HOW THE DRAWINGS WORK
• Under a Modified Preference Point System drawing, tag
quotas for each hunt are split into two portions: one
portion awarded by preference point drawings; the
other portion awarded in Draw-By-Choice drawings.
Quota splits vary, depending on the species, total
number of available tags, and other special criteria (such
as those for Apprentice Hunts, elk, antelope and Bighorn
sheep).
• The CDFW may run the drawing within 10 business days
of the application deadline.
• After the application deadline, when all applicant
information has been verified, the computer assigns
each person (or party) a unique random number.
Hunters who apply as a party receive the same random
number as the party leader.
• The preference point value for party applications entered
in the Big Game Drawing is determined by averaging
all party members’ preference points (total preference
points of the party divided by the number of party
members). Preference point averages are not rounded
up or down (CCR T14-708.14(e))
How does the drawing work?
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE 21
DRAWING INFO
• Just prior to the drawing, the computer sorts all
applications according to first tag choice (for deer),
preference point totals, and random number.
• The computer begins awarding tag choices to applicants
with the most preference points, in random number
order only (starting with the lowest random number to
the highest random number). Tags are awarded until
the preference quota is met. Then the computer resorts
the unsuccessful applicants by random number order
only and awards the tags until the remaining tag quota
is met.
• For deer, party applications are not split to meet the
tag quota if the number of party members exceeds
the number of available tags (CCR T14-708.15(a)(2)).
Therefore, when there are fewer tags available than the
number of members in a party, the computer bypasses
that application and moves on to the next application
where party count is equal to or less than the remaining
quota.
• For elk or antelope party applications, if your party is
drawn for the last available tag, the party leader will be
awarded the tag and the party member will become the
first alternate for that hunt. Parties drawn as alternates
will be awarded unclaimed tags on an individual basis, in
the order drawn.
