New to the points game

[Mdhunter]

I'm new to out of state hunting . I'm planning me first trip to idaho this year and will be putting in for the draw and hunting general if I don't draw. I would like to start building points in other states like colorado Nevada and so on. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what states give a full refund minus application fees and such if any. Or does ever state make you buy a license no matter what. I'm looking for mule deer elk and possibly antelope. Coming from california all I really hunt is pig and blacktail.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Need to buy a lic in OR, NV, UT, AZ, ID and in NM you need it to apply but its refundable.

 

[Solitude]

Pick up a subscription to Eastmans or HF, get a plan, learn the states rules and draw odds (for example NV is going to cost you through the nose to earn enough points to realistically draw a tag but archery deer can be had every couple years) and start banking points. You may be able to figure much of this out at elk101.com or Eastmans or HF on line.

Take a look at this link for 2013 and click in each state as it gives you a good run down.

http://elk101.com/featured-articles/features/2013-state-by-state-elk-hunting-application-guide/

Many of the states will force you to purchase a non refundable license fee to even get in the game. This can add up quickly and depending on the draw odds and what tag you are looking to draw may leave you asking if a given state is worth the financial investment and time to draw the tag. (Oregon, Nevada and Arizona often are used as examples)

Do not forget to bank points in your home state and hunt mule deer in the x zones while hunting D, B and perhaps A zones on a annual bases.

Good luck on your research and shoot me a PM if you have a specific on a particular state and/or animal.

 

[AZ Vince]

I limit myself, due to time and financial reasons, to two states.
One, my home state, and the second is WY. You have to look hard at how much money you're willing to spend each year buying a NR License that you may not even use just to get in the game. For me I quickly decided it wasn't worth it due to having other financial commitments. If my situation were different then I'd look at some other states.

 

[CoHiCntry]

I would also take your age into consideration. It's getting harder and harder to draw quality tags. Applying in other states seems to be getting more and more popular all the time too. If your in your twenties or thirties you have time to draw some of the better tags in your lifetime. If your in your fifties or older... you won't have as much time to wait around for some of the better tags.

 

[Mdhunter]

Thanks for the info...I'm only 23 so hopefully I'm young enough to draw in some good areas. I have been putting in for the. X zones here and plan on hunting idaho and colorado on a consistent basis tags permitting. I'm planning the trip to idaho this year and was planning on hunting unit 43 and trying to draw in 44. I know it gets a lot of pressure from my research but it also looks to be some good deer population just by looking at the stats. Let me know if I'm off on my research. I'm just looking to get my feet wet. I just want the opportunity at shooting a deer. Doesn't have to be a trophy. Never been there so I don't know what to expect with size or how many deer we would see a day. Prolly going for 9 or 10 days so hopefully it will pay off.. Anybody have any info on that unit or the surrounding units. Not looking for anybody's spot just a little info on what to expect

 

[fulldraw1972]

Sorry I can't help on 43 or 44. I did hunt 44 about 12 years ago for elk. I am sure a lot has changed.
Don't rule out Wy you can buy points at $50 a year. They are available from July to September. Utah requires you to buy a licence but you can get by for two years worth on one license. I put in for a LE tag every year and building points. Every other year I hunt a general unit so I am using up my hunting license fees. In Utah you can apply for both LE and a general unit. They charge your CC card for tag when you draw the license.

 

[Juan_ID]

Unit 44 in Idaho is a very good hunt, one of the best in the state IMO. However, you may need to change your plan for 2014, there was a big fire blow through 44 last summer and they offered rain-checks for many people so idono that they're going to have a draw in there this year, I guess a call to the F&G would prolly get you an answer right quick. I know of many big bucks killed out of there last season...