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

[MuleyFever]

It’s a lottery ticket to hunt, why is that insane?

Our group has drawn a >5% tag twice.

Any strategy that involves hopefully winning the lottery is a little insane.

 

[BuckSmasher]

It’s a lottery ticket to hunt, why is that insane?

Our group has drawn a >5% tag twice.

My odds of drawing the tag in my lifetime are in the single digits, assuming it doesn't get harder to draw.

I hear ya. People win the Powerball also.

 

[SandyCreek]

I think when I draw another Nevada deer tag I’m out for good. I’ll maybe buy an LO tag some day but the number of tags they give out vs the guys applying doesn’t math out.

 

[CorbLand]

Any strategy that involves hopefully winning the lottery is a little insane.

Eh, not really. It’s all just a risk and we take many risks everyday. Many of those risks far higher and far more detrimental to you and your family than a couple hundred bucks a year to potentially do a hobby.

In my opinion, the mentality that one should get a tag because they manage to breathe long enough to be owed one is one of the worst mentalities to infiltrate hunting. There should be not guarantee you get a tag. No guarantee of killing an animal. Just like everything else in life.

It’s all just risk. You get to choose the risk you want to take but the only thing you can count on is that you will not live forever.

 

[alecvg]

It’s a lottery ticket to hunt, why is that insane?

Our group has drawn a >5% tag twice.

100%

I drew a goat tag and deer tag last year, each with sub 2% odds. Elk tag the year before with single digit odds. Always a chance.

Many of the people I find that think they are owed a tag only apply for the top units.

That being said, I apply in a lot of other states, there are a handful that I don’t feel the juice is worth the squeeze. I focus my planned hunts to be hunting the same areas as much as possible, and always throw out a few where I am swinging for the fence. Right now I apply in Arizona for top mule deer tags while building points, it land on ultimately just cashing them in on a decent cous hunt.

 

[David Gough]

I just spent $500 on my resident Nevada applications.

1. Did not include my annual hunting/fishing license.
2. Included an OTC mountain lion tag (our only OTC tag)
3. Included a $15 donation to youth license fund.

I apply for everything imaginable (except for bighorn ewe, I buy a point for that) and will happily continue. I've only been skunked once in thirteen years. Also apply/hunt in a variety of states. I don't add up the total because I'd rather not know.

I'll find a reason or another to burn points in Wyoming and Colorado. I travel to Idaho at least once a year (leaving for bear tomorrow). California I hunt waterfowl in and hunt bears majority of the years. Apply in Alaska as it's such a special place. I don't foresee adding any more states to my application list and don't plan to drop any either.

 

[MuleyFever]

Eh, not really. It’s all just a risk and we take many risks everyday. Many of those risks far higher and far more detrimental to you and your family than a couple hundred bucks a year to potentially do a hobby.

In my opinion, the mentality that one should get a tag because they manage to breathe long enough to be owed one is one of the worst mentalities to infiltrate hunting. There should be not guarantee you get a tag. No guarantee of killing an animal. Just like everything else in life.

It’s all just risk. You get to choose the risk you want to take but the only thing you can count on is that you will not live forever.

I don't see any risk in applying for tags.

 

[CorbLand]

I don't see any risk in applying for tags.

You risk paying for something each year that you may or may not see a return for.

 

[BuckSmasher]

I just spent $500 on my resident Nevada applications.

1. Did not include my annual hunting/fishing license.
2. Included an OTC mountain lion tag (our only OTC tag)
3. Included a $15 donation to youth license fund.

I apply for everything imaginable (except for bighorn ewe, I buy a point for that) and will happily continue. I've only been skunked once in thirteen years. Also apply/hunt in a variety of states. I don't add up the total because I'd rather not know.

I'll find a reason or another to burn points in Wyoming and Colorado. I travel to Idaho at least once a year (leaving for bear tomorrow). California I hunt waterfowl in and hunt bears majority of the years. Apply in Alaska as it's such a special place. I don't foresee adding any more states to my application list and don't plan to drop any either.

$500 in RESIDENT applications? Geez...

 

[David Gough]

$500 in RESIDENT applications? Geez...

Yes, I thought it was high too. Guess the prices went up. That includes all species I'm eligible to apply for an all of the PIW and Silver State tags. Adds up quick.

 

[TreeDux]

$500 in RESIDENT applications? Geez...

That’s NOT including an annual hunting license. I always wanted to hunt Nevada-still do, but when I started evaluating states that were worth it (for me) to spend time and money for applications, Nevada was the first to drop from the list.

 

[David Gough]

That’s NOT including an annual hunting license. I always wanted to hunt Nevada-still do, but when I started evaluating states that were worth it (for me) to spend time and money for applications, Nevada was the first to drop from the list.

but I got my $25 lion tag

 

[BuckSmasher]

but I got my $25 lion tag

Well at least there is that!

Please shoot one or ten of our lions while you are up here. The wolves get everyones attention but it the stinking lions that are worse for deer and elk up here.

 

[David Gough]

Well at least there is that!

Please shoot one or ten of our lions while you are up here. The wolves get everyones attention but it the stinking lions that are worse for deer and elk up here.

I'll do my best. Will be in southern Idaho though.

 

[MuleyFever]

You risk paying for something each year that you may or may not see a return for.

That's not a risk to me. It's an expectation.

 

[CorbLand]

That's not a risk to me. It's an expectation.

What do you mean by “an expectation?”

An expectation to just apply or an expectation that if you do it, you are owed a tag?

 

[wapitibob]

You risk paying for something each year that you may or may not see a return for.

Not if you know what you're doing. That does come with caveats; not every state will have species that will be drawable. You have to do the work. And, you may (likely will) have to make some sacrifices; that may mean Cow Elk in UT, AZ, and WY if starting today. Pronghorn in AZ is probably not going to happen, same for Sheep/Moose in WY.

 

[S.Clancy]

This is how I know the economy is slowly getting worse and worse. 4 years ago everybody was applying for everything with no cares with stimulus, PP $$$, etc.

 

[Maverick1]

The problem is that more people are hunting, and more people want to hunt more than just a whitetail deer. Game departments have an increasing problem of a limited number of animals and an almost unlimited demand to hunt them. The more exotic species in the Western states are being overwhelmed with non-resident hunters. One way that these game departments are mitigating this problem is by raising the costs and especially for the non-residents. I don't see hunting opportunities getting any better.

Well said. One correction, though: "One way that these game departments are exploiting this problem to make millions of dollars is by raising the costs and especially for the non-residents."

 

[Maverick1]

Not if you know what you're doing.

Stop it with that common sense talk!!!