WA Preference Point System - Elk

[chad24n]

Briefly looked around for an answer and couldn't fine one. Also not sure where to post this topic. Need help understanding a specific question about WA Preference Point System. Didn't see it on WDFW either.

My Brother in law drew a Quality Elk Tag for any bull in EA WA Archery. We both like to put in for 2 specific units, one of the units has a quarter of the tags as the other with same number of applicants. I always enter the unit with less tags as my first choice, he entered the unit with more tags as his first choice and was drawn for his first choice, even though we both would rather hunt the unit with less tags.

So the question, he put the more tags unit as number one because he believed that would increase his odds of getting drawn, is this true? I don't know how it works for sure, but I tend to think that it doesn't matter which one is first. I tend to think that they put all of the hunters in one pool for each category. Ex: all EA WA Archery Quality applicants are in one pool and they start selecting names one at a time, with each hunter selected, their first choice is checked for availability and if no availability of tag, system moves to second choice and checks for availability. If neither is available, he/she is not selected and system moves on to next hunter drawn until all of EA WA Quality tags are filled. This is my belief. Belief number two, would be that they only select each Permit Hunt at a time, pooling all of the applicants for that specific hunt versus all of ea wa.

The main question is does it really matter which order you chose your permit hunts? I don't think it does so put your favorite first.

Please respond if you have solid insight into this. Thanks.

[elkchaser54]

Every draw is done individually and first and second choice only matter if you get selected for both tags. At least that's my understanding. First or second doesnt affect your odds

[chad24n]

Every draw is done individually and first and second choice only matter if you get selected for both tags. At least that's my understanding. First or second doesnt affect your odds

Simple and clean answer. How did you source this info? WDFW? I can't find it

[KopperBuck]

I thought it’ll give you better odds in the unit with more tags because there’s less chance that all the tags have been taken already when my # is pulled.


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[KopperBuck]

I was thinking about this yesterday though. For example, how does an individual draw a bull moose tag on 2nd choice? I saw a member on here pulled one I believe. I used to think how could a second choice be filled - It’s not like there were leftover tags?


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[chad24n]

I though it’ll give you better odds in the unit with more tags because there’s less chance that all the tags have been taken already. I would definitely put the hardest first and hope that when my number is pulled that unit hasn’t reached capacity yet. My 2nd tag would be 2nd hardest, and so on...


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I don't believe your odds are affected by having one or another choice first... however, with regard to you choosing hardest to draw hunts, I'd call that high risk high reward assuming those hunts are better because they are hard to draw. Personally, I believe having a tag is better than not so I generally put in for 1 hard to draw and 1 much easier to draw with the hopes of being drawn for something and still giving myself a shot at a primo draw.

[chad24n]

Every draw is done individually and first and second choice only matter if you get selected for both tags. At least that's my understanding. First or second doesnt affect your odds

I was thinking about this yesterday though. For example, how does an individual draw a bull moose tag on 2nd choice? I saw a member on here pulled one I believe. I used to think how could a second choice be filled - It’s not like there were leftover tags?


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Elkchasers answer explains your moose scenario, your individual wasn't drawn in first choice but was in second choice... so awarded second. If he was drawn in both OR just the first and not second, he would receive the first.

[ELKBURGER]

Tagging, I think you will be seeing many interpretations on this. I thought that when a hunters name is pulled, the system looks for available permits for 1st choice, if none are left it looks at 2nd choice, and so on...
Those hunters that draw first choice hunts are just the earliest pulled. I am hoping see other perspectives.

[fishngamereaper]

You ever wonder how many times your name is drawn and both your choices are filled already...

[ELKBURGER]

You ever wonder how many times your name is drawn and both your choices are filled already...

Every category, every year.

[elkchaser54]

They don't draw names . Think of it this way ..... a giant raffle drum spinning and you walk up to it with your number of tickets, which is your points squared put them in the drum.  Then they the independent agency in charge of the random drawing will pull X number of tickets out.   If one of those tickets is yours, you win in that drawing . If you win in multiple choices, you get first choice on your list and your second choice tag would go back for someone else to win out of that second raffle drum

[nwhunter]

When you are drawn for a quality tag they look at both your choices before going to the next person in line. If your first choice is available you get it but if its not and your second choice is available you get it. So most people would put the hardest tag to draw that they want as their first choice and easier tag second.. Every state is different. Many states only look at your first choice for going to next applicant so a tougher decision..

[elkchaser54]

It's a random drawing . You're just given more entries.  It's not a preference draw... it's a bonus points draw

A preference draw is when a percentage of tags are given to those with the most points and that's not Washington because some people make it 20 points and never draw. 

[the1rod]

They don't draw names . Think of it this way ..... a giant raffle drum spinning and you walk up to it with your number of tickets, which is your points squared put them in the drum.  Then they the independent agency in charge of the random drawing will pull X number of tickets out.   If one of those tickets is yours, you win in that drawing . If you win in multiple choices, you get first choice on your list and your second choice tag would go back for someone else to win out of that second raffle drum

So the way you explain it here makes it sound like it is an individual drawing for each tag,  and if you are drown in the drawing for your first choice and the drawing for your second choice then you get your first choice tag.  Others are making it it sound like there is only one drawing for all the tags,  and if you are drawn then you get your first choice if it's still available if not then you get your second choice if it's available,  and they just keep drawing from the same drum until all the tags are gone. The difference in these two options seems to be the biggest confusion between everyone,  anyone one have a definite answer one way or the other?

[huntnfmly]

Tagging, I think you will be seeing many interpretations on this. I thought that when a hunters name is pulled, the system looks for available permits for 1st choice, if none are left it looks at 2nd choice, and so on...
Those hunters that draw first choice hunts are just the earliest pulled. I am hoping see other perspectives.

You are correct