out of the points game

[Karl Blanchard]

You can't win if you don't play.  I'm always looking to win.

[D-Rock425]

I'm kinda a gambling man so I keep putting it.  My wife even says I might have a gambling problem but I tell her I have a winning problem I can't win.

[Mr Mykiss]

Beats the heck out of powerball...but much like da ball, it’s best to not count on winning.

[KNOPHISH]

Still in for Q until I draw then back to only Cows with zero, Bull points is at zero too cuz I drew both those at the same time. OIL till I draw or die or can't hunt anymore.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I understand your thought process Vande. I am likely the minority as I tend to think Washington  has one of the better overall points systems.  Given what we have to work with. Sure their are certainly flaws and changes could drastically improve odds for those of us looking for a better bull hunt. But having munched on the greener grass,  its not much better. In essence, you can potentially hunt world class bulls in the blues for 50 dollars. It would take 20 years to have invested a grand in the system. So why not. Guys frequently go into a state BELIEVING that in 15 to 20 years they will draw that tag at an aplication fee of double that minimum. Suckers, the game departments are laffing all the way to the bank, and the first time theres a tough winter, wolves, added hunter pressure, etc..... where do u think cuts come from first? Not resident tags. Now if your looking to go OTC only, then i get it. But when it comes to top tier units odds of hunting them are slim, in some cases none no matter what. So why not apply for the cheapest ones possible.  Even if those odds only increase slightly.

[Jonathan_S]

Somebody has to win.  I'm not going to self eliminate particularly when I live right here.

I would change the draw system in a heartbeat if I could.

[huntnphool]

I will be right behind you, once my points are gone

 At 55 years old I'm done once, if I finally get mine as well.....odds are I'd never draw again anyway.

[vandeman17]

I understand your thought process Vande. I am likely the minority as I tend to think Washington  has one of the better overall points systems.  Given what we have to work with. Sure their are certainly flaws and changes could drastically improve odds for those of us looking for a better bull hunt. But having munched on the greener grass,  its not much better. In essence, you can potentially hunt world class bulls in the blues for 50 dollars. It would take 20 years to have invested a grand in the system. So why not. Guys frequently go into a state BELIEVING that in 15 to 20 years they will draw that tag at an aplication fee of double that minimum. Suckers, the game departments are laffing all the way to the bank, and the first time theres a tough winter, wolves, added hunter pressure, etc..... where do u think cuts come from first? Not resident tags. Now if your looking to go OTC only, then i get it. But when it comes to top tier units odds of hunting them are slim, in some cases none no matter what. So why not apply for the cheapest ones possible.  Even if those odds only increase slightly.

Totally understand and can fully agree with people who still apply and play the game. Hell, I apply in multiple other states as well. In my case, I know that as long as I draw a montana combo tag, I will at least be hunting deer there so for a few hundred extra bucks I can have an elk tag and hunt there too for branched bulls every year. The unit in Oregon we apply for takes about 3 points to draw an any elk tag so mix that in every 3-4 years plus Wyoming/Idaho and its just not worth buying and hoping to draw in Washington, for me personally.

If I had the intention to hunt general elk season here every year it would be different but since I don't, I just don't see the need to spend my money.

[jackelope]

It's probably easy peasy to talk yourself into getting out of the points game when you have zero points.
 

[vandeman17]

It's probably easy peasy to talk yourself into getting out of the points game when you have zero points.
 

100% agree and thus why i am still in the quality deer game. Once those points are gone I am done there as well but I will still buy a deer tag most likely because you can still hunt mature animals on the eastside and not just spikes and cows like elk.

[bobcat]

I can understand wanting to save the money especially when you have plenty of other opportunities to hunt elk in other states. But, it's only about $16 extra to apply for a Quality elk permit. That is if you're like me and are going to purchase a deer, bear, and cougar tag anyway. For me, $16 is all it costs to apply for a quality elk hunt, so I would do it even if I didn't have any points.

[vandeman17]

I can understand wanting to save the money especially when you have plenty of other opportunities to hunt elk in other states. But, it's only about $16 extra to apply for a Quality elk permit. That is if you're like me and are going to purchase a deer, bear, and cougar tag anyway. For me, $16 is all it costs to apply for a quality elk hunt, so I would do it even if I didn't have any points.

I am only buying deer tag so its a bit different but agree that if i was already buying the tag, the permit fee would be ok. (Still way too high but that's for a different thread)

[ridgefire]

I'm done once I draw as well. I enjoy hunting out of state much more than I do Washington.

[Mr Mykiss]

It's all you thousands of guys staying in the game that are killing my odds!!!

[Ridgerunner]

vander, got your message but it still doesn't allow me to respond to you, says your box is still full.