Special Elk draw - Group or single tag?

[fishm@n]

Having come over here from Montana 21 years ago, I still find myself trying to find the best angle on getting drawn for coveted tags. I've drawn single cow tags but never a bull tag. For the last few years I've been putting in for the Peaches Ridge Archery Bull with 3 or 4 guys on a group tag. We usually average about 4-5 points across the board. Never been able to draw on a branch bull tag either way. Tried Toutle and Margarette last year with no luck.

Then I see guys on here whose whole camp drew the Toutle tag this year. I understand it is "luck of the draw" but it seems some guys are just damn lucky and draw these tags on consecutive years.

[jstone]

Keep putting in for the toutle tag better for you then the Peaches.

[elkaholic]

Question for you guys on this? I have 8 points for moose and would like to have my dad (non resident 0 points put in with me). Do we go in with 8 points? What if my brother puts in also and brings 1 point to the table?

[carpsniperg2]

Margarette  from what i know has very few tags and allot of people look at the chances of drawing them divide the number of tags by the people who apply and that will show you what percentage get drawn i have a very good friend that has 15 points for sheep, moose, goat and elk he has never drawn one tag yet. so don't feel to bad it is nice when you draw as a group because you all get to hunt together

[bowhuntin]

You have better odds drawing as an individual than a group.

[elkaholic]

I would just love to hunt with my dad or brother on a special draw. Didnt know if it would help? Thanks for the info.

[elkaholic]

I feel bad for a guy who has 15 point sand cant draw... WTF.... that i sbad luck.

[bowhuntin]

Here is the WDFW FAQ answer....

Q: If I am part of a group application, are my chances of getting a permit greater than if I apply by myself?
A: Those who apply as an Individual actually have the advantage over those who apply with a Group. In fact, the larger the group, the more your chances of being selected for a permit are reduced.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/faq/wpsfaq.htm#3

[BLKBEARKLR]

Question for you guys on this? I have 8 points for moose and would like to have my dad (non resident 0 points put in with me). Do we go in with 8 points? What if my brother puts in also and brings 1 point to the table?

I believe they take the number of people in the group and then the number of points and divide them and then it is squared off and you are put in that way

[elkaholic]

Looks like I am solo

[Bob33]

https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wdfw/special_permits.html
"If a group application is selected for permits, all of the hunters in the group receive a permit and each hunter can take an animal. The points accumulated by each hunter in the group are averaged and applied to the group application. "

If you have one hunter with zero points, and one with eight, and they apply as a party, the party has four points.  That's good for the individual with zero points, and bad for the individual with eight points.

[andrew_12gauge]

Question for you guys on this? I have 8 points for moose and would like to have my dad (non resident 0 points put in with me). Do we go in with 8 points? What if my brother puts in also and brings 1 point to the table?

in theory for you and your dad only you would be cutting your draw odds in half because you would each have 5 points which is 25 chances each for 50 total numbers in the barrel, compared to you alone with 9 points for 81 chances, if you throw in the bro with his 1 extra point you end up with 4 points each for 16 chances each and 48 for the group, the 3 of you together though would accumulate a lot of points over a short amount of years together though ie the next year you would have 75 for 3 man group, 72 for 2 man group and 100 by yourself

[THINK_N_ELK]

My group of three was drawn for the Toutle this year.  We went in with an average of 5 pts.  We had 15 between all 3.  It is luck of the draw, have heard of people getting redrawn after a couple years. 

I enjoy hunting with my group and I wouldn't have it any other way.  So if we don't get drawn as a group.  Then that's just another point for next year.  But we always try to put in as a group.

[ELKBURGER]

I've known guys with 13,14,15 points not get drawn for blues tags and others get drawn with far less. I've applied with a buddy for arizona, he had 12 points, me 1. I told him I would reduce his chances if we applied as a group. He didnt mind cause he didnt want to hunt alone. Needless to say we didnt draw. I tell my friends here in wash if they want a big bull tag they cant apply for 2nd or 3rd choices. Be patient.