What is your backup plan if you don't draw?

[jwatts]

It is that time of year. Draw results are starting to come out, and will be rolling out for the next few months. What are your plans if you don't draw the tag you applied for? Do you plan to go for the same species OTC? Maybe apply for the same species in another state with a later draw or for another species with a later draw?

A group of us are applying for WY antelope this year. It will be our first trip for antelope. If the past few years of draw stats hold true we will draw a public land tag. We are planning to put some limited public access tags as second and third choice with the option of getting some leftover tags for private land if we can line up somewhere to shoot a few does.

So, what are you going to do if you don't draw?

 

[colonel00]

The only draw I'm in this year is Wyoming bison. Aside from that I have a few other OTC hunts in the works. However, should they all fall through, I would still tag along on someone else's hunt if possible just to get out and do stuff. I don't "need" to fill my freezer with meat to survive so I would have probably just as much if not more fun going along on someone else's hunt to take photos and video.

If you don't draw and don't have anyone else to tag along with, you could always just go on the trip as if you had drawn the tag and use it as a scouting and learning experience. Just leave the guns/bows at home and bring along a camera.

 

[Brock A]

I don't ever depend on the draws. I always have my OTC hunts planned and then rearrange my schedule if I am lucky enough to draw.

 

[danarnold]

The only draw I'm in this year is Wyoming bison. Aside from that I have a few other OTC hunts in the works. However, should they all fall through, I would still tag along on someone else's hunt if possible just to get out and do stuff. I don't "need" to fill my freezer with meat to survive so I would have probably just as much if not more fun going along on someone else's hunt to take photos and video.

WOW! kinda made my day right there, I've been stressed!

we didnt draw for wy elk, gonna try mt? again I think...if no luck there prob otc co, but I'm goin elk huntin even if its a tag a long, great idea

 

[jwatts]

All good ideas. I guess we are banking on the draw hunts for the next 2 years since we should draw if the draw odds from the past few years hold true. I am pretty sure if we don't draw WY elk next year we are going to apply for MT general elk/deer. It looks like we would get WY results early enough to get a MT app in.

 

[Rucker61]

I'm in Colorado, so I'll always get to bow-and rifle-hunt elk. Still trying to figure out what to apply for, though.

 

[2rocky]

If all my out of state options fell through I could do a OTC hunt for blacktail deer here in CA.

 

[KMT]

Otc.

 

[dangerousD]

Kind of the same as mentioned. I'm going to hunt no matter what so OTC is always being planned for. If I'm lucky enough to draw somewhere, then I alter my OTC plans. I'm hunting elk in Utah no matter what, but may add another OTC elk hunt somewhere else if I can squeeze it in again this year with other obligations at home.

 

[jm1607]

I'm hoping I don't draw anything this year since I already have an OTC CO elk hunt in the works with a buddy..

I guess my backups would be OTC ID Elk or Left-over AZ/NM Coues Deer Rifle..

 

[jwatts]

I am working on a list of OTC hunts I want to try out as well. These are going to be used for backup hunts in the future. Coues and Blacktail are on up there, as is black bear. The good thing is where I live archery season kicks off October 1 and rifle season doesn't end until January 31. Most of the time I can get a good western hunt in before our season gets started.

 

[gmajor]

3 of my 4 hunts are OTC. But I do want to draw...

 

[AZ Vince]

My plan is to just buy points this year as I'm headed to Newfoundland for moose season.

 

[JWP58]

Left overs. Or bird hunting.

 

[cerec_cat]

Fish

 

[TEmbry]

I am all points again this year. Can't afford to draw some of the tags I've been building points for until 2016 (starting new job without vacation built up).

This year will likely just be alaska caribou or moose for a week and POW spring black bear next spring.

 

[mtmiller]

I live in MT, I am sure I will figure something out if I don't draw anything OOS.

 

[Jon Boy]

I live in MT, I am sure I will figure something out if I don't draw anything OOS.

We have it rough miller..
The only draw I put in for is an unlimited elk tag so I know I'll draw it. Everything else is otc.

 

[5MilesBack]

My every year plan is to hunt OTC. My backup plan is IF I do draw something.

 

[dotman]

My every year plan is to hunt OTC. My backup plan is IF I do draw something.

X2....