new hunter question: where to register for draws?

[monyako]

I'm new to hunting, but I get that you need tags, and for some species tags are allocated on a point system. I'm probably not ready to go out and get an Elk but at some point I will, and I will want to have points to apply to that goal. What states should I be applying to and accruing points? I'd like to keep it in the western states. Thre questions:

1. Is this advisable? I'm not trying to piss everyone off if this is a douche move

2. Are there potential pitfalls to this approach?

3. If this is a good move what are the order of states I should be registering with?

Thanks!

 

[ilovesprig]

A lot of what you apply for will depend on your pocket book...I only apply for Montana (& didn't get drawn)...I wish I would've started to apply for Utah (points), since I buy a license there every year for turkeys...Great hunting state.

 

[HortoTheSlayer]

Not sure about which states are good to build points in but I found this PDF comparing Montana's non resident license fees in comparison to other western states. Found the info pretty useful..I believe if you pay for GoHunt insider it let's you compare and plan your out of state hunts and give you more information about building points. There are states out there where you can get OTC elk and deer tags without having to bother with points..just pick a state and read over the regs. Going after my first OTC bull elk this fall!

 

[TRICER]

Apply everywhere you only live once!

It’s a good feeling having a lot of points in a lot of states. Keeps the options open every season.

if you don’t want to do points apply in ID and NM they don’t have a points system.

 

[Zak]

I just started playing the points game so I've researched this question for over a year. I put in for most western states to give myself options down the road, and I can always drop a state if my interests change. You could start off with the cheap obvious ones like a Wyoming antelope point (which I think is open as of last week) and eventually get sucked into the rest of the states one-by-one like I did.

Why would you piss people off by applying for points?

 

[monyako]

@Zak I'm so new to hunting I don't know what I don't know.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. This is super helpful. Now I'm checking out gohunt.com, and the Montana PDF was super useful as well, Thanks!

 

[ilovesprig]

If you don't mind the drive...Montana is a great state to hunt...Lots of public and super friendly state to hunters...

ps...Fishing is pretty good too...

.

 

[HATCHET1]

19 points across the board in CA for all species!! Get in the game there dude....before its gone..i love CA!!