How much money have you…
General Topic
Invested over the years in hopes of drawing a limited tag and have not still drawn that coveted tag?
A few hundred I guess. I consider it a donation to species management and conservation.
If you’re in the “archery hunting business” it’s just a “necessary business expense”. Lots.
Mid-tier units are fine for me.
In 2008, I drew a NR Colorado sheep tag with 3 +0 preference points. At my age, I consider myself so far "ahead", that if I never draw again, I'm still more than break even.....and if I draw again, I just that much further ahead.....
Thousands trying to get a desert bighorn tag in AZ and NV. But during that time drew Shiras moose, WY bighorn, and several primo elk and mule deer tags
Approx $1500/year for over a decade. Odds are against ever drawing the 'coveted' tags, but I'm going to hone in on some of the mid-range points I've been accumulating. At least drought looks like a memory in the west this year (good for antlers though bad for concentrating critters).
I’m way ahead. I’ve drawn about everything by now
5-8$ a year for 27 years for Oregon bighorn and mountain goats. Maybe $150-$200 per species
I’ve been applying for Utah mountain goat since 2005, so 18 years . Can’t Remember the app fee for that per year. All that stuff changes every year. I’m sure I’m in that over $1500 Some years I was deer or elk hu ting there so I don’t count the license fee.
I have 13 elk points in wyoming, so probably into that for $900
I have 11 for deer so I’m into on that $700 maybe
I started buying points in my early 20’s, so at 43 I’ve drawn a small handful of really good tags.
Coming up on a few more soon hopefully
I’ve spent zero $ on “coveted tags” if by that you mean sheep/moose/etc. I’ve drawn a coveted WY GEN elk tags a few times, that’s about it. I knew long ago the truly “coveted tags” were out of my reach, so I spent my money on hunts not points.
—jim
I don’t wanna think about it
I’ve spent zero on limited tag draws.
TREESTANDWOLF - Are you going to tell my wife?
I've been in the points game since the late 90's, so no idea how much $$$ I've invested over the last quarter century? When I started, prices were very reasonable. I recall spending $7 for sheep and moose points in Wyoming as an example. Prices are definitely higher today. This year, I'll be out somewhere in the $1,200 range in non-refundable costs across nine states. Typically apply for mid-tier units, so drawing a tag or two (sometimes more) has not been unusual. Getting tougher every year though with reduced NR tags and rising NR applicant numbers.
That said, I've drawn LE tags in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado (8), Iowa (6), Kansas (2), Montana (4), New Mexico, Utah (2) and Wyoming (5). How many of those would be considered "coveted" tags? I guess that is in the eye of the beholder. However, there are two ram tags and a Shiras bull moose tag included in the tag numbers listed above.
Sandbrew.
I will not sir. :^)
No idea what I’ve spent but still waiting to draw that surprise tag one of these days.
$400 in Wyoming. But I started the points game to just draw any general tag. I didn’t plan on waiting this long to get a tag there. Just been hunting other states.
To my wife, “ a couple thousand bucks is all” grin
Dang Treewolf….you trying to get us depressed?
I’ve currently got 20 points in Nev for elk ….thats about $2900 right there in that one state.
I confess. What brought this topic up was a discussion I had with another hunter while traveling to the Yukon last fall. He was telling me about all his points everywhere and how much he has invested. I explained that I was in the game in a few states, but it seemed I got involved, late in the game and some hunts where/are out of reach for me.
That got me to thinking the value of a landowners tag cost against what he has put in over the years for certain types of hunts.
I guess an example would be trying to draw a coveted Mule Deer tag or pay the price to go to Alberta on a "expensive" mule deer hunt.
Just random thoughts until its time to chase turkeys.
About $700 a year in points and non refundable licenses and fees. Probably spend close to that in raffle tags as well but look at those as more a donation then actual chance at anything. Started hunting out west and buying points in 2015 knew I'd never catch the high end units. Focus on mid to low tier point units never saved more than 6 points for anything.
