Eastsider sitting on 12 bull elk points, thinking about applying in western WA

[jackelope]

I am really surprised anybody still plays this game in Washington with the odds being what they are.   

Some of us can't afford to hunt out of state every year, especially with $4/gallon gas.

If gas prices and non resident tag prices were cut in half, I would give up on this state, for both deer and elk.

But for now I'm stuck here, and I'm not the type to quit hunting and take up fishing instead.

I'd rather take the chance at drawing a tag over the price to hunt out of state. With non-res permit prices, it puts me out of the game at this point. If I don't draw elk, I usually won't hunt elk. Usually someone in my circle of friends has drawn a permit.
 

[Jonathan_S]

"Average points" are utterly worthless in computing draw odds.

They serve one, and only one purpose: giving applicants who do not understand how the draw works an unrealistic hope of drawing when they are close to having "average points."

 
I think people have an unrealistic expectation of drawing with any amount of points.  The chances of drawing with 25 points, in many instances, are still abysmally low.

[Skillet]

I am really surprised anybody still plays this game in Washington with the odds being what they are.   

Some of us can't afford to hunt out of state every year, especially with $4/gallon gas.

If gas prices and non resident tag prices were cut in half, I would give up on this state, for both deer and elk.

But for now I'm stuck here, and I'm not the type to quit hunting and take up fishing instead.

I'd rather take the chance at drawing a tag over the price to hunt out of state. With non-res permit prices, it puts me out of the game at this point. If I don't draw elk, I usually won't hunt elk. Usually someone in my circle of friends has drawn a permit.
 

I hear what you guys are saying, but it seems to me there is still a general idea of "I have x number of points, so I should draw this year".  This was probably true 10 years ago, but big point numbers means less and less as the years go by - especially the year that the WDFW re-rigged the applications for "more opportunity".  I think it is pretty sad, because I know of a guy here that has max points and would likely end up on the cover of Eastman's if he could draw a tag.  He's as hard working and deserving a guy as I know of, and knowing his odds are going down every year is just a bummer.

I think guys just need to get their minds around the idea it is just becoming more of a moon-shot lottery with every passing year. 

[idahohuntr]

 

Points are obviously becoming worth less and less...I think something needs to be done about draw odds.  I know a lot of people would hate it but I think the best solution is to limit choices...do like Idaho...you get 1 elk and 1 deer OR any One choice for moose, sheep, goat.  This at least makes the more marginal and antlerless tags substantially easier to draw.  Tough tags will still be tough to get but your points will be worth more. 

[deltaops]

So why do people still buy into this if it sucks?  I don't and I do not think I ever will.

I was thinking about putting in for the multi season deer, decided not to do it. I will buy my regular tag and pretty much stick to that. If I could give you points, I would take your money instead. 

Or if anyone wants you can donate money to me and who ever donates more money will get a chance to have deer meat after next season. My hunts are not guaranteed. 

[bobcat]

Points are obviously becoming worth less and less...I think something needs to be done about draw odds.  I know a lot of people would hate it but I think the best solution is to limit choices...do like Idaho...you get 1 elk and 1 deer OR any One choice for moose, sheep, goat.  This at least makes the more marginal and antlerless tags substantially easier to draw.  Tough tags will still be tough to get but your points will be worth more.

Limit us to only one species and my odds of drawing deer or elk goes to zero. I would be putting in for moose. So, I prefer it the way it is.

[MtnMuley]

Points are obviously becoming worth less and less...I think something needs to be done about draw odds.  I know a lot of people would hate it but I think the best solution is to limit choices...do like Idaho...you get 1 elk and 1 deer OR any One choice for moose, sheep, goat.  This at least makes the more marginal and antlerless tags substantially easier to draw.  Tough tags will still be tough to get but your points will be worth more.

I would agree and support that solution too, however, it will never happen here due to the lack of revenue it would cause.  If you're not familiar with Washington, we are a 100% revenue over game management state.

