What tags should I be applying for?

[Bowhunter'07]

I'm 16 years old and live in Michigan, so I've only hunted small whitetails, but would like to start applying for an elk or sheep tag that is hard to get and would take around 10 years to get. Anybody have any suggestions? I don't really even know wht species I want to go for, but thinking probably elk or sheep.

 

[Jt13]

I'm 16 years old and live in Michigan, so I've only hunted small whitetails, but would like to start applying for an elk or sheep tag that is hard to get and would take around 10 years to get. Anybody have any suggestions? I don't really even know wht species I want to go for, but thinking probably elk or sheep.

For elk there's plenty of places you can accumulate points. Depends on how much money you, or your parents, want to invest. Some states make you buy a non-refundable license, some make you remit the whole license fee, and prices for those things vary wildly. Wyoming and Colorado are probably good places to start.

Unfortunately there's probably no sheep tags you'll draw in 10 years, or likely even 20-30 years, using preference points and starting out at the bottom now. New Mexico and Idaho don't have preference points so the drawings are random chance, likely your best bet.

Keep in mind the tags that take 10 points to get now will likely take much more than that in the future due to point creep. The tags that 10 points will get you in a decade will take 2-3 points now.

Good luck

 

[wnelson14]

I would say save $2-3k/ year for ten years and go on a private landowner hunt for elk.
The sheep deal was mentioned above. While saving yearly you can go OTC for elk, deer, & bear and get reps in.

 

[realunlucky]

Points can be expensive so you'll need to research and get the most return for money.

I think over the next decade opportunities will continue to shrink, I'd look at states that draw high numbers of non resident elk tags so even if that's reduced you'll find opportunities to use them.

I wouldn't wait, obviously at 16 maybe an out of state is beyond reach right now but start trying to get tags as soon as possible. Right now is currently going to be the best hunting and no one can predict the future.

Getting a sheep means getting lucky starting now you simply can't acquire enough points in a lifetime to guarantee one. Of course if you don't apply you'll never even have that small chance.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[cnelk]

Since you’re only 16, start making plans to move to a state that has better hunting. Tags will be much easier to get.

 

[kherbstreit1775]

I'm also from Michigan and just starting out on acquiring points, all though a little older than you, so good for you for getting started this early! For Elk and Mule deer I'm generally focusing on building points in Colorado, Montana, and possibly going to add Utah. For sheep, as mentioned above, it's almost impossible to catch up on points now so I'm probably just going to focus on states with a lottery draw for them. In the meantime I'm just going to try to hunt over the counter as much as possible in places like Idaho and Colorado because the important thing is just to get out there and hunt! And don't feel like you need to save up points for an absolute trophy unit right away, maybe pick one state to do that in, but pick another state to just try to get generally good units and get good experience

 

[Gutshotem]

I wouldn't bother trying to build points for sheep. If you're serious about trying to hunt them, start an investment fund and put a little aside every month. If your plans change in the future, at least you'll have funds to do with what you wish. A stack of useless points won't do you any good.

 

[littlerhorner]

I would pick one state or maybe two and start getting points for elk. Remember that depending on the state you will loose your points if you don't purchase an additional point for a year or two.

I feel like sheep is a lost cause. Take the money you would have put to sheep and put it in a an S&P etf. It will probably ly do you more good in the long run there.

If you have someone to go with, look at youth tags while you still can. If you feel your at a point that would work.

Depending on what your plans are after school. Think about getting on with a FS fire engine crew and get paid to see some elk country first hand while you are young.

Good luck.