Wyoming Bonus Points

[wyoelkfan15]

With the legislation in draft form for switching to a bonus points system for moose and sheep in Wyoming, does anyone know what happens to current preference points? Do they switch to bonus points or are they use it or lose it in the next four years?

 

[WapitiBob]

Dear Senator Ellis and Representative Flitner,

The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce’s (Taskforce) charge is to study top-priority wildlife policy issues facing the state related to the allocation of hunting opportunity, sportsperson access and other issues, and to make recommendations to the proper decision making body regarding solutions to these issues.

Following multiple discussions over several meetings, the Taskforce voted to recommend a substantial change to the manner in which bighorn sheep and moose licenses are issued for both residents and nonresidents specific to the use of preference points. There are three primary components of the changes recommended: 1) Transition from a prescriptive draw where 75% of licenses are drawn from the top point holders to a system that is completely random. 2) Transition to a weighted bonus point system where an applicant’s advantage in the draw increases exponentially with each subsequent year they continue to apply. The Taskforce recommends this be implemented by squaring an applicant’s total number of bonus points. 3) Delay implementation by up to four years from the date the law is effective to provide long term applicants with the highest numbers of preference points a transition period. This was approved by the Task Force on December 3rd, 2021:

The task force solicited and received public feedback and comments in a variety of ways.

 

[wyoelkfan15]

Dear Senator Ellis and Representative Flitner,

The Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce’s (Taskforce) charge is to study top-priority wildlife policy issues facing the state related to the allocation of hunting opportunity, sportsperson access and other issues, and to make recommendations to the proper decision making body regarding solutions to these issues.

Following multiple discussions over several meetings, the Taskforce voted to recommend a substantial change to the manner in which bighorn sheep and moose licenses are issued for both residents and nonresidents specific to the use of preference points. There are three primary components of the changes recommended: 1) Transition from a prescriptive draw where 75% of licenses are drawn from the top point holders to a system that is completely random. 2) Transition to a weighted bonus point system where an applicant’s advantage in the draw increases exponentially with each subsequent year they continue to apply. The Taskforce recommends this be implemented by squaring an applicant’s total number of bonus points. 3) Delay implementation by up to four years from the date the law is effective to provide long term applicants with the highest numbers of preference points a transition period. This was approved by the Task Force on December 3rd, 2021:

The task force solicited and received public feedback and comments in a variety of ways.

I saw that letter but it's unclear, do applicants have four years to use their points or they lose them or do their points get converted to bonus points in four years.

 

[wytex]

You get 4 years to use them or they will get squared and you go into the bonus point system then.

 

[wyoelkfan15]

You get 4 years to use them or they will get squared and you go into the bonus point system then.

Thanks @wytex for the clarification.

Statistically it seems like almost the same system as a true preference point system. Looking at Montana's draw odds, sure there are random low point holders that get a tag, but the majority of the tags go to the highest point holders anyway.

 

[WYelker]

Too bad they did not just axe the points all together and go with completely random.

But squared bonus points works…

Won’t be long until the vast majority of tags are being drawn by people with 4-8 points…

 

[WapitiBob]

Draw results will look like the Utah random side, which is a random bonus point draw.

 

[Cornell Cowboy]

Wyoming's Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee will be discussing a switch from preference points to bonus points at 1:30 today. If anyone is interested in listening or providing public comment, here is the information: (scroll down to Travel and click details for the agenda and meeting materials) https://wyoleg.gov/Calendar/20240501/Meeting

 

[Fremont15]

Just go to a complete random draw.