[vandeman17]

I have started taking the money that I normally put towards special permits, multi season tags and all that and put that towards buying points in other states. It is still a little more spendy but worth it in my opinion. It will take some time but I figure that after doing this for a few years, I should start to be able to draw at least one tag in a different state every year or every other year. I am talking the middle tier, 4-7 points to draw type tags. If you do this in a few states, after you draw one then you just start building points in it the following years while you hopefully draw your other permits.

Non resident tags are spendy but worth it. I save up for them each year and also save my vacation time each year. It is pretty much part of my yearly budget so I cut other spending. I also work with a buddy each summer after work hydroseeding and that brings me in about $1500 per summer as well as giving me a good workout. That pretty much pays for my out of state trip each year.

[idahohuntr]

Points are obviously becoming worth less and less...I think something needs to be done about draw odds.  I know a lot of people would hate it but I think the best solution is to limit choices...do like Idaho...you get 1 elk and 1 deer OR any One choice for moose, sheep, goat.  This at least makes the more marginal and antlerless tags substantially easier to draw.  Tough tags will still be tough to get but your points will be worth more.

Limit us to only one species and my odds of drawing deer or elk goes to zero. I would be putting in for moose. So, I prefer it the way it is.

Yep, that is what the sacrifice would have to be...like I said, I know a lot of people would hate it...I doubt you could get more than 20 or 30% support for any change to an existing point system in any state...EVER 

I would agree and support that solution too, however, it will never happen here due to the lack of revenue it would cause.  If you're not familiar with Washington, we are a 100% revenue over game management state.

  I've discussed this with WDFW leaders before and I think you could implement this limited choice and maintain revenues a couple of ways: increase application fees and/or allow point purchases for the species you don't apply for (e.g., if you put in for moose they could still allow you to buy points for deer and elk).   

[rtspring]

With 12 points I would go Muzzy for Peaches Ridge.  Why? Its rut time...

The general rifle any bull is past the rut, much harder to hunt unless you know the area. 

You draw the tag, and I can find you a bull..  Drawing is the hardest part..  The muzzy hunt is incredibly fun.


Rtspring

[vandeman17]

I think I would go along with that route if I was still allowed to buy ghost points in the other categories. I would have to crunch the numbers but I think that the elite tags like colockum bull and such would still be tough to draw but the middle tiers would be easier. It would give a guy the choice to either go for the home run or put in for a mid level bull and hopefully draw a tag a little more often. Heck I don't know. I have given up on WA and once I use my 10 deer points I am done with the points game here. 

[mtman]

Dont apply for the westside you will waste your points. You can shot good bulls in alot of general units on the westside.

[Bullkllr]

This may have been mentioned:

don't more people do it the other way around? I mean hunt west cause it's closer to home, rack up points cause there's limited hunts to put in for, then go east when they feel like they have points to have a shot at a Yak or Blues tag? Seems like I've heard of some doing that.

[jackelope]

I think I would go along with that route if I was still allowed to buy ghost points in the other categories. I would have to crunch the numbers but I think that the elite tags like colockum bull and such would still be tough to draw but the middle tiers would be easier. It would give a guy the choice to either go for the home run or put in for a mid level bull and hopefully draw a tag a little more often. Heck I don't know. I have given up on WA and once I use my 10 deer points I am done with the points game here. 

Why are you not allowed to buy points??

[bobcat]

I think I would go along with that route if I was still allowed to buy ghost points in the other categories. I would have to crunch the numbers but I think that the elite tags like colockum bull and such would still be tough to draw but the middle tiers would be easier. It would give a guy the choice to either go for the home run or put in for a mid level bull and hopefully draw a tag a little more often. Heck I don't know. I have given up on WA and once I use my 10 deer points I am done with the points game here. 

Why are you not allowed to buy points??

He was responding to the idea of restricting people to applying for only one specie each year. His suggestion was to allow people to buy points in all the other categories, even though they could not apply for an actual hunt in those categories.