I've been trying to figure out what states to hunt/invest in and I have compiled a short list. I live on the east cost and I basically selected the four closest states to research.
I figured that this information may be helpful to others and I've already received so much assistance here that I thought that I would share my research and try to contribute. I believe after some consideration that the states that I'm going to invest in are Wyoming and Montana.
If anybody would like to provide information on other states, offer any advice, correct any of the following information, etc. please let me know and I'll gladly edit this post for future reference and benefit of myself and others.
Here come the questions!
In regards to Montana bonus points; what is the difference between ELK B BONUS POINT and ELK PERMIT BONUS POINT?
Can anybody speak from experience and confirm the above information, should I invest in a preference point in Montana if I'm trying to draw an elk tag? The information I found in regards was a few years old from the sources. I'm not interested in combo points at this time, trying to take two animals in a 3-6 days of hunting seems like a little much. I figured that I would get 1 preference point and then accumulate bonus points for elk and black tail in MT.
Does anybody know how drawing as a group works in Montana or Wyoming as far as points are concerned? As an example, if I have 2 points and try to draw with a friend that has 0 points, will the points be averaged or will they go off of the lowest number in the "party"? Another question I have is if I draw with a friend with 0 points and it's successful, will I lose my points if the party's points were averaged to 0?
I figured that this information may be helpful to others and I've already received so much assistance here that I thought that I would share my research and try to contribute. I believe after some consideration that the states that I'm going to invest in are Wyoming and Montana.
If anybody would like to provide information on other states, offer any advice, correct any of the following information, etc. please let me know and I'll gladly edit this post for future reference and benefit of myself and others.
Wyoming
Purchase points July 1 to October 31 (points expire after 10 years of inactivity)
https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/elsapplication/ELSWelcome.aspx - (307) 777-4600
$52 for elk preference point
$41 for deer preference point
$10 Super Tags - raffles for tag
Montana
Purchase points July 1-September 30 (Bonus points do not expire until you draw and preference points expire after 3 years of inactivity)
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/drawings/bonusPoints.html - (406) 444-2950
Doesn't seem like you need preference points for general hunting tags unless you want a combo tag (ie: deer/elk) and generally take 1 preference point to draw.
Preference points move you up in line for a general hunting tag for state wide hunting in any OPEN unit--bonus points are irrelevant to draw the general tag.
Bonus points improve chances of getting a limited entry tag in a specific unit. You must draw a general hunting tag before having an opportunity to draw a limited entry tag. If you draw a limited entry tag you are LOCKED IN to that specific unit and can't hunt anywhere else. Bonus points are squared when drawn (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36)
11 weeks of hunting with one tag, good for both bow and rifle.
Preference Points $50 and Bonus Points $25
Colorado
Purchase points around March/April (seems to differ) and closes before draw - OTC tags available after draws (points expire in 10 years)
https://www.cpwshop.com/purchaseprivilege.page - (800) 244-5613
CO has the largest numbers of elk, however lots of people state that hunting pressure can be massive. People invest in large amount of points and still don't draw desirable units.
May be best to not invest in points and do OTC/leftover hunts with expectations of running into lots of pressure.
Draw for Elk Preference is $9 and qualifying small game tag ~$80 required to purchase points
Utah
Purchase points January 30 - March 19
https://www.utah-hunt.com/(S(oxftry3m3rnniobqqvyfwyiu))/default.aspx - (801) 538-4700
Preference and bonus points, basically works the same as Montana without squaring of bonus points.
Distribution of licenses seems to be limited, lots of people with multiple points seem to have difficulty drawing.
$10 for elk bonus point
----------------------------------------Purchase points July 1 to October 31 (points expire after 10 years of inactivity)
https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/elsapplication/ELSWelcome.aspx - (307) 777-4600
$52 for elk preference point
$41 for deer preference point
$10 Super Tags - raffles for tag
Montana
Purchase points July 1-September 30 (Bonus points do not expire until you draw and preference points expire after 3 years of inactivity)
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/drawings/bonusPoints.html - (406) 444-2950
Doesn't seem like you need preference points for general hunting tags unless you want a combo tag (ie: deer/elk) and generally take 1 preference point to draw.
Preference points move you up in line for a general hunting tag for state wide hunting in any OPEN unit--bonus points are irrelevant to draw the general tag.
Bonus points improve chances of getting a limited entry tag in a specific unit. You must draw a general hunting tag before having an opportunity to draw a limited entry tag. If you draw a limited entry tag you are LOCKED IN to that specific unit and can't hunt anywhere else. Bonus points are squared when drawn (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36)
11 weeks of hunting with one tag, good for both bow and rifle.
Preference Points $50 and Bonus Points $25
Colorado
Purchase points around March/April (seems to differ) and closes before draw - OTC tags available after draws (points expire in 10 years)
https://www.cpwshop.com/purchaseprivilege.page - (800) 244-5613
CO has the largest numbers of elk, however lots of people state that hunting pressure can be massive. People invest in large amount of points and still don't draw desirable units.
May be best to not invest in points and do OTC/leftover hunts with expectations of running into lots of pressure.
Draw for Elk Preference is $9 and qualifying small game tag ~$80 required to purchase points
Utah
Purchase points January 30 - March 19
https://www.utah-hunt.com/(S(oxftry3m3rnniobqqvyfwyiu))/default.aspx - (801) 538-4700
Preference and bonus points, basically works the same as Montana without squaring of bonus points.
Distribution of licenses seems to be limited, lots of people with multiple points seem to have difficulty drawing.
$10 for elk bonus point
Here come the questions!
In regards to Montana bonus points; what is the difference between ELK B BONUS POINT and ELK PERMIT BONUS POINT?
Can anybody speak from experience and confirm the above information, should I invest in a preference point in Montana if I'm trying to draw an elk tag? The information I found in regards was a few years old from the sources. I'm not interested in combo points at this time, trying to take two animals in a 3-6 days of hunting seems like a little much. I figured that I would get 1 preference point and then accumulate bonus points for elk and black tail in MT.
Does anybody know how drawing as a group works in Montana or Wyoming as far as points are concerned? As an example, if I have 2 points and try to draw with a friend that has 0 points, will the points be averaged or will they go off of the lowest number in the "party"? Another question I have is if I draw with a friend with 0 points and it's successful, will I lose my points if the party's points were averaged to 0?
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