Sheep Tag - would you rather

[Carl 9.3x62]

Would you rather draw a sheep tag, or any other coveted tag, totally by surprise or knowingly?

I have enough points to draw in WY, so it won't be a surprise when I do. Not sure which way I'd rather go.

 

[Bgriffith]

By surprise! Would/well be easier to explain to the wife the large hit on the cc... “well honey I only had a 0.1% chance... I never thought I’d draw”

 

[EYJONAS!]

Never been in your position and not sure if I will ever be but would be fun to plan if you knew you had a great opportunity to draw. Had a buddy draw Wyoming last year and he said one of the best parts was planning and scouting years prior

 

[Trial153]

Anyway that could. I would camp out at my mailbox waiting.

 

[Wildabeest]

Surprise. Since I was way late to the points game, surprise (ie. Raffles) is my only chance!

 

[rtraverdavis]

I'd like a surprise. But since we're in dream-land here, I'd like to be surprised with a tag in the unit I apply for every year and know really well here in Oregon, and I'd like the surprise to come with a few million dollars, new knees, and a shit-load of Mtn Ops.

 

[FlatlanderAZ]

By surprise! Would/well be easier to explain to the wife the large hit on the cc... “well honey I only had a 0.1% chance... I never thought I’d draw”

That exact thing happened to me last year when I drew a Shiras tag on my first time ever applying.

 

[bigjohn]

I have only drawn two sheep tags, one by surprise with only 2 points in Nevada. The other tag was a result of being at max points in Arizona where I knew that I would eventually draw if I didn't mess up my application. Both were really exciting!

 

[wyflyguy]

I have drawn sheep tags twice in my life, both of which were very long odds. The first was a desert sheep tag in Nevada when I was 17 years old. The second was last year in New Mexico (no point system, random draw). Both were very unexpected and the excitement at having drawn is incredible. So I guess I lean toward drawing the unexpected. Nothing like it. Plus, if you're expecting a sheep tag it means you've been applying for a very long time.

 

[ccc23454]

I am "that guy" who could have max points and still not draw, i could buy 99 of 100 raffle tickets and not draw so any and all tags i hope to draw but dont expect to draw, with that said anything i draw is a surprise! Starting to think my computer might not even has green as a color option. 0/13 so far this year with 3 draws remaining so enjoy your max points and appreciate it when you do draw no matter how you find out...

 

[wytex]

Choose your area wisely Carl, you can do a great DIY hunt in the right areas. Our sheep over this way are doing great.

 

[recurveman]

I would want to plan if possible. Think about how you could put some effort into an area before you put in for the tag. With a little luck you could have everything planned out before hand and make the adventure a bit easier. I have a buffalo tag that I can draw when I want to in AZ right now and I'm thinking about applying to get drawn for the tag next year. Right now I'm talking to guys on the hunt and learning what to expect. I think that will help in my efforts to kill the right critter.

 

[BuzzH]

If you have the points, draw now.

Just because you could have drawn this year, doesn't mean next year you will be able to. Quota's being reduced by even a couple tags can really change things with your preference points, as in, you may be waiting more years to have 100% draw odds.

Plus, you never know how things are going to go with your financial situation, your health, your job, your vacation time...a lot can change in a years time.

I waited maybe one year longer than I needed to, but once I thought I had the points I needed to hunt a solid unit...my points were quickly converted to a sheep tag.

YMMV...

 

[Deleted member 18333]

If you have the points, draw now.

Just because you could have drawn this year, doesn't mean next year you will be able to. Quota's being reduced by even a couple tags can really change things with your preference points, as in, you may be waiting more years to have 100% draw odds.

Plus, you never know how things are going to go with your financial situation, your health, your job, your vacation time...a lot can change in a years time.

I waited maybe one year longer than I needed to, but once I thought I had the points I needed to hunt a solid unit...my points were quickly converted to a sheep tag.

YMMV...

Much to agree with in your thoughts but for me I am willing to roll the dice and wait it out. My job can cause plans to change quickly. Particularly in Sept thru Nov. Last year I had to bail on a CO deer tag due to work issues the day before I was set to head to CO. Right now I have 21 PP for sheep so there are tags I could draw but still a PP shy in the unit I really want. A Wyo sheep hunt is the hunt I want more than any other. My plan is to keep gathering PP then cash out the year I plan on retiring. That will give me the entire summer to scout the unit and the entire fall to hunt the unit with no work distractions. Many assumptions riding on this plan and those assumptions can and will change but as of today its still a solid plan. For me a surprise sheep tag would suck. I have 7.5 more years of waiting and gathering PP's.

