Applying as a Group vs. Individual

[CoolRain8]

My friends and I are planning to try our first DIY hunting trip in Montana. There are three of us and I was planning on submitting a party application for the three of us. Would we have better draw odds applying as individuals or in a group? We’re OK with having one elk tag the other two want the experience and the chance to hunt this year. I haven’t found the subject touched on and just wanted to get an opinion.

So my question is can we all hike around with one elk tag one weapon if only one of us has an elk tag. Obviously whoever draws the tag will be the one to shoot the animal.

All input is much appreciated!!

 

[MuleyFever]

If you apply as a group you are 1 applicant so one chance to draw. If you apply individually you each have a chance to draw. Why would you think that people hunting cannot have friends with them?

 

[Legend]

My hunting buddy and I apply for several out of state tags. We are in it for the adventure and it doesn't matter who punches a tag. Thus we always apply seperate as this way there are 2 names in the draw.

From your post I would go seperate.

 

[bobr1]

My friends and I are planning to try our first DIY hunting trip in Montana. There are three of us and I was planning on submitting a party application for the three of us. Would we have better draw odds applying as individuals or in a group? We’re OK with having one elk tag the other two want the experience and the chance to hunt this year. I haven’t found the subject touched on and just wanted to get an opinion.

So my question is can we all hike around with one elk tag one weapon if only one of us has an elk tag. Obviously whoever draws the tag will be the one to shoot the animal.

All input is much appreciated!!

Interesting, 3 second search for "group application" with 9 pages, hardly touched on I guess.....

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/group-application-strategy.192877/

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/colorado-group-application.199407/

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/wyoming-group-application-draw-odds-question.204597/

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/party-applications.197087/
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/co-application-question.213112/page-2#post-2074409

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/montana-group-applications.90162/

 

[Rich M]

The way I remembered it was that if one person drew, then they all get it. The other thing was in some states they'll throw an extra tag or two at you if you draw as a group when there was only say 1 tag left.

The way we roll is that if we're traveling across the country to hunt its an all or nothing thing. We do the group application.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

Each state is different. Colorado is the lowest number of preference points goes for the whole group, meaning if two guys have 3 points, one guy has 1 point, and one guy has 0 points, you all go in with 0.

They also don’t do “extra” tags, meaning if there are 3 tags left and your group of 4 draws, you’re SOL. For that, you just have to look at the numbers. If there are 200 non resident tags for that unit, it’s not likely to matter. If there are 8, it can be a big problem.

You might also look at overlapping seasons. A muzzleloader bull tag might be a draw that only one person gets, but the other guys could buy OTC cow or archery tags.

I do wish you could share tags within a group, rather than them being assigned to a specific person, even if everybody had to buy a tag. We are putting in as a group of 2 for muzzleloader this year, applying for one bull and one cow. However you can switch who shoots what.

 

[voltage]

By applying separately, you essentially triple your odds of drawing 1 tag, but significantly decrease your chance of all drawing.

There are some crazy states (like my state of Missouri) that require for everyone participating to have a tag which is extremely stupid IMO. For example, if I was to draw 1 of the 5 elk Missouri tags, I am not allowed to bring someone with me to call. I am not aware of any western state that has that rule.

 

[CoolRain8]

Thank you guys so much for the response as I greatly appreciate it!!

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

For a Montana general tag, I'd apply as a party. You're odds aren't really any different, and if you draw everyone gets a tag.

If it's a limited entry hunt with a small amount of tags I might consider going into the draw separately.