Draw Process Working Group Recommendations on Primary Draw Methods & Preference Points
By Dave Shaffer
A synopsis of the 3/14 Commissioner’s meeting.
The Working Group considered these options:
- Random Draw (similar to how Desert Sheep is done)
- Preference Draw (similar to how Derr, Elk are done)
- Bonus Point Draw (Similar to Weighted Draw for Bighorn, Goat, Moose)
- Split Draw / Hybrid Draw: 1st Preference Draw then Random Draw (Like Hybrid Draw)
- Split Draw / Hybrid Draw: 1st Preference Draw then Bonus Draw (Currently Not Used)
Preliminary Recommendations (These are only Preliminary Recommendations, NOT decisions.)
1) ** For Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Bear: Recommend changing from a pure Preference Point system to a Split Preference Draw & Bonus Draw (50/50 Split) for Deer, Elk, Bear, Pronghorn. (i.e. The first 50% of the tags would be a Preference Point Draw followed by a Bonus Draw for the remaining 50%.)
Note: Trophy Species (Sheep, Goat, Moose) will be discussed at the next meeting.
Note: Secondary Draw still being discussed.
2) Allocation: 75/25 split for ALL Deer, Elk, Bear, Pronghorn (eliminates the High Demand 80/20 that was recently approved and not even implemented yet).
3) Youth Preference: Status Quo, 2nd Draw 100% Youth Preference.
4) Preference Points Options
- **Use Points for ALL List A Licenses (All 4 Primary Choices would use & gain Points)
Eliminate the PP hunt Code; must choose if you want PP only (can’t include other hunt choices) OR apply for a license.
- Use Points in the Secondary Draw.
Group Agreed NOT to do this.
- Increase Cost of Points for ALL Species.
Group did NOT support this.
- Point Banking: Use only the number of preference points needed to draw a particular license, Bank the rest of your points.
- Group did NOT recommend this.
- Group Averaging: Using an average of all group member’s preference points.
- Group did NOT recommend this, concerned it would create a Market for Preference Points.
5. Limitation of Over-the-Counter Elk Licenses: They only considered units which are currently OTC.
Limitations of OTC Archery
**Alternative 1: (Recommended) Limit ALL resident & nonresident archery licenses (limited licenses are available through the Draw). (i.e. No more OTC Archery)
Note: This is the least preferred option by resident hunters.
- Alternative 2: Limit only Nonresident archery licenses (limited licenses are available through the Draw). Status quo OTC for residents.
Note: Nearly ALL of the resident (and even nonresident) Public Comments adamantly supported this option and requested the Commissioners support resident hunters.
- Status Quo: No Change
Limitations of OTC Rifle
-
- Alternative 1: Limit ALL resident & nonresident rifle licenses (limited licenses are available through the Draw).
- Alternative 2: Limit only Nonresident rifle Licenses (limited licenses are available through the Draw). Status quo OTC for residents.
- **Status Quo: (Recommended) No Change
6. Administrative Changes – Cow Moose
Recommendation: Optional Late Cow Moose Season that is additional to the regular October 1-14 moose rifle season and is valid for all regular rifle deer and elk seasons when necessary to meet management for moose.
7. Administrative Changes – PLO Black Bear
Recommendation: Modify the existing language to clarify that PLO rifle bear licenses are not required to be unlimited OTC for every population/DAU (managers could still choose an unlimited PLO OTC strategy).
8. BGSS Cycle Length
Recommendation: Status Quo, maintain the current 5-year cycle length.
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