 

[geetar]

If I had the choice I’d prefer to draw an Idaho sheep tag by total surprise ( no points system ) and take several summer trips to scout.

 

[Bluffgruff]

Much to agree with in your thoughts but for me I am willing to roll the dice and wait it out. My job can cause plans to change quickly. Particularly in Sept thru Nov. Last year I had to bail on a CO deer tag due to work issues the day before I was set to head to CO. Right now I have 21 PP for sheep so there are tags I could draw but still a PP shy in the unit I really want. A Wyo sheep hunt is the hunt I want more than any other. My plan is to keep gathering PP then cash out the year I plan on retiring. That will give me the entire summer to scout the unit and the entire fall to hunt the unit with no work distractions. Many assumptions riding on this plan and those assumptions can and will change but as of today its still a solid plan. For me a surprise sheep tag would suck. I have 7.5 more years of waiting and gathering PP's.

I am already worried you're going to miss your chance. You might not even be able to walk in 2028, wyoming could go to bonus points, or the while sheep herd could get wiped out. There is no benefit to waiting even one extra year in this game of chance if the experience is one worth having.

 

[wheels]

most are by surprises

 

[FlatlanderAZ]

I would want to plan if possible. Think about how you could put some effort into an area before you put in for the tag. With a little luck you could have everything planned out before hand and make the adventure a bit easier. I have a buffalo tag that I can draw when I want to in AZ right now and I'm thinking about applying to get drawn for the tag next year. Right now I'm talking to guys on the hunt and learning what to expect. I think that will help in my efforts to kill the right critter.

We are headed up for a Kaibab Bison hunt next month with my 11 year old. Feel free to hit me up for a report and we will share what we know.

 

[LopeHunter]

If you have the points, draw now.

Just because you could have drawn this year, doesn't mean next year you will be able to. Quota's being reduced by even a couple tags can really change things with your preference points, as in, you may be waiting more years to have 100% draw odds.

Plus, you never know how things are going to go with your financial situation, your health, your job, your vacation time...a lot can change in a years time.

I waited maybe one year longer than I needed to, but once I thought I had the points I needed to hunt a solid unit...my points were quickly converted to a sheep tag.

YMMV...

Preach. Not only can quotas be reduced but a state can change the rules if you are a non-resident.

Perhaps you are a resident so would benefit from any allocation reduction to non-residents (some influencers in WY have asked for the non-resident allocation to get a haircut) so are feeling quite safe in waiting another year. Well, the pattern you observe this year that makes you think is a sure thing can drastically change. Huntin' Fool or Epic or a public magazine or media influencer announces that a certain sheep unit is the best unit or perhaps a forum or two claims that a giant 200"er was spotted in the winter count of a unit. Heck, raising the cost of Preference Points gets "point builders" to wake up and jump in the draw to burn their points. This price increase on points has happened before and odds get hammered as active applications jump creating instant accelerated point creep for a few years and creates a new normal for odds to draw at each point level.

You are probably going to draw when you want to but until you have the tag on the back leg of a ram, is not a done deal. Feds go on strike and shut down access, fires and floods shut down access, armed ranchers occupy land creating access issues, virus quarantines arise, sheep disease whacks a herd, etc.

 

[Deleted member 18333]

I am already worried you're going to miss your chance. You might not even be able to walk in 2028, wyoming could go to bonus points, or the while sheep herd could get wiped out. There is no benefit to waiting even one extra year in this game of chance if the experience is one worth having.

I'll take my chances that I will still be bipedal in 2028. Long odds but I'm feeling lucky. Going to roll the dice on a mass die off of the Wyoming sheep herd. Once again, I'm feeling lucky. Feeling confident that Wyoming is not going to switch to a Bonus point system for resident sheep anytime soon. Wyoming does not have a history of pulling the rug out from under res hunters on a moments notice. If anything I would say moving to a 90/10 split on sheep licenses is more likely than Bonus points. Either way, I can always cash in my PP's if the equations moves in significant way.

For me the experience is worth having when i can devote the time and attention I want to this hunt.