Wonder why you don't draw, info on the Little Naches rifle elk.

[trophyhunt]

Fist off let me say this, THIS IS NOT A WHINY COMPLAINT ABOUT THE POINT SYSTEM!  I'm not going to complain, I've done enough of that in the past.  This is just interesting info to those who are new to the point system in Wa, simply just interesting info so you understand why it's very hard to draw tags.  At least for some people!  I picked out one of the most popular special BULL hunts from last years stats, the little naches rifle bull hunt# 2808 last year.  Top point person had 29 points they did draw, lowest point that drew was 3. The most number of points drawn was 9, 17 people drew with 9.  After the guy with 29 drew the next person to draw had 16 points.  So, if you add up the number of names in the hat everyone had in the draw, There was 144,989 names, in the draw for 125 permits.  Yes, 144,989 names in the hat.  So even the guy with 29 points had to get very lucky with 841 names in the hat. Makes a guy wonder how you ever do draw, AGAIN, I'm not complaining! Just info.  Wonder how long it will take before someone says, if you don't like the system don't apply???

[rtspring]

Its all about luck, always has been no matter how many points you have.. 

I know alot of people who draw that very tag with less than 5. 1 guy drew it back to back years!!

[builtfordtough]

I drew it with 2 bonus pts. Bonus pts doesn't even matter in my opinion. Just a way to generate more money... Its all luck of the draw

[trophyhunt]

I agree it's all about luck! I think some people will be surprised about the number of names in the hat with 4605 apps.  I have 20 points in quality and bull category's and my odds for drawing are 3% for the tags I'm looking into.

[hughjorgan]

Choose a different weapon to hunt with? Hunt a different state? Apply for an easier to draw bull tag?  Hunt OTC west side bull tags? lots of different choices out there if you really want to hunt branched antler Bulls.

[rtspring]

Im not sure how to fix it, I just play they game and prey...  Im switching it up this year to improve my odds..

[trophyhunt]

Choose a different weapon to hunt with? Hunt a different state? Apply for an easier to draw bull tag?  Hunt OTC west side bull tags? lots of different choices out there if you really want to hunt branched antler Bulls.

That was quicker than I thought it would take, IT"S JUST INFO.  I do hunt with all weapons, I do hunt Idaho for elk, easier bull tags still have a ton of names in the hat. I will hunt otc west side when I lose my points,..........

[hughjorgan]

Choose a different weapon to hunt with? Hunt a different state? Apply for an easier to draw bull tag?  Hunt OTC west side bull tags? lots of different choices out there if you really want to hunt branched antler Bulls.

That was quicker than I thought it would take, IT"S JUST INFO.  I do hunt with all weapons, I do hunt Idaho for elk, easier bull tags still have a ton of names in the hat. I will hunt otc west side when I lose my points,..........

I put in for that tag, but for archery. The area is well known and still isn't easy to draw for what ever your choice of weapon. All my post is saying is give yourself some options.

[Katmai Guy]

Not sure it needs fixing, it is what it is.  If they hand out more permits to improve odds, the quality and quantity of the animals is lessened. To many resident hunters for the number of animals available.  Even with crappy odds, it's still a better option for most people than paying non resident fees somewhere else.

[Bob33]

Its all about luck, always has been no matter how many points you have.. 

I know alot of people who draw that very tag with less than 5. 1 guy drew it back to back years!!

Someone with 400 names in the hat is usually "luckier" than someone with 1.

[trophyhunt]

For the most part the system is ok, with the amount of hunters in our state and what land and animal numbers we have, not sure there is a fix to make the draw odds better.  Maybe some small tweaks like, only being able to pic one category when it comes to the elk and deer, maybe a waiting period after successfully drawing?  I truly believe when it comes to the OIL tags, like moose sheep and goat, the only way to improve those draws is to go back to when you had to buy the tags first to apply.  The game dept says that option was not popular.  In the end I don't see a way to make it much better, it's just the way it is.  I just need to apply with lucky people!!

[trophyhunt]

Its all about luck, always has been no matter how many points you have.. 

I know alot of people who draw that very tag with less than 5. 1 guy drew it back to back years!!

Someone with 400 names in the hat is usually "luckier" than someone with 1.

Usually, maybe.  If you look at the points drawn in the special permit categories, it's interesting how many above 16 don't draw. But yes, I'd rather have 20 than 1 point. 

[willapawapiti]

I was the guy with 29 bull points last year.  Actually, 3 years ago I had 37 points(20 poacher points) in the Quality category.  I drew W. Wenaha Bull as my second choice behind Dayton.  Doing the math that year, I figured I still had only like a 40 to 50% chance of drawing a tag.  Even with a bunch of points it can be a needle in the haystack.  I figure I'm done for big bull tags in WA for life now!

[rtspring]

I was the guy with 29 bull points last year.  Actually, 3 years ago I had 37 points(20 poacher points) in the Quality category.  I drew W. Wenaha Bull as my second choice behind Dayton.  Doing the math that year, I figured I still had only like a 40 to 50% chance of drawing a tag.  Even with a bunch of points it can be a needle in the haystack.  I figure I'm done for big bull tags in WA for life now!

You got a great bull and not far from a road.. You must be lucky

[trophyhunt]

I will be done with worrying about the draw system as well when I zero out my quality and bull permits.  I will hunt big bulls on the west side OTC, and only when I draw the multi season tag will I apply for special hunts.