Overpriced applications/tags. The grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence.

[Dioni A]

I've had it. Every year it feels like there's price increases coupled with reduced odds of actually getting a tag. I've been applying in up to seven different states for over a decade now. I've had some decent luck and drawn a couple tags but if you look at the total amount of dollars I put into applying it feels disproportionate to the opportunities I've gotten. The states I haven't drawn in I find myself in no man's land. There's a handful of hunts I might be able to draw. Nothing that feels worth the dollars I've spent on it. I'm throwing the towel in on at least two states this year, maybe more. I'm very fortunate to have good opportunities in my home state. And I'm convinced now that my best use of time is to spend more days on less tags. All that to say if you're reading this and you're like me a decade ago. look at the total amount of dollars it might take you to have a chance at some of these hunts and maybe consider spending those dollars on gas to learn your own areas close to home better. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

 

[steelheadmike]

I’m with ya. I guess a big factor is that we live in a state with pretty good OTC deer and elk opportunities (at least for residents).

I’ve built up some decent points in WY but I see myself cashing them in over the next 2-3 years. I’ve mostly go there for pronghorn. I didn’t even bother buying a point for elk last year.

 

[Taudisio]

I’ve hunted in 5 states. I have points in a 6th one that I do not intend to apply in again after I get drawn (this year ). Saving time and money to focus on 3 states that I feel very confident and knowledgeable about their systems and closer hunt areas going forward. With family consuming more and more time (I’m not complaining), it gets harder year after year taking 4 weeks away from them on top of the money. I’m even focusing more time on units closer to home in my own state rather than driving 8 hours to a higher density one. I suppose priorities shift as we grow older.

 

[Mike Islander]

Same realization couple years ago. Never playing the goofy preference points scheme again. For exotics, I'll hunt New Zealand. SC has lots of excellent hunting.

 

[MuleyFever]

Im rethinking the tag game as well. I am at an age that if I draw some of the tags I have double digit points in, I am unlikely to draw again while I can actually hunt, and Im not that old.

 

[MuleyFever]

Heck, I was questioning myself years ago.

Thread 'Anyone regret their point situation?'

Apr 3, 2019

Anyone regret how far down the rabbit hole they have gotten with points?

I have come to the realization that I think I would rather have not gotten to where I am but, am now in too deep to stop in a few states. I am burning 7 elk points this year on a maybe 4 point unit. Recovery from my problem is hard but its time to go hunting and not point collecting.

Maybe its because as I get older I put more value on hunting in general and less value on antlers size. I may not be the same hunter I was 10 years ago when I started putting in for western states.

• MuleyFever
• Replies: 171
• Forum: General Discussion Forum

• 

 

[WormSportsman]

I’m in the same boat as you OP. I have a few states that may not make the cut this year as odds have gotten significantly worse than when I started building points in a few of them 6-9 years ago. Pretty sad when places I have wanted to hunt for so long are getting worse odds not better after all this time.

 

[Thejet]

It’s amazing how many people will drive across the country to hunt a draw tag that’s the same or worse hunting than the OTC in their own state.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Very timely I’ve been spinning my wheels on some states, I’ve let a few go. But some I’m vested nearly a decade in but at this point doesn’t seem worth it.
Interested to hear others point of views as well

 

[willfrye027]

I’m going to play devils advocate here. As much as I want to shoot a big animal, it’s the whole adventure and experience that keeps me in the point game. I really enjoy hunting and exploring new units and states. Figuring out how to fill my fall schedule and burn points has led me on some incredible adventures and lifelong memories with friends and family. As opportunity hunts continue to shrink and go away…I do like the option of having points in different places so that I don’t miss out on a hunting season due to lack of a tag.

If I lived in a good deer hunting state like Dioni…this would be a different story most likely.

But damn it is getting freaking expensive to keep up with the point racket across the west.

 

[Ajsomp]

I forked over $1400 for Montana this year. Was fortunate to draw the big game combo. I unfortunately don’t get any resident tags because I don’t stay anywhere long enough or get stationed in any of the big states (thanks Uncle Sam). At this point for me it’s pay to play until I retire. And even then, who knows.

I still hunt white tail, birds, bears etc. wherever I can. But if I want to hunt elk, mule deer or antelope, I’m not going to get around it.