2k or a little more nonrefundable for points for myself and my kids. Been putting in since 2005. I have a lot of good hunting ahead of me in the next ten years
Well its easier now to apply.....back about 10-15 years ago it was nothing to have $25,000 hanging out in Draw apps.
I have scaled it way back.
To be fair, I can't complain, I've drawn many really good tags for the effort applying. But that was then.....Now the competition for those tags is crazy.
I drew 3 good non res elk tags in AZ in a 6 year period- thats unheard of now. That was over 30 years ago before all of the draw services and you tube videos. Now I will be lucky to draw another non res Utah Little Creek or AZ elk tag in my lifetime as point creep just keeps moving away from all of us.
None. But I would exchange a significant amount of additional money for various tags, if the states or provinces in question would enter into such an agreement with me. For example, I would pay the state of Minnesota $345 right now for a guaranteed nonresident bear tag in 2024. The tag only costs $230 but I would pay an additional 50% for the surety and the ability to forgo the hassle of applying and drawing.
RD then it’s turns into a game for the rich and people just applying for the tag would have no chance lol
About $1500/yr. I've drawn some ok tags and a couple nice ones.
13 states. I don't apply for every specie in the states I apply in. And I've dropped out of some draws, like WY moose/sheep and Washington.
MA - I would pay additional money for the tag; other persons in this thread have admitted to spending additional, non-refundable costs for their various applications. Do the non-refundable costs change the nature of the game as well? Also, are the gentlemen who invest between $700-$1500 in non-refundable costs a year "rich men" or are they just allocating their money to their interests - which all persons, no matter their means can do?
More than I care to think about but what the hell ever see a hearse pulling a wagon good luck all Lewis
I’d guess I’m somewhere between $15-20k into draws/raffles at this point. Annually likely $1-1.5k non refundable. The switch of all states to the model of buying a hunting license to apply really upped the non refundable money. I preferred the front the cash and get essentially all of it back later model.
RD - "I would pay additional money for the tag; other persons in this thread have admitted to spending additional, non-refundable costs for their various applications. Do the non-refundable costs change the nature of the game as well?"
I guess that comparison is somewhat debatable...but I can't support tag price increases to better my own odds. Honestly, I don't see the advantage either...as states increase non-resident tag prices all the time...and the majority of my draw odds are currently worse than ever.
Pav: that is why I don't enter into the draws - bad odds, increasing prices, and the random nature, wherein a person could be randomly selected 7 out of 10 years, while others might only get a single tag during the same time period. I would love to go elk, sheep, and goat hunting but I don't want to screw around with the uncertainty. I will make a money for services exchange for whatever I want - there just has to be some ability to bank on the outcome, in a sense, or I'll spend my money on non-hunting vacations.
RD - Not trying to talk you into something you don't want to do...but if hunting elk, deer and pronghorn is something you desire...it is worth the points IMO. I've been doing this roughly a quarter century and am averaging more than a tag per year. I could have drawn three mid-tier tags this year (deer (2)_and pronghorn) and the best general tag in the west (elk in Wyoming) if I didn't already have other hunt plans lined up.
When talking sheep, mountain goat, moose and bison...those are a different story and I totally understand why some people avoid such draws.
I'm like Blake - "I don’t wanna think about it"
Rocky - great and funny point. I AM missing out on a lot by not going out West after big mule deer and bugling elk - but the rules of the draw are just off-putting to me. Pav - thanks for the insight. Part of my unwillingness to apply is just a personal aversion to stress and anxiety. Additionally, I would be inconsolable if I had money invested in an application program, only to have a state change the rules on me. Just thinking about that is making me sweat. Good luck to each of you this fall.
I totally get that RD and the rules change. My attitude towards it all is apply all over and be happy with the knowledge that I will draw some tags. If you expect to draw tags or feel you should have something back on your investment in each state, then you are bound to be disillusioned. But it's also resulted in some amazing hunts.
