Given our show is dependent upon me finding enough tags to film 10-12 episodes per year, I have a lot of time invested in researching hunts, units, draw processes, etc. I would say it takes up 10-15 hours per week during application season. I seem to be getting a flurry of messages asking how I do my research.
Here goes. Understand that part of my approach is just the experience of doing these apps since 1995, and the other part is winter boredom that drives a numbers person, such as a CPA, to do these statistical exercises for no useful reason.
In the past, I have subscribed to most every research tool that existed. Now, I am down to two of them. One for "tracking the herd," and one for doing in depth research.
The one I use for tracking the herd is Huntin' Fool. I haven't read a story in their magazine for years, merely flipping to the pages with recommended units, then crossing those units off my list of potential hunts. Not because they are bad recommendation, rather I am not a guy what wants to accumulate a lot of points. I want to hunt often and the units HF recommends usually take years of points.
HF does have a very good overview of how state processes work and any changes from the past year.
The HF drraw odd calculation are simplified to a point where they are of no value in any state with a point system. They do tell you that the odds are simple odds without regard to bonus points. I completely disregard the draw odds they post.
Given what I have at stake, the $100 annual fee for HF is worth it to know where the herd will be applying and to know of changes I might miss in my reading of the regs. I could probably figure out where the herd is applying by just looking at the odds each state posts.
The greatest value I get from HF is that it tells me when one of my researched units ends up on their list and blows my odds all to heck. That has happened way more than I like. Once it gets on their list, time for me to go back to the drawing board - odds are my point total will not get me the tag.
The best tool for serious research about odds, trends, and granular detail of resident v. non-resident apps, is Hunters Trailhead. I used to pay for the web service to provide it here, free to our members. Jon, the owner, tried to figure out a way we could keep it, but it was hard to justify that cost to a website that has never made a dime of profit.
Jon does offer a subscription for individuals. Right now, it is $24.95. I have always used his service and the $24.95 is by far, the best money I spend on researching hunts. tags, states.
If I had to decide between HF and Hunters Trailhead, I get more benefit out of HT than HF. And, it only costs 25% as much.
Yeah, this is a plug for Jon and his service. Not because I get anything for making the plug, other than to let people know it is a great service. You can sign up right here.
Hunters Trailhead --------> http://hunterstrailhead.com/
Like all things I use, if I did not think it was worth the money for the serious western hunter, I wouldn't be talking about it. And no, I don't get paid for writing this. I paid to renew my subscription last month. I tell you about it because I think it will help you draw more tags.
Just don't draw one of mine.
I've tried all the others and my comment would be - save your money. Curious if any of you other junkies have tools I might be missing out on.
Here goes. Understand that part of my approach is just the experience of doing these apps since 1995, and the other part is winter boredom that drives a numbers person, such as a CPA, to do these statistical exercises for no useful reason.
In the past, I have subscribed to most every research tool that existed. Now, I am down to two of them. One for "tracking the herd," and one for doing in depth research.
The one I use for tracking the herd is Huntin' Fool. I haven't read a story in their magazine for years, merely flipping to the pages with recommended units, then crossing those units off my list of potential hunts. Not because they are bad recommendation, rather I am not a guy what wants to accumulate a lot of points. I want to hunt often and the units HF recommends usually take years of points.
HF does have a very good overview of how state processes work and any changes from the past year.
The HF drraw odd calculation are simplified to a point where they are of no value in any state with a point system. They do tell you that the odds are simple odds without regard to bonus points. I completely disregard the draw odds they post.
Given what I have at stake, the $100 annual fee for HF is worth it to know where the herd will be applying and to know of changes I might miss in my reading of the regs. I could probably figure out where the herd is applying by just looking at the odds each state posts.
The greatest value I get from HF is that it tells me when one of my researched units ends up on their list and blows my odds all to heck. That has happened way more than I like. Once it gets on their list, time for me to go back to the drawing board - odds are my point total will not get me the tag.
The best tool for serious research about odds, trends, and granular detail of resident v. non-resident apps, is Hunters Trailhead. I used to pay for the web service to provide it here, free to our members. Jon, the owner, tried to figure out a way we could keep it, but it was hard to justify that cost to a website that has never made a dime of profit.
Jon does offer a subscription for individuals. Right now, it is $24.95. I have always used his service and the $24.95 is by far, the best money I spend on researching hunts. tags, states.
If I had to decide between HF and Hunters Trailhead, I get more benefit out of HT than HF. And, it only costs 25% as much.
Yeah, this is a plug for Jon and his service. Not because I get anything for making the plug, other than to let people know it is a great service. You can sign up right here.
Hunters Trailhead --------> http://hunterstrailhead.com/
Like all things I use, if I did not think it was worth the money for the serious western hunter, I wouldn't be talking about it. And no, I don't get paid for writing this. I paid to renew my subscription last month. I tell you about it because I think it will help you draw more tags.
Just don't draw one of mine.
I've tried all the others and my comment would be - save your money. Curious if any of you other junkies have tools I might be missing out on.
