Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Moose Eyes on January 10, 2009, 11:15:00 AM

Title: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: Moose Eyes on January 10, 2009, 11:15:00 AM: 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!
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: jackelope on January 10, 2009, 11:19:04 AM: 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
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: bow4elk on January 10, 2009, 11:23:41 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: jackelope on January 10, 2009, 11:26:48 AM: Quote
(in state)
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: bobcat on January 10, 2009, 11:29:10 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: Moose Eyes on January 10, 2009, 01:29:43 PM: Weapon is modern rifle.

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

Thanks!
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: 270Shooter on January 10, 2009, 06:04:01 PM: Might look into slide ridge ;) :twocents:
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: heavy hauler on January 10, 2009, 09:42:52 PM: ghost points if the winter kill is bad this year
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: Moose Eyes on January 10, 2009, 09:48:08 PM: Quote from: heavy hauler on January 10, 2009, 09:42:52 PM
ghost points if the winter kill is bad this year

Not a bad thought, HH.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: mossback91 on January 11, 2009, 08:58:56 AM: just dont apply where I apply :P
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: boneaddict on January 11, 2009, 09:18:47 AM: 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
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: Elkstuffer on January 11, 2009, 09:40:31 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: Moose Eyes on January 11, 2009, 02:12:25 PM: Quote from: mossback91 on January 11, 2009, 08:58:56 AM
just dont apply where I apply :P

Not Tellem Creek is on my short list. ;)
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: walleye1 on January 11, 2009, 07:16:41 PM: save your points if your looking 4 a trophy WASHINGTON is not a trophy state and no easy draws
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: bobcat on January 11, 2009, 07:28:33 PM: 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. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: heavy hauler on January 11, 2009, 08:48:03 PM: i might be doing ghost points this year on everything.2 reasons winter kill and lack of vacation.hopefully the herds recover quickly.thats why i am saving points.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: muleracks on January 11, 2009, 09:32:31 PM: It looks like the northeastern corner of the State is getting hit hard again this year. The 07-08 winter kill, in that area, appears to have been much greater than the wildlife bios where reporting. I would stick with the east slope of the Cascades; Chelan County units where there is almost no snow and the Chinook Winds, a week ago,took off what was there.

If I were applying, my choices would be GMU 245, 246, 250 and 251. Mostly Entiat units without the Entiat name so fewer applications. The Desert and Entiat units are a little harder to draw and no better than the other for the trophy bucks.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: blindpig on January 13, 2009, 06:10:52 AM: Apply for Desert. It the winter kill is as bad as they say it is, it won't recover for years. Hopefully the ones that do survive are the big bad boys.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: andrew_12gauge on January 13, 2009, 07:02:49 PM: and if you apply for the desert and get drawn you shouldnt have to worry about winterkill out there
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: Bunkster on January 13, 2009, 08:13:39 PM: I would go desert first then Entiat....I know there has to be some more lunkers hiding somewhere....I have seen a few there. That is where I put in for bow, got drawn in 06 but blew my back out and couldn't go.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: SHANE(WA) on January 13, 2009, 11:26:43 PM: whitetails you dont need to draw anything, only the mica unit that requires a late season permit.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: mossyoak arrow slinger on January 14, 2009, 10:02:44 PM: save your points if your looking 4 a trophy WASHINGTON is not a trophy state and no easy draws

i dont know how you can say that walleye1!!!! You have some of the biggest deer in the state right in your back yard. i have seen the quality of some of the animals in this state and they are trophys in anyones eyes. I do like the idea of putting in for the ghost points after this winter kill we are going to have.
Title: Re: 8 Points in 2009: Where Would You Apply?
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 15, 2009, 05:43:29 PM: I'd apply for the Mission tag...........tons of big bucks down low when the snow flies :chuckle: