throwing good app money after bad and repeat

[perma]

I don't lose sleep over it. I'm lucky enough to be in a financial and relational position to where I can apply for about everything I want, and still donate to conservation groups. I did however, drop out of CA two years ago. I anticipate I'll be doing a few trips to AK for caribou and moose.

 

[MNHunter]

I don't have many things on my "bucket list" but a sheep hunt is #1 so I'll kep throwing money at every opportunity I can. I also have a fund growing to just buy a hunt down the road too. Unfortunately none of my 3 kids have any interest in hunting and my hunting buddies are losing interest so it is tough to keep the dream alive. I'll keep playing the lottery in the hopes I someday win something and if I don't, hopefully the money goes to help the game.

 

[2rocky]

I began applying out of state in earnest in 2001. That is when I had PTO for the first time in my life. I made a matrix of states and species and defined each one as a Long term, Mid Range or short term target/goal. By 2006 I was taking 2 weeks to hunt two different non res states. In 2009 I had three archery tags for draw hunts and whiffed on every hunt. It only spurred me on...

2010 I drew a great archery elk hunt and was successful in two states. It lit a fire in me through 2016. The effect of giving away 1/2 of my assets made me reconsider where my cash was going. I identified what states and species were really important to me to keep my skin in the game. I ended up abandoning most M/S/G hunts. Since I was not Max points in anything I focused on tags with random opportunity. I quit buying point only and applied for the long shots in states without PP's

In that time Wyoming general Elk and region deer tags became harder and harder to draw. All of a sudden I didn't have a reliable out of state hunt to count on. I started buying points in anticipation of my nephew graduating college. My father and uncle aged and I re evaluated who my hunting buddies of the future would be.

I think the best course of action is to create a "Sinking Fund" for applications and hunting expenses. The Ramsey Way would be with a dedicated free savings account and a Debit Card. Spend 12 months putting in a couple hundred dollars then apply for what you have cash to pay for. Over multiple years it SHOULD build up. The Risk-Reward ratio will determine your choices pretty easily.

 

[00BUCK]

I've been applying in other states for over 15 years now. Many things have changed since I started and so has my outlook on the process.

Back then I thought DIY hunting public land and learning all the different states was the only way to go. Even looked down on guided hunting at times.

My perspective has changed mainly driven by the opportunities currently available and the tends of our herds.

I have drawn some good tags over the years and really enjoyed the excitement of the draw. I enjoy the research and all aspects of big game hunting other states which is why it's sad to see where we are today.

I have dropped a state and recently thought of dropping another.

The idea of bonus points and the many random draws don't motivate me anymore. I take more of a statistic approach these days to my applications and factor in trends.

The idea of "there's a chance" and you must pay to play is a fools game IMO

I did somehow draw a non-res MZ Nevada bull Elk tag this year. My first tag in that state

Even after drawing this tag I still would not recommend most people get started in NV and many others as they just don't make sense any more. Even if you have the budget the time has come to find other options in many cases.

 

[HighDesertSage]

I went from applying in 7 states for everything I could, to only doing elk, deer, and antelope in Wyoming since getting my residency. No regrets. Don’t see myself chasing anything else at this point. I just pray that wy never starts up a preference point scheme for residents.