Would you give up your points?

[406LIFE]

I have applied in several states for ten years now. I have lots wrapped up in them.

I would give up preference points for bonus points (go from guaranteed to random).

BUT, I would only do this if certain tags went to once in a lifetime as well (are you listening MT)?

 

[COEngineer]

It would be incredibly short-sighted of hunters not to ask for help when we need it.

Ben, the problem is that if we give non-hunters more "seats at the table," we might not like how they decide to manage wildlife. Look at how feral horses are out of control in NV, elk are being shot by paid sharp-shooters using night vision in Rocky Mountain National Park, etc.

I want to like the idea of "animals first, hunters second," but I fear that if you take hunting away, there will be no user group vocal enough to preserve the wildlife. I believe that the United States has some of the best wildlife in the world and I know we have the most recreational (non-subsistence) hunters. I think the two are related.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Ben, the problem is that if we give non-hunters more "seats at the table," we might not like how they decide to manage wildlife. Look at how feral horses are out of control in NV, elk are being shot by paid sharp-shooters using night vision in Rocky Mountain National Park, etc.

I want to like the idea of "animals first, hunters second," but I fear that if you take hunting away, there will be no user group vocal enough to preserve the wildlife. I believe that the United States has some of the best wildlife in the world and I know we have the most recreational (non-subsistence) hunters. I think the two are related.

If I had a dollar for every person who has said this, I'd be able to buy one of the Wilke's ranches.

 

[hank4elk]

I gave up points when I just moved to NM & no points here for years.
Only gripe I have now is resident/non resident pool split & whole Outfitter welfare pool...,
that & talk of resdents now wanting to take all the LO tags cause they are entitled to them.Just them.
Good Luck with that. Good luck hunting private land with your tag then.

 

[HighDesertSage]

that & talk of resdents now wanting to take all the LO tags cause they are entitled to them.Just them.

Can you expand on this? I hadn't heard anything about this yet?

And yes, I would gladly give up my points.

 

[Cody_Frankum]

I would give them all up in a heart beat, I think it would help out with a lot of units that experience point creep. In my mind, people would have a shot at those tier 1 units so more would likely apply, and allowing more of the lower tier units to be obtained at a higher percentage rate.

I do like what Colorado does with the big three and I think that could be something to keep but modify. You must apply for 3 years before you are even eligible to pull a tag, so require everybody to apply for 3 years in a row before they can be considered an option for a tag for goat sheep or moose.

But I know a lot of folks won't agree with my plan.

 

[Dieseldog]

I would be on board with the big 3 tags being once in a lifetime. Either nationwide or state by state. I think lost revenue could be made up with a modest nonrefundable application fee or license purchase.

I am also 15 years into the point game and would walk away from them and all the money if random draws were implemented.

 

[Aussie_hunter_JD]

It's interesting from an outside perspective to see how some people would be willing to forego their opportunity for personal gain in losing lots of points for the betterment of all while others like the idea but only after they've drawn their big tags. Each to their own but kudos to the former!

 

[mtmuley]

As soon as I draw, I could give a rats ass about points. Till then, I'll keep my Montana points. Lord knows they give me a leg up on guys without them. Right? mtmuley

 

[Trial153]

Yes however only of it is to employ a more substantive long term model for funding and Hunter opportunity. We first need to understanding that we are all drawing from the same well regardless of residency. When we reach a point of negative returns it isn’t going to be an Epiphany that allows to mend our mistakes. It will be a hat in hand moments that will be taking the ball out of our court as the primary conservationists giving it to Joe Q. Public and New Jersey cat ladies.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

Everybody please. Do away with your points. In the goodness of your hearts.

 

[elkduds]

Status quo in CO is good for me. '16 I cashed in 23 deer pps. In 2000 I hunted 61 1st rifle w 7 or so elk pps. Now I draw what I can w 1 pp and clean up on reissues. I'm good, thanks.

 

[BuzzH]

Ben, the problem is that if we give non-hunters more "seats at the table," we might not like how they decide to manage wildlife. Look at how feral horses are out of control in NV, elk are being shot by paid sharp-shooters using night vision in Rocky Mountain National Park, etc.

I want to like the idea of "animals first, hunters second," but I fear that if you take hunting away, there will be no user group vocal enough to preserve the wildlife. I believe that the United States has some of the best wildlife in the world and I know we have the most recreational (non-subsistence) hunters. I think the two are related.

They already have a seat at the table, may as well make them pay for it.

We aren't giving them something they don't already have.

As to the point question, a lack of vision beyond, "I deserve a tag" is why we're here.

IMO, at this point (pun there), there is no turning back. Youth and everyone but the top point holders are largely screwed in a lot of states for the hard to draw species. Animal populations on things like moose, sheep, and goat are declining and IMO/E, they aren't going to rebound. Too many outside forces, too much development, too many people...and the thing that is always going to have to give, is our wildlife. Welcome to 326,000,000 people.

The next generation is not going to have the opportunities that I had/have for many species, cold hard reality.

 

[cedahm]

I do like what Colorado does with the big three and I think that could be something to keep but modify. You must apply for 3 years before you are even eligible to pull a tag, so require everybody to apply for 3 years in a row before they can be considered an option for a tag for goat sheep or moose.

You beat me to it. I’ve always thought the 3 year ‘apprenticeship’ was a good program. It will be interesting to see what happens to this with the new overall model in CO, but it is a unique and seemingly effective model to reward loyalty but maintain hope. I’d like it even more if bonus points were squared (especially in 4 years when there are a wad of folks that start this year with the no-upfront-license fees). I don’t think it works for elk and deer as well, at least not in a lot of states/units.

I’d prefer bonus points, but if the choice was ‘current point systems’ or ‘all random’, I’d pick random. It is nice to be able to plan out occasionally, as BrentD notes, I personally couldn’t deal with multiple tags 1000+ miles away from each other very often.

 

[Alabama]

I wish all states would go to a bonus point system. 1 chance for each year that you apply. No squaring of points and no guarantees of drawing. It rewards those who have been in it the longest by modestly increasing their odds but someone new still has a chance to draw. Make all big 3 once in a lifetime and do away with outfitter sponsored draws altogether. Make all landowner tags good for ONLY the land that they own. That would increase the number of tags available in the draw (I'm looking at you New Mexico)!

If only I were king for a day. LOL

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I wish all states would go to a bonus point system. 1 chance for each year that you apply. No squaring of points and no guarantees of drawing. It rewards those who have been in it the longest by modestly increasing their odds but someone new still has a chance to draw. Make all big 3 once in a lifetime and do away with outfitter sponsored draws altogether. Make all landowner tags good for ONLY the land that they own. That would increase the number of tags available in the draw (I'm looking at you New Mexico)!

If only I were king for a day. LOL

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That and make the entire license/permit fee due with the application when applying.

 

[Khunter]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That and make the entire license/permit fee due with the application when applying.

+1. very bummed Colorado just bailed on that.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

And make all the landowner permits not allowed to be sold, only for the landowner and family.

 

[bobbydean]

New Mexico and no point system. Fair, but still hard to get your tag. But, fair. I think point systems discriminate against new hunters.

Saw mentioned earlier in the thread to look at New Mexico as a way to eliminate a points system. I do not recall New Mexico every having a point system. Could be wrong. In the 60's?

 

[Zim]

I've got over 300 points total. The draw systems in many states are becoming houses of cards. I've been on an exiting strategy trying to burn anything over 20 before the cards collapse. And they most definitely will, eventually.