Out of state tags. How many do you apply for?

[cmeier117]

Next year I am going to start applying for preference points for out of state tags. I really would like to do a Big horn Sheep & Mountain Goat hunt before I die ( I am only 25 so I have a few years) and honestly I won't have the money for a hunt like that for 5+ years so no rush on those. I also don't want to pay 15K for a BC or Alaska hunt, I would rather draw a tag and hunt myself and do it cheaper etc... I also would like to get some points for Elk and maybe a Mule deer in the surrounding states. I live in Oregon so Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana etc.... Just curious how many different states and species people apply for and how much money it costs you if you don't draw a tag? I know each state is different but just curious how much coin it costs and what are good hunts/species to apply for. Again I would love a sheep and Mountain goat hunt at some point in my life. Oregon is a random once in a lifetime hunt so that is a hit or miss if I will ever get it. Although a guy I know at the local sportsmans got his sheep tag this year and he is only 26 so it is possible.

 

[Brock A]

I live in WA and buy points for CO (deer), WY(deer & elk) & AZ(Deer, Elk, Antelope & Sheep) each year. CO I am fronting the cash for the tag but get it refunded minus a few bucks, AZ I buy a license for about $150(ish?) and then buy points at like $7 each for each specie. WY is $40 for deer and $50 for elk for the point out right. I also hunt ID OTC each year for Mule Deer. I put in for controlled hunts there each year for about $15. All this is NOT including the amount I pay to put in for points & hunt WA as a resident which ends up being roughly $450.

 

[tstowater]

All application strategies are based on: what you want to hunt, where you want to hunt, when you want to hunt and how much money are you willing and able to commit to the process. I would suggest sending Umpqua Hunter a PM and pick his brain. He probably has as much experience in the process as anyone.

Once you have created your strategy (might want to use some outside resources such as Huntin Fool and/or Eastmans as example to get things rolling), you need to create a system to track your applications. Several methods have been discussed before, but figure out something that works for you.

As sheep are a priority species for me, I apply in Mt, Wy, Co, Az, Nv, Ut and Or every year. NM and ID are swing states and CA is out for me based on their present draw system. Many of the states have varying bonus and/or preference point systems that might work for or against you, or, like ID and NM, no bonus or preference point system at all (random draw where everyones chances are equally bad). Some states require you to from money and others will only require tag costs if drawn. The application process and some states can be pricey. Ex. Bonus points in Wyoming is: Sheep $100, Moose $75, Elk $50, deer $40, antelope $30 for a total of about $300. Most states are going to be at least $150 and a fair number north of $200 to apply (hard costs that you don't get back). Montana, so far, is about as reasonable to apply and build points as anyone.

I will defer to some of the others on more specifics.

 

[HUNT]

I applied in 9 states this year besides my home state of Washington. Total cost for me after any refunds for not drawing was about $1500. I do have a lifetime hunting license in Idaho so that saves me about $150 a year there. I'll try to break it down by state to give you an estimate of cost.

Arizona - License $151.25 plus 4 species $30.00
Wyoming - Points for 5 species $295.00
New Mexico - 3 Species $60 (No points state) Hunting license refunded if dont draw
Idaho - 1 species $14.75 (Plus hunting license of about $150)
Utah - 6 apps $80 plus $65 hunting license
Colorado - 3 species $94
Montana - OIL species only plus Antelope $120 (includes credit card surcharge)
Nevada - Hunting license $142 plus 5 apps $84.50
Oregon - Hunting License $140.50 plus 4 species app fees $34

Plus I spend about $150 a year on various state raffle tickets.

 

[sk1]

i really need to sit down and look at this stuff soon and come up with a long term plan/strategy

the only thing i have going for me right now is points in my resident state of utah for elk/moose and points in wyoming for elk/deer/antelope

 

[TXCO]

The Cabelas program fronts the cash and you pay a fee. So if you cant get a couple grand together to give a state agency a short term loan, thats an option.

New Mexico has no points by the way.

Im just working on 4 states at the moment. I budget about $1000/year to it.

 

[sab]

Utah - $65 hunting license

Utah is one of the states in which I buy points, too. Did you know that you only have to buy a license every other year if you time it right? The licenses are valid for one year, from the date of purchase. You buy this year a week after the initial submittal date, then next year, you submit on the first day, and your license is still valid for another week, so you don't have to buy a new license. You just repeat this process on two year intervals.

 

[HUNT]

Utah is one of the states in which I buy points, too. Did you know that you only have to buy a license every other year if you time it right? The licenses are valid for one year, from the date of purchase. You buy this year a week after the initial submittal date, then next year, you submit on the first day, and your license is still valid for another week, so you don't have to buy a new license. You just repeat this process on two year intervals.

Thats a good point I forgot to mention. Thats exactly what I do.