First western hunt

[Creekrat]

Say 2 guys like to hunt and just have an itch to do a diy hunt with OTC tags, what would you go for, where and why?
My cousin and I want to do this and our only criteria is no whitetail and no axis. This would be a rifle hunt. Long range is ok with us too. Our main criteria are to give us an amazing experience and the best chance at filling a tag or tags.

 

[Rifleman86]

I’d go with Antelope doe tags somewhere. That or mule deer doe. Should be easy to draw if you do your research.

 

[zacattack]

I’d go with Antelope doe tags somewhere. That or mule deer doe. Should be easy to draw if you do your research.

I did that this year for antelope and had a blast. I just found a unit in Wyoming with 100% draw for doe tags, decent public land opportunities and applied.

 

[joe22657]

Antelope for sure. Only had doe tags but a lot of fun.

 

[BeaverHunter]

Antelope. Bucks should be possible if you put in for a few states on easier to draw tags.

 

[deerlick]

Put in for a montana deer combo, good odds you draw then go look at lots of mule deer til you cant stand it and shoot a decent buck.

 

[Creekrat]

Thanks for all the quick replies. Now it's just going to be a lot of studying on the draw systems and what our odds are in the different areas.

 

[buckfever34]

Do a Wyoming Antelope/MD combo. My favorite hunt !

 

[Creekrat]

It's looking like everyone is pushing for the Antelope or Muley. Probably what we will be leaning towards. So a question on the draws. No can anyone help me understand the points system for 2 guys that have never had to deal with it? Like can we buy our point for 2020 and use it for that year or must we wait until 2021 to use points purchased/acquired in 2020?

 

[vermeire]

That is going to be different in different states. And you may not need any points to get drawn depending on where you apply. The concept is when you "put in" for a draw your name is in the lottery one time; like a raffle or door prize. When you have points your name is in the raffle more than once. You have better odds of getting drawn for a tag that way. Some states allow you to buy points even if this is the first time you've applied for a tag.

Based on suggestions is go to the Wyoming and Montana sites and start checking costs, dates, draw odds, and point info. Most states have pretty good FAQ sections to walk you through the process. It's in their best interest to help you through it because you are trying to give them money.

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[realunlucky]

That is going to be different in different states. And you may not need any points to get drawn depending on where you apply. The concept is when you "put in" for a draw your name is in the lottery one time; like a raffle or door prize. When you have points your name is in the raffle more than once. You have better odds of getting drawn for a tag that way. Some states allow you to buy points even if this is the first time you've applied for a tag.

Based on suggestions is go to the Wyoming and Montana sites and start checking costs, dates, draw odds, and point info. Most states have pretty good FAQ sections to walk you through the process. It's in their best interest to help you through it because you are trying to give them money.

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Some states only give permits to point holders who have the most points. Most are hybrid systems that allocated different percentage combinations of permits to top point holders and some to a random draw. Some states square your points and some are straight lottery with your name entered as many times as you have points. A few are full random with everyone getting a single chance or basically no accumulated points. It pays to understand each states different system for sure

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[Creekrat]

I'm getting a headache already...lol

 

[vermeire]

You haven't even started looking for land to hunt yet... Maybe Western hunting isn't for you.

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[nothingtoseehere]

It's looking like everyone is pushing for the Antelope or Muley. Probably what we will be leaning towards. So a question on the draws. No can anyone help me understand the points system for 2 guys that have never had to deal with it? Like can we buy our point for 2020 and use it for that year or must we wait until 2021 to use points purchased/acquired in 2020?

I found when I moved west a few years ago and began hunting out here that learning how draws and point systems worked was a headache. I was always used to going down to the local sporting goods store and buying deer or turkey tags OTC. OTC tags can be tough as everyone may obtain them, which creates a lot of pressure, and the number of guys you see in states like Colorado can be a bit discouraging. I bit the bullet and paid the $150 for GoHunt, which made it easier to draw tags, and had success my first year. That said all of this information may be publicly sourced, but takes some digging, and is not intuitive. If the two of you split the cost and are already planning on heading west, it's a small price to pay. After having said all of that, I would look to Wyoming for Antelope, and possibly mule deer if you can find both in the same unit during concurrent seasons. As a non resident in Wyoming last year, I could draw antelope with 100% odds a for a buck tag ($350ish), and two doe tags (less than $40 each) in a different unit during the same season. With success rates north of 90%, you could be heading home with a lot of meat between the two of you. Good Hunting.

 

[zacattack]

I'm getting a headache already...lol

Yeah it’s a huge headache. I was overwhelmed when I started looking at everything. Then I just broke it down starting large and getting smaller. I started with animal, then sex, then state and finally looked at units. I did a shit ton of research and started making spreadsheets in excel of my plans for the next 10 years of hunts, including species, sex, state, otc/draw, and how many points I’ll have at any given year.

In other news I maybe a bit OCD

 

[Rifleman86]

You haven't even started looking for land to hunt yet... Maybe Western hunting isn't for you.

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Post less.

 

[wytx]

Post less.

I too was confused by this. Public land is here to hunt.

 

[vermeire]

I too was confused by this. Public land is here to hunt.

I agree that public is the way to go. However if navigating a web site for draws is that bothersome finding a good tract of land could be a nightmare.

 

[stevezim2012]

Following. Looking into doing a similar trip.

 

[John Herrera]

Myself as well. Want to pack in and pack out with a guide.