8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?

[Moose Eyes]

I have been hunting for the majority of my life but have never killed any subspecies of deer other than blacktails.  In fact I have never hunted whitetails and only hunted mule deer once! But in looking at some of the trophys posted here I understand I am missing out!

I was wondering how many preference points one needs to get drawn in an area (in state) with a decent chance of seeing some nice muleys or whitetails? 

Thanks!

[jackelope]

what weapon?

you can refer to  this site for an idea of what it took to draw what tag...

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/specperm/elk.htm

[bow4elk]

You should look into Colorado. With about 3 points you can draw some great units with decent chances at 170-180 class mulies.  If you want to skip the preference point game, just head to eastern plains and work on getting permission (mostly/all private).  There are some monster bucks out there in the flat farmland all the way into Kansas.

[jackelope]

(in state)

[bobcat]

The link jackelope posted will be helpful but you still need to know that there is no set number of points that will guarantee you will draw a particular permit. You could have 20 points and not draw, especially if you only apply for the most popular hunts. Look at the number of applicants for some of those deer permits, some of which have only 10 or 15 permits, will have 2 to 3 THOUSAND people applying for them. The Entiat permit had 5,500 applicants! You can look at the "Average Winner Points" column, and it's interesting to see, but IMO it can be very misleading, as it does not really mean anything, as far as predicting when a person will have enough points to draw.

[Moose Eyes]

Weapon is modern rifle.

I understand how the point system works.  Just curious where I can apply now that my odds are better.

Thanks!

[270Shooter]

Might look into slide ridge

[heavy hauler]

ghost points  if the winter kill is bad this year

[Moose Eyes]

ghost points  if the winter kill is bad this year

Not a bad thought, HH.

[mossback91]

just dont apply where I apply 

[boneaddict]

basically mossback sums it up.
You could get as many answers as there are choices.  Any late hunt is better than general.  For the top choices look at how many people applied.  Other factors might be your time schedule......or your preference in what kind of conditions or country or hunting style

[Elkstuffer]

Start shooting a bow and a muzzleloader and in two years apply for the multi-season deer permit. Then your options are going to be better. You can apply for 4 different hunts and if you don't draw you have some descent general season opportunities with the bow & M/L. Just a thought.

[Moose Eyes]

just dont apply where I apply 

Not Tellem Creek is on my short list.

[walleye1]

save your points if your looking 4 a trophy WASHINGTON is not a trophy state and no easy draws

[bobcat]

But then why would you SAVE points? There's not much sense in accumulating points until you die! I can say if you want to apply for something but don't want to draw a permit, apply for Desert and Entiat modern firearm permits. Probably the two most sought after deer hunts in the state. Doesn't mean they're necessarily the best, just the most popular. And I'm not giving up any secrets here.