I am posting this chart here in reply to the many, many, emails I get about how we draw tags each year. Time doesn't allow me to answer all the individual emails, so I am hoping that by posting it here, it is available to all.
Free advice is usually bad advice, and is never worth more than you paid for it, so consider yourself forewarned.
Some are units that are hard to draw for Non-residents, and some are "fall back" hunts that can be had over the counter, or with almost no points. Since 2005, the fewest out of state tags I have had is four. They are not always the best tags, but I know I am going hunting, and that is what is most important to me.
There are other states you can apply in, such as OR, WA, CA, and some good over the counter hunts to be had in some of the midwest whitetail states. Just not something I do, based on drawing odds, schedules, budgets, etc.
This does not include the bear and turkey hunts that can be had as OTC hunts in many states, or bison draws of some western states. Alaska black bear, deer, moose, and caribou can be bought OTC and makes for the best "backup" plan you could ask for.
As far as specific units, I never give those to people, for a few reasons.
This post is probably not worth the time it took to type it up, but at least it saves me time in answering emails.
Free advice is usually bad advice, and is never worth more than you paid for it, so consider yourself forewarned.
Some are units that are hard to draw for Non-residents, and some are "fall back" hunts that can be had over the counter, or with almost no points. Since 2005, the fewest out of state tags I have had is four. They are not always the best tags, but I know I am going hunting, and that is what is most important to me.
There are other states you can apply in, such as OR, WA, CA, and some good over the counter hunts to be had in some of the midwest whitetail states. Just not something I do, based on drawing odds, schedules, budgets, etc.
This does not include the bear and turkey hunts that can be had as OTC hunts in many states, or bison draws of some western states. Alaska black bear, deer, moose, and caribou can be bought OTC and makes for the best "backup" plan you could ask for.
As far as specific units, I never give those to people, for a few reasons.
- It is the part of the tag application process that is the most fun to research.
- Units are waaaay over rated. 80% of a good hunt is the combination of a good hunter giving a great effort, and/or some luck. The chosen unit is a part of the other 20%.
Example would be the WY antelope seasons of the last two years. The state record was broken in 2008 and 2009, both in units that never make it to the top of the list with the reseach services. Those guys are probably very happy they didn't wait for many years, just to draw a unit published by the research services.
A person is much better off to hunt many times in less popular units than to bank all his chips on a hunt in a "glory unit." Reason being, you get to hunt a lot more, and I suspect more great hunts are had each year in the lesser units, than happen in the units research services recommend.
I would rather hunt mule deer in CO ten times on units that require no points, than to wait ten years to hunt it just once. Too many things can go wrong in that one year that you have invested ten years of hopes in. And a lot of things can go right over the course of the ten seasons you get to hunt in one of Colorado's lesser known units.
- Almost all states have units that are easier to draw and hold some great animals, it just takes more effort. And it is hard to beat having a little luck. It is not a prerequisite to draw one of these famous units, in order to have a great hunt.
This post is probably not worth the time it took to type it up, but at least it saves me time in answering emails.
