Late Point Start, Where to Begin?

[RyanT26]

Colorado otc for as long as they last and New Mexico.

I wouldn’t even start in Wyoming. You could always pick up a tag in the random or hire an outfitter to hunt in the east area otherwise best case your looking at 5 years for a general tag. That is assuming there is ZERO point creep during the next 5 years, which is unlikely. By the time you have 5 points you will need 7.

 

[Indian Summer]

best case your looking at 5 years for a general tag. That is assuming there is ZERO point creep during the next 5 years, which is unlikely. By the time you have 5 points you will need 7.

Actually right now it takes more than 5. So call it 6. If point creep is about .5 per year by the time he has 6 he will need 9. By the time he has 9, he will need a 10.5. By the time he has 11 he will need 11.5. So 12 points will do it in 12 years. Pretty grim. When will it end? Or better yet how will it end? I’ll be very curious to see how things play out.

With so many other states going to new systems because of the same problem, Wyoming will become less attractive to elk hunters both new and old. I have a solution, but it would cost the state millions. Well… not really. Idaho did it. No more points! They get their money from the mandatory prerequisite hunting licenses at $185 per application like Colorado.

But you have to have a plan for issuing licenses to the people who have already purchased points…. as long as they apply when their turn rolls around. If not they lose the points. Simply quit selling points and issue tags to the highest point holders as they do now. Work their way down until people with just 1 point get tags and there’s a random draw for applicants with no points. Then either look at a system similar to Montana after seeing how that works out for several years. Or say screw it like Idaho and go to a random draw. Maybe make successful applicants sit out for 1 year after drawing.

I’m rambling. What a mess.

 

[RyanT26]

Actually right now it takes more than 5. So call it 6. If point creep is about .5 per year by the time he has 6 he will need 9. By the time he has 9, he will need a 10.5. By the time he has 11 he will need 11.5. So 12 points will do it in 12 years. Pretty grim. When will it end? Or better yet how will it end? I’ll be very curious to see how things play

Aren’t you a ray of sunshine

I won’t hold my breath for Gohunt or newberg to lead with that info on their application video.

 

[CMF]

Even with a late start, you can undoubtedly hunt elk every year. You didn't specify weapon type, so that could change things somewhat, but you can pretty much get a tag every year in CO, ID, or UT, every year or three in MT. WY is getting more difficult with the point creep, but it's not to the point I wouldn't start if you want to hit different states. If you have the budget, AZ, UT, and NM have a chance to draw great tags. The odds are horrible, but not zero, and get better with time in states like AZ.

 

[Seminole Wind]

Even with a late start, you can undoubtedly hunt elk every year. You didn't specify weapon type, so that could change things somewhat, but you can pretty much get a tag every year in CO, ID, or UT, every year or three in MT. WY is getting more difficult with the point creep, but it's not to the point I wouldn't start if you want to hit different states. If you have the budget, AZ, UT, and NM have a chance to draw great tags. The odds are horrible, but not zero, and get better with time in states like AZ.

Appreciate the feedback. Rifle is preferred as I believe it would give me the best chance at success. I'm fine with archery as well though. I bow hunt and shoot at events so the proficiency is there with a bow, the skills vs getting a shot at the elk remains to be seen lol.

 

[Cyril]

Actually right now it takes more than 5. So call it 6. If point creep is about .5 per year by the time he has 6 he will need 9. By the time he has 9, he will need a 10.5. By the time he has 11 he will need 11.5. So 12 points will do it in 12 years. Pretty grim. When will it end? Or better yet how will it end? I’ll be very curious to see how things play out.

With so many other states going to new systems because of the same problem, Wyoming will become less attractive to elk hunters both new and old. I have a solution, but it would cost the state millions. Well… not really. Idaho did it. No more points! They get their money from the mandatory prerequisite hunting licenses at $185 per application like Colorado.

But you have to have a plan for issuing licenses to the people who have already purchased points…. as long as they apply when their turn rolls around. If not they lose the points. Simply quit selling points and issue tags to the highest point holders as they do now. Work their way down until people with just 1 point get tags and there’s a random draw for applicants with no points. Then either look at a system similar to Montana after seeing how that works out for several years. Or say screw it like Idaho and go to a random draw. Maybe make successful applicants sit out for 1 year after drawing.

I’m rambling. What a mess.

I did this math the other day....with 4 points currently and current rate of creep, If I am set in W general, I will likely only get to hunt it three times in my life. That is a crazy thought.

