Likely Tables or Lassen

[Mel Carter]

I noticed that the odds for Lassen, period 2 are a little better than Likely Tables, provided you have max points. I've always put in for Likely Tables, but kind of changing directions this year. Where are you guys putting in?

 

[wmidbrook]

Likely had the better 1st period draw odds compared to Lassen so I'll probably stick with it. Although, Lassen second period draw odds probably wouldn't be too bad either....still have yet to put my pen to application...waffle, waffle, waffle.


We don't know how many max point applicants there are. But, our odds with max points are probably closer to 1 in 20 than 1 in 36 and only getting better by the year.

 

[DKScott]

I hunted Likely Tables P2 and there were lots of antelope, but it appeared that most of the herd bucks had been shot off in P1. The best bucks I saw were around 12" with good mass. Mine was right at 12" and he was as good as I saw in a week of hunting. If you hunt up on the Garden, make sure you have good tires because some areas you are driving over very sharp rocks

 

[BOWUNTR]

Here is a tip for picking a unit that has the best odds. You can check this out for yourself. Mel, you have to remember that what you are thinking, hundreds of other hunters are thinking the same thing, appling for the zone that had the best draw odds LAST year. It will change this year because more hunters will apply for that zone. It usually works out this way. So as hard as it may be, apply for the zone that has the worst draw odds last year, if that's all you are considering is the best odds for drawing. I hope this makes sense. Good luck. Ed F

 

[BigDave]

I got my buck at Likely tables in 2002. I saw 17 different bucks in 3 days. I finally shot a 13.75 incher with good mass. I got it up on the garden. I wish I had a good spotting scope and range finder.

Make sure you have heavy duty tires or use the guides truck.

Dave

 

[Mel Carter]

Yeah BOWUNTER, I see your point. It's just hard looking at the odds on the lower end and think you may have a better chance, VS putting in for the higher end draw odds.

 

[Tom Petterson]

Put in for where you want to hunt with this new drwing system eventualy you will get the tag. Then once you do get drawn it is a ten year wait time before you can put in agian then along time before you get back to the top of the list ie.max points. So you need to draw the hunt you want the firts time or its going to be a long wait untill you see another tag agin to do it right.
If you can't tell I got a tag the first year I applied before the point system So no points& no draw fr me for a while. Back of the line

 

[BOWUNTR]

Lassen and Likley Tables are both good hunts (for a Ca hunt) and worth playing the odds for. Think again about drawing another tag after waiting the ten years. You will never get to max points again in your lifetime, unless the antelope population in Ca explodes and more tags are alotted. With current Ca game management I doubt that this will ever happen. You will be applying for the 10% tag. Good luck. One Ca antelope tag is like a once in a lifetime hunt. I drew (12 years) Likley Tables archery in 99 and I will never be able to catch up. Although, I heard a rumor that starting this year, you can just put in for a point if your waiting period is not up. If this is true, disreguard everything I just wrote. My 2 cents. Ed F

 

[Mel Carter]

I think I read in the big game booklet, under Questions and Answers. This was one of the questions, can you still put in for a point only if your on the 10 year waiting list. They said no, you have to wait the 10 years before you can start putting in, even for only points.

 

[Schoettgen]

With my luck I don't think it matters, I have been putting in since the 80s and the closest I got was first runner up on a lassen archery hunt. I drew #8 and they only issued 7 tags. Year before they issued 15 year after they issued 15. Exasperating to say the least. I have better luck drawing Nevada deer tags.

 

[wmidbrook]

Yeah, I agree this is pretty much a once in a lifetime tag for most of us. Maybe some of the juniors have an alright chance of drawing twice in a lifetime.

My guess is that this will be a one tag per 20-25 years with a 10 year break in between while the hunter sits it out on the sidelines during a waiting period....in addition to drawing, people fall out of the point pool for various reasons (moving out of state, lost interest in hunting, dieing, etc.). But, we won't get a good picture of attrition rates for quite a while.....if Colorado is an indicator, it's not pretty...attrition rates are astonishing low!

 

[DKScott]

I guess I was pretty lucky. I got picked on my second try.

 

[Hntrjohn]

The lopes in Likely were in big herds for the first 30 minutes of the season. Then they went into hiding.

 

[huntducks]

I drew a tag 1970 for Surprise Valley first time I applied then waited my 10 years and have put in every year since with no luck, if they would have had points back then I would be sitting on something like 24 points now.

The Antelope pop really took off in Ca. back in the mid 80's but the winter kill of 92 really set it back I beleive Ca, Antelope pop was in the 8000-10,000 range back then they even had a hunt up in X-12 Bodie area.

 

[fishboat1]

I also was luckly as I got drawn on my first try two years ago. Hunted Likely tables about two miles NE of the town of Likely during P2. Took a 13 incher opening day. Should of waited as I saw a larger buck as I was making the very long drag back to my truck. Excellent eating, probably the best of any wild game that I have tasted. Maybe dragging the animal over the sharp rocks tenderized the meat.

Probably never get drawn again in Ca. Time to look for a out of state area.

Mike H

 

[Modocer]

My dad has been putting in for 38 years without being drawn. He has tried everything , he has stuffed his envolope, put his application in a bright envolope, hand delivered it. One time he even put a $100 bill in his application, he didn't get a tag or his money back.

Before the 92 die off the likley tables were drawing over 600 tags for the three seasons (bow, P1, P2). We would have over 300 antelope on the ranch at any one time. Now we have 23 antelope total. If the powers that be, don't start managing the coyotes soon we aren't going to have a antelope season.

 

[Kentuck]

Hey Mel,

If you put in for Likely Tables and get drawn I'll tell you what rock to sit on. I got a 14 incher there in 99 and my Dad got a 12 incher on the same hunt.

Kentuck

 

[Hntrjohn]

Yes the coyotes were out in force while the lope season was on last year. I took to coyotes just while we were driving to diferent spots to check out.

 

[BOWUNTR]

Here's my 99 Likely Tables archery antelope. If you get drawn I'll tell you which bush to hide under! 13 1/2" 72" P&Y

 

[Mel Carter]

That's a great looking goat you have there. I seen Kentucks buck, he got a real unique looking goat, looks great on the wall. I decided to put in for the Lassen area period 2. I know this area fairly well, my duddy drew it several years ago, then I hunted this area on my X5B deer tag. I put my son Phillip in for the Likely Tables period one, so if a miracle happens, and he draws, I'll look you guys up for a little info.