I remember hunting Idaho as a non-resident without a draw, a ridiculous online tag system, and prices that were much cheaper. This is the first year I won’t hunt Idaho.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I'm in your shoes. I am now putting in for out of state tags in 1 (CO). I OTC hunt in MO and/or WI every year. Been putting in here in my home state for 20-25 years and still have not drawn anything with horns. A couple of cow tags and that's it.

 

[HighUintas]

I moved to Utah in 2016 and finally convinced myself to start hunting out here in 2019 instead of just traveling back to the Midwest to hunt the family farm every November.

From the get go, after researching how the tags work out west and seeing that tags were getting pricier and harder to draw, I decided I wasn't going to hunt any Western states or even apply regularly as a non resident. All my hunting would be Utah focused and I'd learn those areas better and enjoy it more.

I was correct. I've learned the areas I hunt very well, it's very rewarding, and there's always new places to check out in Utah if I feel the need. I've saved a lot of money not applying in other states. Now, it's incredible how much it would cost to apply to several states every year.

After I move this summer, I will likely hunt Utah elk general season as a NR as long as I can. The area I hunt has become one of my favorite places. I'll continue hunting my home state on the family farm every couple of years as long as I can get the tags.

But, I won't be playing the point game as a NR at all. I don't think. I really want to eventually draw a high Uintas mountain goat tag, but I'm only 6 points in and I'm probably looking at drawing at the age of 85 as a NR the way point creep is going.

 

[MuleyFever]

I really want to eventually draw a high Uintas mountain goat tag, but I'm only 6 points in and I'm probably looking at drawing at the age of 85 as a NR the way point creep is going.

I've told my wife as soon as I draw a Mt goat tag we can move. I hunt out of state more than in UT anyway.

 

[Matt5266]

Ya ill be rolling the dice with my WY points sooner than I planned....

 

[Renegade14]

I feel the same way. Currently evaluating what states I want to keep putting in for, and what ones I need to burn points in and get out of the game. Might be time to say goodbye to some places I've enjoyed hunting over the years. Gonna have to start catching more fish, that's a bit cheaper in every state.

 

[HighUintas]

I've told my wife as soon as I draw a Mt goat tag we can move. I hunt out of state more than in UT anyway.

Haha if I told my wife that I think she would stab me. I could stay in Utah awhile longer if needed, maybe not long enough to draw that tag. Even as a resident I think it's like 15-20 points to draw that tag. I hope you get yours soon! How many points do you have?

 

[Dioni A]

I’m going to play devils advocate here. As much as I want to shoot a big animal, it’s the whole adventure and experience that keeps me in the point game. I really enjoy hunting and exploring new units and states. Figuring out how to fill my fall schedule and burn points has led me on some incredible adventures and lifelong memories with friends and family. As opportunity hunts continue to shrink and go away…I do like the option of having points in different places so that I don’t miss out on a hunting season due to lack of a tag.

If I lived in a good deer hunting state like Dioni…this would be a different story most likely.

But damn it is getting freaking expensive to keep up with the point racket across the west.

I'll still go have adventures. I'm just done stacking up points. I'll use my points for a hunt that will take way less than what i have. After that I won't build them I'll just hunt 0 point hunts or build up a couple and stop until I'm ready to go again. I'm entirely done with Nevada though. A guy has to wait a decade to still have crap odds on a hunt that's no better than what you could get in a different state with low or no points.

 

[MuleyFever]

Haha if I told my wife that I think she would stab me. I could stay in Utah awhile longer if needed, maybe not long enough to draw that tag. Even as a resident I think it's like 15-20 points to draw that tag. I hope you get yours soon! How many points do you have?

I think this year is 17.

 

[ianpadron]

I'm going to cash in my WY points and then only hunt MT until the kids are grown.

I'd rather kill a big buck close to home and then help my buddies out and stack whitey does rest of the season, tbh

I do think we are experiencing the peak in popularity of DIY Western hunting, and it'll settle down in the future. Social media convinced a lotta guys it was easy, which it of course is far from...and not many fellas have the fortitude to fork over big money multiple times to get worked over in the mountains.

Id love to hunt some of WA state's mid tier quality units, but its 100 bucks per species and you have to buy a non-refundable elk and deer license to play....absolutely stupid, I refuse to support that kind of racket