Do you use Tag/Application Services like huntin' fool, TAG's etc?

[squeekieslayer]

I live in MT, have a few points in WYO, but now that I am settled and have a job I was hoping to really get into looking at out of state opportunities. I have done some research, and have essentially learned that it is a big and confusing task to begin getting points and tags for dream hunts.

Since I already live in a state with great opportunities OTC for deer/elk/bear etc on a yearly basis, I really only want to start building points with opportunities for record potential. That said, I would rather wait 10 Years for a 350 bull than 30 years for a 400 bull... if that makes sense.

I have never really applied for NR points and tags, I know some guys use services like TAGs or Huntin' fool, but I was wondering if you guys felt like these were a value or worth their price. I am very busy at work and do not have hours and hours to devote to a research and applications.

Any input would be great.

Joe

 

[dotman]

To me they are only worth the price if you can't front the cash. If you can let your cash go for a few months it is always better then to pay the fee and will save you a ton of money over the long haul. That said when you consider the cost that is a pretty expensive interest rate and you might be better off with a dedicated credit card that has minimal interest.

 

[TEmbry]

I live in MT, have a few points in WYO, but now that I am settled and have a job I was hoping to really get into looking at out of state opportunities. I have done some research, and have essentially learned that it is a big and confusing task to begin getting points and tags for dream hunts.

Since I already live in a state with great opportunities OTC for deer/elk/bear etc on a yearly basis, I really only want to start building points with opportunities for record potential. That said, I would rather wait 10 Years for a 350 bull than 30 years for a 400 bull... if that makes sense.

I have never really applied for NR points and tags, I know some guys use services like TAGs or Huntin' fool, but I was wondering if you guys felt like these were a value or worth their price. I am very busy at work and do not have hours and hours to devote to a research and applications.

Any input would be great.

Joe

It sounds as though you have made up your mind. For me personally they aren't worth the money, but I'm not crunched for personal time in that I can devote the 10 or so hours each winter/spring I do to enter all my apps.

 

[realunlucky]

For most of the hunts its sounds like you want to draw you'll need a few points before you worry which unit. Just look up each state you would like to apply for and write their application deadline on a calender. Some are pretty early and some like wy let you buy just points later on. Az has a Oct deadline for javalina that I always forget because its during hunting season. Make a plan and decide how much a year you want to pay just to get a slim shot at drawing. Beware some states only let the highest points holders draw for the tag that could be a long wait with point creep

 

[Nick Muche]

I don't use a CC for my points and I only buy points in states that have a specific hunt that I want to do someday. Instead of applying to every state for every species I just picked several hunts across the west that I really want to experience in 8-15 years. I am thinking further out because there is so much to do on OTC tags in many states and I can focus on them for years while having something special to look forward to down the road.

For me, applying, following the odds and harvest stats is part of the excitement and I enjoy doing it. Then again, I do not apply to every state, just to the ones that interest me.

 

[TEmbry]

I don't use a CC for my points and I only buy points in states that have a specific hunt that I want to do someday. Instead of applying to every state for every species I just picked several hunts across the west that I really want to experience in 8-15 years. I am thinking further out because there is so much to do on OTC tags in many states and I can focus on them for years while having something special to look forward to down the road.

For me, applying, following the odds and harvest stats is part of the excitement and I enjoy doing it. Then again, I do not apply to every state, just to the ones that interest me.

I follow this same mindset. I cast my net a little wider in that I do mule deer in as many states as possible, and states that require a license to be purchased I apply for points across the board to distribute that cost a little better...but I could care less about units/draw odds for now. I am points only for the past 5-6 years and will continue that way for atleast 2-5 more before throwing my hat in the ring for the exact hunts I want. Only thing I must track is the deadlines to apply and if I have the money to front. Gives me years to form a plan vs rethinking every single year.

 

[wapitibob]

I would ask, do these app services understand the intricacies of the draw to such a degree that my chances of drawng a tag will be maximized or am I just another number in the pool?

 

[squeekieslayer]

I would ask, do these app services understand the intricacies of the draw to such a degree that my chances of drawng a tag will be maximized or am I just another number in the pool?

thats my concern too... they claim to match your desires/abilities/preference to areas that maximize your potential... IF they actually did that it may be worth the little extra in fees, if you are just another guy that they throw into a random draw somewhere i can probably do just as goo on my own.

Joe

 

[tstowater]

I enjoy doing the work myself. I don't have a complicated system and use the Hunt in Fool magazine to help with deadlines and details. The email reminders are handy when I get busy. Also, just because something isn't on your radar know doesn't mean you won't wonder later why you didn't start on a state or species. Check out a couple earlier thread that discussed some of the issues with various draw strategies by the different states. If you don't apply, you won't draw. Just my .02.

 

[bigeasygator]

I started off with TAGS and still use them on a few applications each year, but I'm slowly phasing them out. You'll save a ton of money by not using them. I can't speak for all of them, but my experience is they have established relationships with outfitters in prime units and this is where they put their applicants into the draw. When you draw they encourage you to sign with that outfitter.

When I started I knew nothing about the draws out west and it seemed daunting to learn about the units. I purchased a membership to the Huntin Fool and between that, Eastmans, and the internet it's pretty much all the resources I need to research the various states. It gives me something to do in the offseason!

 

[blb078]

I don't use an app service, half the fun is going through it all. I apply for tags or buy points in 6 western states. Keep all my info on a google docs spreadsheet w/all important info for states game and fish, my id nums, points, tags costs, etc. Pretty much for all the states it's fairly easy to see what the premium units are and in states like UT, AZ, WY, and CO you don't even have to worry about the units yet because you can buy the points w/o putting in for the draw(CO you do have to front the tag price though).

 

[Steve O]

About a decade ago, I used the Huntin Fool one year to put in to all my tags for me. It makes my blood boil every time I thing about those arrogant aholes. They screwed up my app and I am a point behind in everything in Utah. Utah, THEIR state! Do it yourself. If I screw up, I can live with that. I paid for their "expertise" and I have a big pile o dung to show for it. Never again.

 

[Foldem]

I have thought about it in the past, solely to preserve the peace with my wife. Now I just put all of my apps in a spreadsheet with projected refund dates and track the refunds as they come in. It keeps her a lot more at ease.

 

[wapitibob]

The problem I see is you want "record potential". That means max point pool for the best hunts and you won't get there for decades, if ever, starting now. If you're not set on record bulls, The other question is bow or rifle, early only or will a Nov elk hunt work?