Is chasing Wyoming permits worth it?

[WapitiBob]

I buy, then use, points in OR, WY, AZ, and somewhat in UT. I will continue to buy points till I can't hunt anymore. That said, I understand the landscape changes. Because I've cycled thru points in all those states, I adjust my expectations on what I can draw, based on current points, and that changing landscape. My perspective is also influenced by where I live and the hunting available to me here. One example, we shoot forky's here, because that's all there is, meanwhile, they pass on 4x4's in WY, so when I Deer hunt WY, a hunt area that takes 2 points looks pretty darn good. If I was a resident of WY, buying points in some other states might not look all that appealing. It becomes a personal decision and the blanket statements you see online saying points aren't worth it is pretty much just white noise.

 

[brockel]

I’ve got 10 elk points this year. Thinking I might pair up with a buddy that’s got a couple points and burn them on a general tag.

 

[R.K.]

I’m building points. My current plan is to get my brother out west and both of us hunt elk and ride into a drop camp. I don’t have the background or resources to do anything with horses myself. Don’t care if it’s a general or grizzly unit- just want to do it with my brother. And I don’t think there’s a better place to do that than Wyoming.

 

[jimss]

It's obviously up to your budget and feast/famine mentality of drawing high demand tags. If $ tossed to the wind doesn't matter, apply in every state and game critter in the West. Obviously these charges will never decrease and it's hard to say if 20 years from today what states will charge just to apply. If you add up the charges over 5, 10, 20 years that is a pile of $ that could be spent on a family vacation or other hunting/fishing trips. I've been fortunate to draw many high demand, limited tags over the years but was lucky to start applying years before Garth Carter first recommended this.

If you are lucky in lotto you may be lucky drawing lotto-odds big game tags. One consideration often ignored is that state's draw systems often change. Colorado is a prime example switching from OTC to all limited tags for nonres elk. Colorado is also switching systems from pref pt draw to a 50/50 random/pref pt draw. It obviously is the shits for Colo res and nonres alike that have invested years upon years to a pref pt system. For nonres it isn't cheap applying all those years for points. I really think the CPW should be kept accountable for the investment and value loss of points, $, and time....especially nonres!

The fact is, every year there are more and more applicants for limited tag draws. With mule deer and antelope populations across Wyo and other states at all-time lows there are obviously more hunters vying for a chunk fewer tags! Even antelope units in Wyo that used to have hundreds of left-over buck tags currently take several years to draw. What happens if there is more disease, winterkill, or die-offs? Just pray that land managers continue to support wildlife improvement projects that enhance habit, fencing, water, and other improvement projects that encourage population growth.

Wyo res keep claiming that 90/10 is inevitable. Although I don't think this will happen with a, d, e because nonres support such a high portion of the WG&F limited license/pref pt budget. With that said, 90/10 "could" happen and it would take at least 2x longer for nonres to draw coveted tags.

There are a lot of considerations when it comes to long-term tag strategies. Many considerations are overlooked!

 

[Redraider7]

It's obviously up to your budget and feast/famine mentality of drawing high demand tags. If $ tossed to the wind doesn't matter, apply in every state and game critter in the West. Obviously these charges will never decrease and it's hard to say if 20 years from today what states will charge just to apply. If you add up the charges over 5, 10, 20 years that is a pile of $ that could be spent on a family vacation or other hunting/fishing trips. I've been fortunate to draw many high demand, limited tags over the years but was lucky to start applying years before Garth Carter first recommended this.

If you are lucky in lotto you may be lucky drawing lotto-odds big game tags. One consideration often ignored is that state's draw systems often change. Colorado is a prime example switching from OTC to all limited tags for nonres elk. Colorado is also switching systems from pref pt draw to a 50/50 random/pref pt draw. It obviously is the shits for Colo res and nonres alike that have invested years upon years to a pref pt system. For nonres it isn't cheap applying all those years for points. I really think the CPW should be kept accountable for the investment and value loss of points, $, and time....especially nonres!

The fact is, every year there are more and more applicants for limited tag draws. With mule deer and antelope populations across Wyo and other states at all-time lows there are obviously more hunters vying for a chunk fewer tags! Even antelope units in Wyo that used to have hundreds of left-over buck tags currently take several years to draw. What happens if there is more disease, winterkill, or die-offs? Just pray that land managers continue to support wildlife improvement projects that enhance habit, fencing, water, and other improvement projects that encourage population growth.

