Question about how choices within special permits

[Dbax129]

I was wondering about how this all works in regards to your odds of drawing tags that not your first choice. 
Most island tags around puget sound are a sure draw for a 2nd deer tag because they offer more tags than there are people who apply for them. 
What if I were to apply for something that is harder to draw, as my first choice.   Would I still be able to count on that "sure thing" island draw if I didn't draw the harder one?
say I did this
1st choice:  North River
2nd choice: Kitsap
3rd choice: Coweeman
4th choice: Blakely

Blakely is a sure draw, because only 9 people applied for 30 tags, But would I still draw it if it was my 4th choice, and then I have a chance of drawing one of the ones I would rather pick?  I would rather draw an Island sure thing than nothing at all though, if that's what this type of order would do.
Thanks!

[Alan K]

Yes.  Order your picks from least likely to draw to most likely to draw (provided you're happy with actually getting any of them). 

[Dbax129]

and I will still draw my sure thing tag?   I'm advising my buddies on this, since none of has ever applied for permits before, I don't want to give them all the wrong advice and have none of us draw a tag that all of us could draw.   Thanks!

[Alan K]

Nothing is a guarantee, 100 people might have the same plan as you and there goes your surplus of permits.  But as far as how the draw works, you've got it.

I'd say if you're not 100% sure you'd be willing to drive clear down to North River or the Coweeman though you might axe those.  Seems like every year you hear about guys drawing X permit since they put it down as their 3rd or 4th choice, and are actually disappointed.

[Dbax129]

Thanks for the tips!  I'm plenty willing to drive for them, and I too dont understand people drawing permits they wont hunt.  I'm pretty sure there is a point option right? Thats what I plan on buying in quality categories, as I have plans for this year already.

[Alan K]

Yep, points option numbers are on page 87 of this years hard copy of the regulations, and I think it's usually last on the drop down menu when you select your hunts.

Back on the thing about people drawing permits they don't necessarily want. . . I think some people feel as though they have to fill out each of the choices, and that's not the case. I've been putting in for a single hunt the last few years.  Not only will I be getting the one hunt that I want deep down, but if I put in for and drew a secondary (or third/fourth) choice I won't be taking the opportunity from someone who really wants it.

Good luck to you and your buddies in the draw!   

[lokidog]

Just a note, if you are putting in for Blakely, make sure you have a place to hunt.  It is pretty much private, as are most of the islands, and from what I understand the "public" land is thickly treed and hard to access.  The west side of Blakely where the public land is is a rocky shoreline and about a 100% or steeper slope up from the rocks.   

[Bob33]

Just a note, if you are putting in for Blakely, make sure you have a place to hunt.  It is pretty much private, as are most of the islands, and from what I understand the "public" land is thickly treed and hard to access.  The west side of Blakely where the public land is is a rocky shoreline and about a 100% or steeper slope up from the rocks.   

"Pretty much private" is an understatement. If you do not know a landowner on Blakely, you will be paying $66 for a second tag of no value. There were only 9 applicants for a reason. 

[Dbax129]

Awe, who doesn't like knocking on 50 doors and getting them slammed in their face?    I think I'm going for Vashon-Murray anyway.  And I think I'll just do Kitsap as my first and Vashon as my second.... I'm pretty much resigning to hunting deer in modern season (all in firearms restricted areas) and elk in Muzzle loader.  Though I may end up buying that multi deer later this year.  We will see... Baby is coming in Sept some time, I might need all the hunting days in the world in order to get out enough to find anything!

[Bullkllr]

FYI, if you haven't already got it, when your "number" in the draw comes up the system gives you your 1st choice, if any permits are still available. If their all filled it gives you your 2nd choice. If their all filled it goes to the 3rd, and finally the 4th, which you get if it still has permits availble.

So definately put down hunt you want most 1st, and so on, but make sure all of your choices are hunts you would like to draw.