Wyoming odds, drawing general tag with 1 point

[Ghost]

Hey guys, Im getting conflicting information, I thought that the odds of drawing a general tag with 1 point was roughly 67 percent? is that correct or am I missing something?

[Rangerz]

Sounds about right for the normal draw. My buddy and I had 1 point last year and didn't draw. It depends on how many people apply.

With 1 point you would probably be guaranteed in the Special draw. Just goes against my grain to spend that kind of money on a tag.

We have 2 points this year and are still deciding what we are going to do.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[Ghost]

Yeah, I wont spend that kind of money either on a tag totally rubs me the wrong way. I have a back up plan if we dont draw, crossing my fingers.

[Wyo67]

Ghost,
For the regular draw you are correct. Drawing odds for 2014 were:
Regular Draw
19.6% - Random draw.
66.6% - Success with 1 preference point.
100% - Success with 2 preference points.

If you want to pony up the cash for the special drawing:
Special Draw
98.7% - Random draw.
64.1% - Success with 0 preference points.
100% - Success with 1 preference point.

Good luck...
Mike

[LckyTylr]

With my family situation last year (one 2-year old and one 4-month old), my Wife gave me a Window of Opportunity to hunt out of State, last year or nothing until the kids get older. Wyoming was my state of choice. Not having any points, I opted to pay the extra price for the Special Draw. It worked out for me, I obviously drew . . . and came home with my first bull during the archery season.

All depends on your "window of opportunity", your priorities and how deep your pockets are.

[Indian Summer]

My wife wants me to go elk hunting every year. She loves elk meat. She says... "you better get one we're running low"

But I still look at it as if I have a window of opportunity. Life is a window of opportunity. I suggest telling wives that and see what they say. I figure my window is from now until I'm about 70.... if I'm lucky. After that I can hunt deer or whatever else. But in the meantime I'll spend a grand to do hunt the one animal I prefer to hunt in a place I may not be able to see for the rest of my life.

[LckyTylr]

IS, well said, we have but one life to live and only a portion of that will we have the physical ability, time and resources to call ourselves elk hunters.

[Toby]

My wife wants me to go elk hunting every year. She loves elk meat. She says... "you better get one we're running low"

But I still look at it as if I have a window of opportunity. Life is a window of opportunity. I suggest telling wives that and see what they say. I figure my window is from now until I'm about 70.... if I'm lucky. After that I can hunt deer or whatever else. But in the meantime I'll spend a grand to do hunt the one animal I prefer to hunt in a place I may not be able to see for the rest of my life.

IS, I like your way of thinking.
Toby

[Wyo67]

Wyoming sets aside 40% of the non-resident licenses to those who are willing to pay the higher fee (an extra $480) and enter the "Special" drawing. That's the difference between the regular and special.

By doing some research and reviewing the Big Game Application Information booklet on the Wyoming G&F website you can determine how best to apply, draw, and still keep your points. The key to remember is you only use/lose your preference points if you draw your FIRST choice on your application. It all depends on the number of licenses available and applicants. For the both the regular and special drawings, 75% of the available non-resident tags to into the preference point draw. The remaining 25% goes into the random draw, so there will always be a chance for you to draw no matter how many preference points you have.
- In 2014, there were 1545 available Special General tags. 1159 went into the Special Preference Point draw and 386 went to the Special Random draw.


So far as general areas that hold huntable elk? Short answer is yes. We have an enjoyable (successful more often than not) hunts in general areas almost every year. But again, you have to put in the time to do the research and find areas that hold elk and get away from other hunters. Residents can buy general tags OTC, so those areas tend to get more pressure.