An important point (pardon the pun) to remember in Wyoming is that you can apply for a Unit that has a very low probability of drawing with zero points in order to be able to buy a point. In other words, simply because you did not draw your first pick you're entitled to purchase a point. The great part is your second and third choices can be areas that you are almost guaranteed a tag. So, you get a point for next year and, you still get to hunt! I don't think any other states allow that. (Actually Colo does as well.) All the states where I put in, you either draw and don't get a point, or you don't draw, and get the option to buy a point.
So if I want to build up preference points but also be guaranteed a hunt this year (for antelope), should I make my first choice a really high demand unit and the 2nd and 3rd choices high-draw-probability units? I’ve got no preference points right now, but I’d like to go out before my 18th birthday in the fall to take advantage of the junior discount
Randy, it would be great to see you take a senior who has to do a health challenge and possibly a shooting challenge as well. Your subscribers could have a video test entered to win a hunt with you -i think it would make a great show!
thanks randy, but when I bought my left over elk tag I thought there was enough leftovers to mention. I very well could be wrong since this is my first time.
Hey randy I’m 16 and I heard on your podcast about buying points as a kid while it’s still cheap so I bought a antelope, deer and elk points and I’m hoping to go out there in the next couple of years
Cool this is Randy explaining the WY draw before GoHunt got big. I see that the way that WY does the draw hasn't changed in 4 years, and that they have 3 separate application deadlines. Oh how I would love to do a WY pronghorn hunt in the next couple years. Thankfully that deadline isn't for another month and a half.
Love your hunting videos Randy. I drew an antelope tag in unit 52-1 this year. Any experience there? I know it's loaded with speed goats as I have hunted there for elk and deer previously.
One thing you didn't touch on, was your hunt choice (1st, 2nd, etc.) effects how you get drawn. If I select a very hard unit as a first choice, then general for my second choice, are my odds reduced for drawing that general tag?
+neffa3 , If you apply for a hard unit as first choice, then your only hope of drawing a general tag is the "random draw" that happens after the "preference point draw." Every person who puts into the draw first is put in the preference point draw. If you don't have enough points, your odds in that part of the draw are zero. You then go to the random draw, where you have some chance, usually not a great chance, but at least some chance.
Been watching your videos on RUclips quite a bit in the past few days. Love your show and you bring a lot of info to the show for DIY hunters. I am trying to plan a hunt to Wyoming for next year and plan on buying a point for better odds next year. You talked about General Tags which is what I am interested in, where do I go to find all the information on those tags? Thanks, Great Show!
+Chad Purcell - We are doing the state-by-state drawings in this playlist. The final video, probably released in early April, will cover general and OTC tags. ruclips.net/p/PLLdxutimd-JucEFczP4LgCS75Lt7caIMm
Draw odds are not better in the special draw anymore. Sometimes it is even higher than the regular draw because people think it will be better odds....
Pulled my mountain goat tag for Wyoming. Getting an outfitter since it is a once in a lifetime tag. John Porter a world class guide for bighorns is taking me. Should be great hunt. Public land but it's wicked territory.
You get it all refunded, other than the application fee, which I think is around $15. If you want to acquire a point for the following year, that costs $50 for elk, $40 for deer, and $30 for antelope.
Wyoming is attractive, but I lost all points! I had many points for elk chasing point creep for a certain area. Broke my back and missed a year so they cancelled all of my points. No exceptions!
How much of of my hunting access is limited when wilderness areas are off limits to nonresidents unless you have a guide/resident hunter with you? Put another way, if I look at a map of the game units, is there a quick way to tell which units I can actually hunt solo?
Not a lot of the state. Go to the Wyoming Game and Fish website and click on the "Hunt Planner." That shows the ownership of each unit, including where the Wilderness Areas exist.
I swear these State agencies come up with the most convoluted systems and rules. WY caters to wealthy with the Special draw and to guides/outfitters with their BS wilderness rule. All these Western States should get together, come up with the same rules and use the same web, application/drawing system...would surely save a lot of $$ that they are always crying about having a lack of.
I believe that every state's wilderness areas should be set aside for residents. These are the hunters that live there year-around, pay the taxes and contribute to the state all year. Most of the guys that I have encountered in wilderness areas that come from other states, do not have the knowledge and skills to be in a wilderness area and should have someone with them. There are plenty of areas in each state that have good hunting where non-residents can hunt. There has to be some favoritism towards the residents that call their state home and are proud to live there and they should have the most opportunity before non-residents, in my opinion.-Steve from Oregon
Thanks Randy, I'm a older guy getting back into hunting.I really enjoy the hunts you film, feel like I'm right there with you. Happy Hunting!
Well done. Enough information to get a new Wyoming hunter started.
That answered my questions regarding the different types of draws in Wyoming! Thanks Randy.
Good info. I have never hunted Wyoming but plan to do so as my retirement approaches.
An important point (pardon the pun) to remember in Wyoming is that you can apply for a Unit that has a very low probability of drawing with zero points in order to be able to buy a point. In other words, simply because you did not draw your first pick you're entitled to purchase a point. The great part is your second and third choices can be areas that you are almost guaranteed a tag. So, you get a point for next year and, you still get to hunt! I don't think any other states allow that. (Actually Colo does as well.) All the states where I put in, you either draw and don't get a point, or you don't draw, and get the option to buy a point.
