the two guys a bonus permit (half the permits go to those with max points applying for a specific hunt), by applying by themselves (or together), then applying as a group they would not get the bonus permit and would have to hope to get one of the random permits that go to those with less than max points.
So, applying as a group vs. single, makes no difference. Unless, there are only 6 permits or less available, then the group would never get a permit for this hunt because they would not qualify for the bonus permits "3" and there would only be "3" left for the rest.
Smokepole