The pressure of having high point count for special permits-going for it

[Westside88]

I hear a lot of talk about why someone is going to apply points only and plans to draw when they have 20 etc. I'll admit I struggle with it too, should I apply for Quality Elk Eastside or West? Do you choose the most popular area where you've seen people get Big Bulls, but you've never been there, it's 5 hours away and you really don't have a plan. I read an article recently in Eastman's where Guy Eastman referenced " point paralysis" Trying to wait for the perfect time and simply acquiring more points, along with everyone else who applies. This year I decided to go for it in a Westside unit (in the Olympics) I know well. Is it perfect? nope, but no unit really is. I'm well above the average to draw, but nothing's a gimme. If I'm fortunate enough to draw, I'll be hitting it hard and trying to kill the big Rosie I dreamed of when I first hunted this unit as a teenager. Good luck to everyone in the draws. Here's to steep ground, big timber and Big Bulls 

[Bob33]

I think of them as Quality hunts for elk, not hunts for Quality elk.

Good luck on the draw.

[Westside88]

Good way of looking at it

[Mr Mykiss]

Well you’re lucky because in Washington even if you have 20 points it’s likely that 90% of the time you won’t draw. Just sayin.

[JWEBB]

I hear a lot of talk about why someone is going to apply points only and plans to draw when they have 20 etc. I'll admit I struggle with it too, should I apply for Quality Elk Eastside or West? Do you choose the most popular area where you've seen people get Big Bulls, but you've never been there, it's 5 hours away and you really don't have a plan. I read an article recently in Eastman's where Guy Eastman referenced " point paralysis" Trying to wait for the perfect time and simply acquiring more points, along with everyone else who applies. This year I decided to go for it in a Westside unit (in the Olympics) I know well. Is it perfect? nope, but no unit really is. I'm well above the average to draw, but nothing's a gimme. If I'm fortunate enough to draw, I'll be hitting it hard and trying to kill the big Rosie I dreamed of when I first hunted this unit as a teenager. Good luck to everyone in the draws. Here's to steep ground, big timber and Big Bulls 

Good luck and I hope you draw! How many points going in?

[JimmyHoffa]

I think of them as Quality hunts for elk, not hunts for Quality elk.

Good luck on the draw.

I kind of think of them as the reverse.  The hot weather and bugs are offset by the different bull potential.

[Westside88]

I hear a lot of talk about why someone is going to apply points only and plans to draw when they have 20 etc. I'll admit I struggle with it too, should I apply for Quality Elk Eastside or West? Do you choose the most popular area where you've seen people get Big Bulls, but you've never been there, it's 5 hours away and you really don't have a plan. I read an article recently in Eastman's where Guy Eastman referenced " point paralysis" Trying to wait for the perfect time and simply acquiring more points, along with everyone else who applies. This year I decided to go for it in a Westside unit (in the Olympics) I know well. Is it perfect? nope, but no unit really is. I'm well above the average to draw, but nothing's a gimme. If I'm fortunate enough to draw, I'll be hitting it hard and trying to kill the big Rosie I dreamed of when I first hunted this unit as a teenager. Good luck to everyone in the draws. Here's to steep ground, big timber and Big Bulls 

Good luck and I hope you draw! How many points going in?

I’ll have 19 in this draw, like I said there are no gimmes, but I feel good about the unit I’ve chosen. You start getting up in the 18+ range it’s easy to get hung up on only using your points on one of the highest demand units, but the odds are still better of never drawing them

[JWEBB]

Wow you have been patiently waiting! Yep definitely not a for sure thing but you have a lot better odds than most. Wishing you luck

[pd]

I think of them as Quality hunts for elk, not hunts for Quality elk.

That is one of the best comments I have ever heard on this web forum.

[jdb]

 

[Westside88]

I think of them as Quality hunts for elk, not hunts for Quality elk.

That is one of the best comments I have ever heard on this web forum.

I agree, the more I think about I the more solid I feel about trying to draw sooner rather than later. My Dad drew a similar tag in adjoining unit 12 years ago and the experience of basically having the unit to ourselves was amazing. There were 3 of us there in support, with others contributing pre season and throughout the week. When he took a bull on Day 8 of a 10 day tag ( 5 days now) it wasn’t the biggest one we’d seen or tried for, but certainly the most meaningful, because of all the good hunting leading up to it. Thanks for the comments guys, and good luck to you!

[trophyhunt]

You have the right idea, just put in for an area you know and go hunt.  At least if you don't draw you can still hunt 3 point or better instead of spikes.  I know what your going through, I'm sitting at 23 points this year and I've been putting in for hunts 99% of the time.  Only ghost pointed a couple times, this year is one of them.  Good luck in the draw.

[Timberstalker]

You have the right idea, just put in for an area you know and go hunt.  At least if you don't draw you can still hunt 3 point or better instead of spikes.  I know what your going through, I'm sitting at 23 points this year and I've been putting in for hunts 99% of the time.  Only ghost pointed a couple times, this year is one of them.  Good luck in the draw.

One less high point competitor for me!

[trophyhunt]

You have the right idea, just put in for an area you know and go hunt.  At least if you don't draw you can still hunt 3 point or better instead of spikes.  I know what your going through, I'm sitting at 23 points this year and I've been putting in for hunts 99% of the time.  Only ghost pointed a couple times, this year is one of them.  Good luck in the draw.

One less high point competitor for me!

You better draw this year, I'm done with wyoming so all in after this year!!   

[Karl Blanchard]

The underlying issue is the perceived value of said points.  While a person has invested a lot of time, there's very little monetary value associated with said points and even less value as far as increasing draw odds. Points just don't mean that much in this state. Im Sitting on Max deer points with never once applying for points only option.  Even at that I realize that when or if I finally draw, the caliber of animal is less than an otc Idaho tag or 0 point CO unit that I hunt every year. 

I think you absolutely have the right idea by just trying to draw a tag. You only get so many September's in this life.  Don't waste them shooting for the stars.  When you are laying on your deathbed years from now I guarantee you won't be thinking to yourself "man I wish I had hunted less."