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Budgeting for big game tags/point

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Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Navesgane » 02 16, 2018 •  [Post 1]

How much do you folks spend each year applying for tags and buying points? Is there tags/points that have better ROI and odds than others? All this applying is starting to add up!
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Indian Summer » 02 16, 2018 •  [Post 2]

Every year I apply for a Wyoming license. Regular draw if I can, Special if I have to. I have also been buying Colorado deer points. Thats it. In the past I’ve bought points in other states.... Utah and Arizona. But I quickly realized the tags I wanted were like hitting the Powerball so I balied out. Besides I’m just not into hunting a spot once and done. If I waited 8 to 15 years to hunt a spot and didn’t kill the bull of my dreams Id be in a bad mood for 8 to 15 years. :lol:
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Old school » 02 16, 2018 •  [Post 3]

I hunt OTC every year but am building points in 3 states. I’ve got to limit it or it could get way out of hand.
Wyoming elk, deer and antelope
Colorado elk, deer and bear
Arizona elk.

-Mitch
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby saddlesore » 02 16, 2018 •  [Post 4]

It just got cheaper in CO. You don't pay up front when you apply. If you don't draw, you only pay the $3 application fee on your credit card. One exception is if you don't meet the requirements for past licenses, the preference point fee I is charged.

I don't hunt out state. My tag fees if I draw are about a $100 total.
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Swede » 02 16, 2018 •  [Post 5]

I put in for Oregon deer and elk. Total $16 per year.
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Lefty » 02 16, 2018 •  [Post 6]

I suspect Ill start back up on wyoming points for antelope
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Indian Summer » 02 16, 2018 •  [Post 7]

I’ve been paying for Wyoming mountain goat points for 15 years but I have zero points. Why is that? ;)
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Navesgane » 02 16, 2018 •  [Post 8]

Indian Summer wrote:I’ve been paying for Wyoming mountain goat points for 15 years but I have zero points. Why is that? ;)


Hopefully that you'll be hunting a goat this year!
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Elkhntr08 » 02 17, 2018 •  [Post 9]

Started last year buying elk and moose points in Wyoming. Dropping out of the moose because at 56, I’ll never have enough points to get the tag I want. I’ll put in as random and hope for the best.
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Joe Schmo » 02 17, 2018 •  [Post 10]

Swede wrote:I put in for Oregon deer and elk. Total $16 per year.

You can’t say that...it’s more like $190 per year, gotta count the cost of a license.

I do OR as a NR for every category...about $220/yr, it’s a waste. I have 16 600 series (antlerless deer points:/
WA is also a waste but I’m a resident so...

Anywho...I think WY and CO are worth it...OTC in ID when all else fails.
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Swede » 02 17, 2018 •  [Post 11]

Joe Schmo wrote:You can’t say that...it’s more like $190 per year, gotta count the cost of a license.I do OR as a NR for every category...about $220/yr, it’s a waste. I have 16 600 series (antlerless deer points:/WA is also a waste but I’m a resident so...


Joe, I agree. I guess I count the $16 as an additional cost because I plan to hunt Oregon anyway, but buying an out of State license to get a chance is a poor bargain. Where I hunted in Idaho, with RJ and company the unit has a 10% success rate. I would guess a 10% success in Oregon is as good as a 10% unit in Idaho. Since you already have purchased the license, I would go ahead and hunt Oregon.
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby otcWill » 02 18, 2018 •  [Post 12]

For less than $500 you can apply for 30+ tags across the country. Save a little each month
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Joe Schmo » 02 18, 2018 •  [Post 13]

Someday I’ll hunt OR...when I don’t have a draw tag to hunt...and they ban me from hunting Idaho!!! :)

Seriously... 6 elk points, 8 deer points, 13 pronghorn points, 16 antlerless points...someday I’ll hunt it. At least I get to put in for sheep, goat and premium tags every year...
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Indian Summer » 02 18, 2018 •  [Post 14]

Navesgane wrote:
Indian Summer wrote:I’ve been paying for Wyoming mountain goat points for 15 years but I have zero points. Why is that? ;)


Hopefully that you'll be hunting a goat this year!


Kidding.... there is no preference point system for goats in Wyoming. Everyone has an equal chance every year. Pretty cool if you ask me.
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby Navesgane » 02 18, 2018 •  [Post 15]

Indian Summer wrote:
Navesgane wrote:
Indian Summer wrote:I’ve been paying for Wyoming mountain goat points for 15 years but I have zero points. Why is that? ;)


Hopefully that you'll be hunting a goat this year!


Kidding.... there is no preference point system for goats in Wyoming. Everyone has an equal chance every year. Pretty cool if you ask me.


Yeah that is! Guess they make up for it on moose and sheep points??
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby ishy » 02 21, 2018 •  [Post 16]

On my budget I really have no business playing, but have a bunch of points for Utah and I am obligated and currently donating plasma to be able to make it happen. One thing about Utah I'm not sure many know is there hunting license you need to apply is good for 365 not a calendar year. So if you apply on Feb 28th first year, then anytime before the 28th the following year you don't have to purchase another license. Cuts the application fee in half.
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Re: Budgeting for big game tags/point

Postby elkstalker » 02 22, 2018 •  [Post 17]

When we moved from Idaho to Montana I bought the Idaho lifetime license that automatically gives me a non-res license every year, and I get lumped with the residents pool for draws. Apps in Idaho will run me 30-60, if I draw a tag is 300 for deer and 415 for elk. In Montana the application fee is about 30 or 40 for deer, elk and antelope, and my sportsmans license will come out to about 100.
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