Mine is probably $700 per year for the last 13 years, but usually get 1-2 hunts per year out of the points we've built up now. Lots of "easier" to draw tags, but still had fun every time and always learn something new.
Not a clue.. About 25 years of getting points in Colorado alone 3k/3.5k. With other states now a days it's like 500 or 600 a year. Trying to not thinks about that to much.
Alot of the raffles have alot better odds
I don't think about it much . However as a " Widower " I can tell you I have spent way more wineing and dining old skirts and legal gambling . No regrets money well spent . I even seen the " grand canyon " with out ever leaving Florida. Lol ! ....
Hard to say for sure, but in the multiple thousands for all the different draws in different states.
What WOULD be scary, would be to put a pencil to how much I spend each year on food plot related expenditures.
I've stopped counting, I just have an application/tag/hunt fund set aside....
I appreciate your positive attitude and encouragement! It can definitely be frustrating to invest time and money into something and not see the results we want, but keeping a positive mindset is key. Thanks for suggesting the blackout bingo game as a way to earn some extra cash - I'll definitely check it out! By the way, have you tried using any
money tracking apps? They can be really helpful in keeping track of your finances and ensuring you're staying on track with your financial goals.
I’ve drawn and arrowed NR NV Desert Bighorn, NR UT Bison, NR WY Shiras Moose. To have hunted those species with an outfitter would likely be costing me close to $100,000 today vs the few thousand $ in application fees and actual tag costs I’ve incurred in my life. Like many have said, I’m way ahead.
On top of that, many fine resident LEH tags have resulted in taxidermy bills and a full freezer. By fine I mean a couple big elk from CO, two CO Bighorns and two CO Mt Goats, plus smaller BC Roosevelt Elk and Mt Caribou that both ate very well.
That said I only play the resident LEH game these days spending a less than $50 per year looking for a Dall, Bison, special Mt Caribou, special Bighorn or local moose tag. In the case of Mt Caribou, moose and Bighorn licenses are available without drawing for some units.
Ditto.
Although I have drawn one (depending on what one might consider coveted) in my lifetime that I spent between $100-$200 on points.
About $2k a year but I have drawn many many great tags. Not drawn is WY moose over $1k so far. Other states I apply for several species so my "per tag" cost is lower. MT is the only state I apply (sheep & mnt goat) I have not drawn anything in.
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At my age, I don't have the time to play the "draw" game. I am very much aware I have more runway behind me than I do in front of me.
I go to where I can hunt when I want to hunt.
I buy landowner tags and elk hunt every year. Life’s to short for the NR draw.
By starting in the mid 8os as a Colo resident I have drawn two archery sheep tags, a why moose tag, a unit 201 elk tag, and dozens of great mule deer tags in Colo and NM, where I live now. I have taken three oryx in NM with a bow and two aoudad. So now chasing the marquee hunts are mostly behind me. I need one or two more Iowa points and another Colo elk point to keep after trophies in those states but that's only a year or two away. I have had a great life in archery and bowhunting, and have a trophy room full of memories. I was so lucky to start before trophy bowhunting became so popular.
I just did the math, since 2016 I've spent about $4800 on unsuccessful points and license fees. However I have drawn: Colorado moose 2022 Nevada mule deer 2020 Colorado mule deer x3 Montana elk (returned tag) 2022 New Mexico mule deer 2021 Colorado elk (this year) Utah Mule deer (this year)
So it's paid off in the end I suppose. Unless things get significantly worse I'm poised to draw something decent nearly every year.
I'm just not going to spend more than $5000 to hunt an animal. Seems too much like prostitution at that point
Worth it so far, and will be when even more so when I draw a desert sheep tag!
I don’t even want to know. But after 24 years of applying for a moose tag the dream has finally become a reality this year.
Have drawn a handful of elk tags along the way that it is really doubtful I will ever draw them again.