So if I want to build up preference points but also be guaranteed a hunt this year (for antelope), should I make my first choice a really high demand unit and the 2nd and 3rd choices high-draw-probability units? I’ve got no preference points right now, but I’d like to go out before my 18th birthday in the fall to take advantage of the junior discount
Thank You, Randy
Thanks Randy! This really cleared things up for me. Hopefully, I will make it out there in '18
Randy, it would be great to see you take a senior who has to do a health challenge and possibly a shooting challenge as well. Your subscribers could have a video test entered to win a hunt with you -i think it would make a great show!
thanks randy, but when I bought my left over elk tag I thought there was enough leftovers to mention. I very well could be wrong since this is my first time.
Great video Randy!Lots of good info here. I have to admit I watched it several times!
Hey randy I’m 16 and I heard on your podcast about buying points as a kid while it’s still cheap so I bought a antelope, deer and elk points and I’m hoping to go out there in the next couple of years
Arizona is the cheapest option for youth hunters. Good luck.
Cool this is Randy explaining the WY draw before GoHunt got big. I see that the way that WY does the draw hasn't changed in 4 years, and that they have 3 separate application deadlines. Oh how I would love to do a WY pronghorn hunt in the next couple years. Thankfully that deadline isn't for another month and a half.
Love your hunting videos Randy. I drew an antelope tag in unit 52-1 this year. Any experience there? I know it's loaded with speed goats as I have hunted there for elk and deer previously.
One thing you didn't touch on, was your hunt choice (1st, 2nd, etc.) effects how you get drawn. If I select a very hard unit as a first choice, then general for my second choice, are my odds reduced for drawing that general tag?
+neffa3 , If you apply for a hard unit as first choice, then your only hope of drawing a general tag is the "random draw" that happens after the "preference point draw." Every person who puts into the draw first is put in the preference point draw. If you don't have enough points, your odds in that part of the draw are zero. You then go to the random draw, where you have some chance, usually not a great chance, but at least some chance.
Been watching your videos on RUclips quite a bit in the past few days. Love your show and you bring a lot of info to the show for DIY hunters. I am trying to plan a hunt to Wyoming for next year and plan on buying a point for better odds next year. You talked about General Tags which is what I am interested in, where do I go to find all the information on those tags? Thanks, Great Show!
+Chad Purcell - We are doing the state-by-state drawings in this playlist. The final video, probably released in early April, will cover general and OTC tags. ruclips.net/p/PLLdxutimd-JucEFczP4LgCS75Lt7caIMm
Draw odds are not better in the special draw anymore. Sometimes it is even higher than the regular draw because people think it will be better odds....
Pulled my mountain goat tag for Wyoming. Getting an outfitter since it is a once in a lifetime tag. John Porter a world class guide for bighorns is taking me. Should be great hunt. Public land but it's wicked territory.
Congrats. Good luck.
you forgot about leftover tags and half price tags. love your shows and website.
+Warren Lacour, We covered those in this video - ruclips.net/video/HAJOOU4PQr4/видео.html
So if you apply and don't get drawn in neither the preference or random draw do you get a refund or you just lose your money?
You get it all refunded, other than the application fee, which I think is around $15. If you want to acquire a point for the following year, that costs $50 for elk, $40 for deer, and $30 for antelope.
What about bow hunting draws for residents
Wyoming is attractive, but I lost all points!
I had many points for elk chasing point creep for a certain area.
Broke my back and missed a year so they cancelled all of my points.
No exceptions!
have 7 pp for wy elk thinking unit 108 any help
I've never hunted it. Wish I could be of help. Good luck on the hunt.
How much of of my hunting access is limited when wilderness areas are off limits to nonresidents unless you have a guide/resident hunter with you? Put another way, if I look at a map of the game units, is there a quick way to tell which units I can actually hunt solo?
Not a lot of the state. Go to the Wyoming Game and Fish website and click on the "Hunt Planner." That shows the ownership of each unit, including where the Wilderness Areas exist.
Stop it Randy, your killing me!
Not sure how you keep this all straight.
Is the general tag good for multiple zones?
Yes. The WY website will show what units are included in the GEN tag areas.
So if you don’t draw your out all the money you put in?
Is this still valid information.
Wait....you don't even have to be in the draw to buy a point?
No
I swear these State agencies come up with the most convoluted systems and rules. WY caters to wealthy with the Special draw and to guides/outfitters with their BS wilderness rule. All these Western States should get together, come up with the same rules and use the same web, application/drawing system...would surely save a lot of $$ that they are always crying about having a lack of.
Whoa. So this is what Randy's hairline looks like. I thought he baked into all his contracts that he had to wear a hat!
😋
I believe that every state's wilderness areas should be set aside for residents. These are the hunters that live there year-around, pay the taxes and contribute to the state all year. Most of the guys that I have encountered in wilderness areas that come from other states, do not have the knowledge and skills to be in a wilderness area and should have someone with them. There are plenty of areas in each state that have good hunting where non-residents can hunt. There has to be some favoritism towards the residents that call their state home and are proud to live there and they should have the most opportunity before non-residents, in my opinion.-Steve from Oregon