Broken Points System Rambling

[wildwilderness]

I agree that Youth Preference should be for Female/Antler-less draws only

Lots of nuances with a point system that will always cause complaints. But will persist as long as States want to make extra money off applicants.


Most “fair” imo is a random draw WITH waiting periods.

To increase odds at a specific tag you can restrict applications to 1 species (Utah and Idaho sort of do it) But once again will reduce application money coming in.


The most Capitalistic and still arguably “fair” would be to Auction off EVERY tag! Anyone could bid on a tag. Costs would not be as high as current auction tag prices, but most likely higher than current prices. States would maximize tag Revenues each year. And could charge an auction fee to participate


But that would reduce participation and eventually majority public support for hunting, due to favoring the wealthy. In a sense this already exists with current auction, landowner and outfitter tags available to buy. Prices are high due to the limited availability.

 

[Hnthrdr]

There is no perfect system. Seemed like we were all better off prior to “influencers” making a living on pimping western hunting no matter the system, now that is out of the tube of toothpaste and never going back. All systems have their set of negatives, whatever the system, residents should get preferential treatment to ensure they can hunt close(r) to home every year. Honestly tags will continue to be harder to come by as NR in the future I would guess no matter the system

 

[Mojave]

Some random clowns who don't give two shits about hunting, ethics or anything other than bragging to their buddies get premium tags every year. They really "earned" em over some kid who may become a lifetime hunter and pass down the tradition to their own children.

Tags are drawn based on the state system in place, there's no way to "earn" a tag regardless of age.

I don't think a kids set aside is a bad thing. I don't see the value in a kid getting a sheep, goat, moose, whatever tag or set aside.

I know several people who hunted with their dads as children and shot what most hunters would consider to be a high value animal only to never hunt again.

160 Whitetail in Montana

Bighorn ram in Wyoming. (shot by a non-resident, kid who party hunted it with his cousin illegally). Trophy of a lifetime for most on here.

The majority of dad's will not let a trophy of a lifetime type tag go unfilled by their child. Often it will be illegally party hunted to ensure it is filled.

The concept where a person may gift a tag to someone else they are related to is also BS. Tags should be 100% non-transferrable.

 

[Mojave]

Agree. And through their non-hunting wives and mothers. And not just out west.

Family part hunting is a real problem everywhere.

I remember a Wyoming article where an 85 year old grannie had killed an absolute monster buck or bull, and the game and fish wanted to go after her. She hadn't been outside of her house in years.

 

[Jethro]

I differ from most. I don’t think preference points systems are broken. They function just as designed. Results may not be favorable, but system works. I believe those at the front of the line, that have been waiting the longest, get the prize. The phenomenon of changing the rules to move people up in the line is a relatively new concept that started as draw odds plummeted.

If a state makes a change that benefits me, such as 2028 CO, I’ll use it to my advantage. But I don’t forum lobby for the change.

 

[Mojave]

Some random clowns who don't give two shits about hunting, ethics or anything other than bragging to their buddies get premium tags every year. They really "earned" em over some kid who may become a lifetime hunter and pass down the tradition to their own children.

Tags are drawn based on the state system in place, there's no way to "earn" a tag regardless of age.

Don't call people clowns. It is disrespectful.

Tags are drawn.

Tags can be bought through the Govenor's tags programs in most states.

There needs to be some gateway for kids to get tags. I do not agree that non-resident kids should be allowed in the same pools as resident kids.

Take a look at the programs in New Mexico.

A non-resident child in New Mexico has a similar to slightly better odds than a resident child. They still are only competing for 4% of the tags in the general youth draw.