Wyo res keep claiming that 90/10 is inevitable. Although I don't think this will happen with a, d, e because nonres support such a high portion of the WG&F limited license/pref pt budget. With that said, 90/10 "could" happen and it would take at least 2x longer for nonres to draw coveted tags.

There are a lot of considerations when it comes to long-term tag strategies. Many considerations are overlooked!

What’s over looked?

 

[DFS]

I jumped back in after drawing a sweet tag. Which was probably stupid. But now I have enough points to draw a tag of some sort if I wanted.

 

[jimss]

Considerations that are overlooked include regulation changes that may almost eliminate your chances of drawing a high demand limited tag in your lifetime.

How many nonres saw the writing on the wall years ago for sheep and moose in Wyo and have ultimately end up tossing their hard earned cash and years applying to the wind.

If 90/10 happens in Wyoming, nonres are totally screwed! I don’t think many nonres consider the consequences if this happens. Take a look at how many limited nonres tags are currently issued in the regular and special draw and cut that number in 1/2.

I don’t think many nonres are aware of how many nonres landowner tags are issued in high demand units and how this significantly impacts their draw odds.

Many nonres aren’t aware that nonres landowner tags are taken off the top of the pile of limited tags prior to the public drawing and are unlimited to those landowners that qualify. There are currently units that every regular or special nonres tag is issued to nonres landowners.

How many nonres are aware that nonres landowners can purchase limited draw tags every year. There is no quota or waiting period.

How much do you spend each year applying? If you multiply that number x 10 years you could go on some amazing adventures in 10 years. All your investment of time and $ may disappear if tag allotments or other changes happen.

The combination of CWD, other diseases, predators, loss of winter range, loss of habitat, drought, highway fatalities all add up to fewer tags in hunters pockets. I don’t think many nonres consider the impacts these have on species they apply for.

Tag prices and fees to apply continue to be raised. Will you and your kids be able to afford applying for tags 20 to 30 years from today? Will your kids…kids be able to afford to apply and draw nonres tags?

 

[Kevin W]

Chasing is not worth it!!! Kevin (10 elk points, 11 deer points and 12 antelope points) LOL!!!

 

[thusby]

I’ve got 13 for D/E/A , burning them over the next 2-3 years and not restarting. I’ll still apply to try and draw a random but there is no reason to start buying points again.

 

[Ringbill27]

So I have 2 elk points now. How many do I need?

 

[WildWill]

So I have 2 elk points now. How many do I need?

For what?


A "top tier" trophy unit at or near max points? You'll never catch those unless you're immortal.


General W,S, or E? Depending on which you're a few (3-5) years away. Unless you pay for the special draw which could shave of some points and get you hunting quicker but you'll be paying for the privilege.


A really good cow tag? You have enough points to go this year.



Simple right.

 

[Jwill]

I think that's up to each individual to decide. The biggest mistake I see with people acquiring points is they don't have, and never have had a solid plan. You see it the draw results/odds reports. A vast majority never even apply for tags, they just buy points.

IMO, there are 2 groups of hunters that really "win" the point game.

Group 1 are those that got in early and applied for the top units and had max points up until they drew.

Group 2 are the people that never really worried about accumulating points trying to catch up to the top units, but rather applied with the idea of drawing as often as they could and hunting. This group has done by far the most hunting and have drawn the most tags.

Those that got in somewhere in the middle without a plan, yeah, wasting their time.

The other thing that truly does baffle me, even with the max point holders, is what they end up actually killing with their max points. Sure, a handful take a top animal from the top units. But, IMO/E a vast majority shoot mediocre animals from those top units. They could have shot as good if not better, way more often in easier to draw units. I get it, there are other factors why people hunt other than taking a top end animal, and that's great. Could be an area they're familiar with, a landscape they wanted to hunt in, etc.

I just think you need to have a realistic plan and expectations when you start accumulating points. If you don't you end up frustrated like it sounds you are.

BTW, I didn't have much of a plan for deer in Utah and I'm at 27 points wondering where to apply.

 

[The_Coloradoboy]

Personal opinion… sit on those points a tad bit longer your not far off of some pretty good tags if you look at some type 9 or lesser type 1 options. If you’re looking for a better “general” elk hunting experience than Montana with twice as many elk and a lot more public land opportunities I’d recommend a otc 2nd/3rd season tag in Colorado or a something off the left over list. Elk hunting as far as numbers/quality is about as good as it’s ever been in Commierado these days…