Max pts

[andersonjk4]

  and the fact that everyone can apply for every category every year.  Only way to increase odds is to increase tags or reduce applicants. 

Also, I am not a statistician, but I don't think the range of numbers assigned (0-99 million) makes a difference in odds.  For example if there were only two applications and each were assigned a number between 0 and 99,000,000 the odds of having the lower number would be 50/50, of the range was 0-100.... odds = 50/50, of the range is 0-10... odds = 50/50...  you get where I'm going. 

[vandeman17]

Let a guy dump all his deer points into one catergory for one species. Its still only one tag given out but would clear out a ton of points. Not a quick fix but could help slow point creep, at least I think... maybe... 

[kentrek]

There's only one reason that it essentially becomes a random draw, that's because the number of permits offered is so low that it doesn't allow the squaring of the points to really have the effect they sold us.  Back when the state used to provide draw data, if you looked at the palouse buck tag and who was drawing that tag it was operating as it was intended.  Only problem was that tag had like 600 permits.  It was the only tag in the state with really enough points to allow those with higher point totals better odds.  Since so many of our hunts have such few permits it really does turn into a random draw scenario. 

If they ever went Mule deer to a draw only and were giving out 600 or 800 tags per unit, you would see that those with higher points would typically be the ones drawing the tags which is what they sold us on when it was implemented.

  tag #s are huge...WHEN washington goes to a draw only for generals the current system will be more usefull

[Stein]

Let a guy dump all his deer points into one catergory for one species. Its still only one tag given out but would clear out a ton of points. Not a quick fix but could help slow point creep, at least I think... maybe... 

That is my wish, limit the entries to one per species for elk and deer and one entry total for moose, sheep, goat combined.  WDFW would have to jack up the prices to keep it revenue neutral.

The other drawback is you don't get the rush of being able to apply for everything under the sun which is attractive to more people than required to keep the system the way it is.  Many people like clicking all those buttons and dreaming of all the hunts they may draw.

I don't see WDFW making any substantial changes in the draw system other than more things will go to draw which generates more money.

[Alan K]

And odds for anything reasonably good would change from 0.2% to 0.7%... No thanks, I'll take my lottery chance in every category.

One easy thing to do though would be to NOT give people their points back if they draw multiple categories. That's the dice you roll.  Now there is no reason to not apply for everything, further reducing everyone's odds. 

[The scout]

It’s a nice little fairytale everyone is bringing up as far as good ideas to help the draw system, but it has nothing to do with helping us hunters, it is all about money. They keep taking opportunities across the board from fishing to hunting and want more money to do it. If it weren’t for my kids I would really try not to piss away any more money on tags or licenses here again.

[trophyhunt]

I bet the odds noticeably dropped after they let us get our points back for no reason, who wouldn't put in for everything now. 

[Ghost Hunter]

You guys have convinced me to re-start applying for all the hunts I've used my points on.  Random draw, party on.  It's only money and I'm on the downhill slide.   

[CarbonHunter]

And odds for anything reasonably good would change from 0.2% to 0.7%... No thanks, I'll take my lottery chance in every category.

One easy thing to do though would be to NOT give people their points back if they draw multiple categories. That's the dice you roll.  Now there is no reason to not apply for everything, further reducing everyone's odds.

I do not think there was many people who were selective of what they applied for given the odds were so low for all categories. Giving the points back just means there is a handful of tags that get passed to the next person in line so tags don’t go to waste.

[Romulus]

Guys, this is funny every year.......there are too few tags and too many hunters....no system would make you happy.  Way back when the meat hunters were happy when they could try to draw their cow tags or doe tags and still try for big bulls etc..........What happened?  Now they cant even draw cow tags because the more serious trophy hunters could now apply for a cow and did not lose the chance for a bull. Think about it like this.........if they split species your odds would get better. But better is going from 1 in 1000 or worse for sheep to 1 in 200 or something. Still never gonna draw realistically. Premium elk tags might go from 1 in 200 or worse to 1 in 50 or something. you might get 1 in your life. Most of you will hate this but the only way to really increase odds is to raise price of nonrefundable money.  I know....just helps the wealthy......It just mimics the economics of life....If you get your name in the hat cheap everyone has their name in the hat. But if it was $500 to apply for trophy bulls and $3000 to apply for sheep the odds would reflect that. And meat hunts would be cheap. Not gonna happen so all just suffer together hoping for the lucky number.

Good luck!!!

[OutHouse]

Sorry for my ignorance on this, but I want to start putting in for an archery bull tag during the rut in the units west of Yakima. Should I even bother? Sounds like it will never happen. But I can't win if I don't play. Like the lottery I guess!

Can anyone enlighten me a little on this as to my area over here? Thanks!   

[Karl Blanchard]

Sorry for my ignorance on this, but I want to start putting in for an archery bull tag during the rut in the units west of Yakima. Should I even bother? Sounds like it will never happen. But I can't win if I don't play. Like the lottery I guess!

Can anyone enlighten me a little on this as to my area over here? Thanks!   

shot you a pm

[trophyhunt]

Guys draw with little points all the time. 

[Falcon]

Guys draw with little points all the time.

If TH does not draw his elk tag this year, He’s gonna need a new therapist 

[CarbonHunter]

Guys draw with little points all the time.

That’s because a majority of the applications are from people with few points. At the end of the day that majority of people end up with a lot of applications in the pool so it’s just a numbers game that some of them get drawn.

Two things would change the game without doing away with points: one application per species and everyone gets their first choice before they look at second choices. That is the way a lot of states do it. If you have a hard to draw hunt as your first choice you’re going to wait a while. If you have a doe or cow tag as choice 1 you will not wait very long to get drawn.