CA Preference points

[bpnclark]

Are max points going to stop at some time so people can catch up? Right now it’s 6(?) so will it stop at 10?

I have a friend that is two years behind. Is he ever going to be able to catch up?

 

[BOWUNTR]

Nope. They'll keep climbing. His only hope is for all the max point apps to get drawn or get lucky on the random draw. Ed F

 

[suavegato]

"theoretically" they will even out, eventually. But there are sure to be those who are “stock piling” points to guarantee themselves a tag when they finally do decide to apply. But for those who keep putting in for the same zone every year, you will get it eventually.

 

[Glass eye]

I see that you posted your question in the Elk forum. Perhaps it'll even out someday with deer but I don't believe you'd live long enough for Elk to even out. Best bet is to apply where only a single tag is issued and then everyone is equal. However, I think they don't have single tag bull hunts anymore.
Good luck !

 

[bpnclark]

You can still put in as a party for elk. He called me up and asked if he could put in with me. I told him no because I have max points and he doesn’t.

 

[bjake21]

As I understand it, with no limit on preference points, eventually the majority of elk hunted in CA will be by geezers (no offense) with 50+ pts and teens? Please correct me if I'm missing something.

 

[suavegato]

I don't know why they didn't just make it like a regular raffle where points = tickets. I.E. anyone can buy 1 point (ticket) per year and win at any given time... those who have more points, have more "tickets" in the hopper to be chosen from. that would seem pretty simple, easy & fair to me. and would also eliminate the need for this 90 - 10 ratio tag distribution crap, which only serves to make single tag hunts, non-pref point hunts anyway...

At least with the raffle ticket system, the more you have, the better your chances but everyone could pull a single miracle ticket too...

 

[suavegato]

I don't know why they didn't just make it like a regular raffle where points = tickets. I.E. anyone can buy 1 point (ticket) per year and win at any given time... those who have more points, have more "tickets" in the hopper to be chosen from. that would seem pretty simple, easy & fair to me. and would also eliminate the need for this 90 - 10 ratio tag distribution crap, which only serves to make single tag hunts, non-pref point hunts anyway...

At least with the raffle ticket system, the more you have, the better your chances but everyone could pull a single miracle ticket too...

 

[jackrabbit]

yep, I'm "stockpiling" my max elk points to when I can pretty much be gauranteed a hunt -- but for a cow tag, not a bull -- I just want the California meat. Then after that I will put in for bull tags and hope to get a 10% random tag. I'm already a "geezer", so I need hunts now! I can always hunt out of state for a CWD bull, since I don't eat antlers.

 

[DFGELK]

The elk and antelope tag split is different than the deer it is 75/25 so 25% go to the random once the tag numbers reach 4 for any individual hunt.


Joe

 

[SDHNTR]

suavegato, what you are talking about is a bonus point system. Lots of other states use that system. To play devil's advocate to your response, doesn't the guy who has been applying for fifteen years deserve to draw that tag more than a guy trying to draw it his very first year? A preference point system gives greater rewards to the patient folks who have been waiting a long time to draw. With a bonus point system the guy who has been waiting his turn for years can get screwed.

I'm not taking a side, I like both systems and apply in lots of states so it all evens out, I just wanted to make sure you understood the opposing arguement.

 

[buckspotter]

I'm guessing with that the way our public lands are managed, CA will be a great Elk state in 20 years and there will be more tags available for elk hunters. But there will be very few deer, except for on private land. So go for a good tag now and figure on easier to draw elk tags in twenty years!