 

[wapitibob]

I did this math the other day....with 4 points currently and current rate of creep, If I am set in W general, I will likely only get to hunt it three times in my life. That is a crazy thought.

You started late, may or may not have been your fault, but either way, adjust your hunt choices and go often, or don't. Being set on one hunt, ie W Gen, plan on not hunting WY Elk very often.

 

[Serrano]

I've drawn great tags in CO, UT, AZ, NM and WY.
But most were over 20 years ago.
The point creep has me changing plans and to quit all but CO soon.
Look for somewhere you can hunt without points or with 1 - 2 points.

 

[Indian Summer]

Aren’t you a ray of sunshine

I won’t hold my breath for Gohunt or newberg to lead with that info on their application video.

Here’s a ray of sunshine for you. Right now if point creep is .5 points per year and you are buying one point each year you are catching up. What is going to happen if point creep ever becomes more than one full point a year? Is that even possible? It would certainly be a tipping point. Buying points and getting further behind every year. lol

I just hope I live long enough to see what happens. It will be interesting.

 

[Serrano]

Here’s a ray of sunshine for you. Right now if point creep is .5 points per year and you are buying one point each year you are catching up. What is going to happen if point creep ever becomes more than one full point a year? Is that even possible? It would certainly be a tipping point. Buying points and getting further behind every year. lol

I just hope I live long enough to see what happens. It will be interesting.

It's more than possible for creep to be over 1 point.
I see it in many limited tags in CO, AZ and WY.
Creep will exceed 1 for WY General as soon as the masses of point collectors in WY holding out for a limited tag realize their reality.

 

[wapitibob]

Here’s a ray of sunshine for you. Right now if point creep is .5 points per year and you are buying one point each year you are catching up. What is going to happen if point creep ever becomes more than one full point a year? Is that even possible? It would certainly be a tipping point. Buying points and getting further behind every year. lol

I just hope I live long enough to see what happens. It will be interesting.

I see hunts that drop in points needed, every year.

 

[Jethro]

Actually right now it takes more than 5. So call it 6. If point creep is about .5 per year by the time he has 6 he will need 9. By the time he has 9, he will need a 10.5. By the time he has 11 he will need 11.5. So 12 points will do it in 12 years. Pretty grim. When will it end? Or better yet how will it end? I’ll be very curious to see how things play out.

With so many other states going to new systems because of the same problem, Wyoming will become less attractive to elk hunters both new and old. I have a solution, but it would cost the state millions. Well… not really. Idaho did it. No more points! They get their money from the mandatory prerequisite hunting licenses at $185 per application like Colorado.

But you have to have a plan for issuing licenses to the people who have already purchased points…. as long as they apply when their turn rolls around. If not they lose the points. Simply quit selling points and issue tags to the highest point holders as they do now. Work their way down until people with just 1 point get tags and there’s a random draw for applicants with no points. Then either look at a system similar to Montana after seeing how that works out for several years. Or say screw it like Idaho and go to a random draw. Maybe make successful applicants sit out for 1 year after drawing.

I’m rambling. What a mess.

CO upcoming draw changes will make them similar to WY draw model. CO has point creep just like WY and the 2028 changes will do nothing to remedy that.

What it will do is give people that have zero odds of drawing, some mathematical chance. Evidently many feel better at extremely low odds vs zero.

The other thing the changes will do is cut the odds in 1/2 for anybody that is just about the have points needed for their chosen unit. Those people will get shafted the most. But somebody has to. Can’t make changes that help 1 group without hurting another. No state can.

 

[Cyril]

You started late, may or may not have been your fault, but either way, adjust your hunt choices and go often, or don't. Being set on one hunt, ie W Gen, plan on not hunting WY Elk very often.

Started late or not, doesn't change the math. If I had started 30 years ago and drew many tags including a Gen W four years ago, I would still only be able to draw that tag three more times in my life. I am not complaining or saying there aren't other ways to hunt elk. In fact I have hunted elk every year I wanted to. There are a lot of options and it has never been easier to look them up, digest the information and make a plan on how to hunt elk.

At the end of the day, math is math, there are some tags I will never have and others that will likely be once or a couple times in my life and certainly others that can be had every year.

 

[Indian Summer]

I see hunts that drop in points needed, every year.

I guess I’m always referring to the general licenses. I would be interested to know what caused a hunt to drop in points other than very limited access.

 

[Serrano]

I guess I’m always referring to the general licenses. I would be interested to know what caused a hunt to drop in points other than very limited access.

Decrease in quality or the perception.