How Hunting Draw Systems Work: Every State Compared

The western state draw system is the gateway to the best hunting opportunities in North America. Premium elk units, trophy mule deer areas, once-in-a-lifetime moose and sheep tags — they all run through a draw. But every state does it differently, and the differences matter. A preference point strategy that makes sense in Colorado can waste a decade of money in Wyoming. An application mistake in Montana can cost you a year of bonus point accumulation.

Understanding how each state’s draw system works — the type of point system, how odds are calculated, what the application costs, and where the strategic leverage is — is the single most important step in planning western hunts. Hunters who master the draw game consistently hold better tags than hunters who just throw in applications randomly.

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This guide breaks down every major western state’s draw system, compares them side by side, and explains how to build an intelligent multi-state application strategy. If you’re already familiar with the basics, jump ahead to the multi-state strategy section. If you need a refresher on point types, start with our preference vs. bonus points explainer.

Draw System Types Explained

Before comparing states, you need to understand the four main draw system architectures.

Preference Point Systems

In a preference point system, tags go first to applicants with the most points. Hunters accumulate one point per year by applying unsuccessfully or purchasing a point. When you draw, your points reset to zero.

How it works in practice: If a unit has 10 tags and 50 applicants, the 10 applicants with the highest point totals draw the tags. If 15 applicants are tied at the highest point level, random selection breaks the tie among those 15 for the 10 available tags.

Key feature: You can calculate exactly when you’ll draw. If the cutoff for a unit is 15 points and you have 10, you know you’re roughly 5 years away (assuming the cutoff doesn’t climb).

States using preference points: Colorado (weighted hybrid), Wyoming (75/25 split), Nevada (weighted bonus), Montana (weighted bonus for limited-entry)

Bonus Point Systems

Bonus point systems increase your odds with each accumulated point but don’t guarantee you’ll draw before lower-point applicants. Your points give you more “entries” in the draw pool, but a zero-point applicant can still beat a 20-point applicant through random chance.

How it works in practice: A hunter with 10 bonus points might get 10 entries (or more, depending on the multiplier) in the draw pool, while a zero-point hunter gets 1 entry. More entries mean better odds, but not certainty.

Key feature: No guaranteed timeline. You could draw in year 1 or year 25.

States using bonus points: Montana, Idaho (deer/elk), Oregon

Weighted Bonus Point Systems

A variation where your bonus points increase your weighted entries exponentially. This dramatically increases the advantage for long-term applicants.

How it works in practice: A hunter with 10 points gets 100 weighted entries. A hunter with 20 points gets 400 weighted entries. The exponential scaling heavily favors point holders.

State using weighted bonus: Nevada

Random (No Points)

Some states run pure random draws with no point system. Every applicant has equal odds regardless of how many years they’ve applied.

State using random draws: Alaska, some specific hunt types in various states

State-by-State Draw System Comparison

Master Comparison Table

State	System Type	Point Cost (NR)	App Deadline	Can Buy Point Only?	NR Tag Allocation	Refund if Unsuccessful?	Group Apps?
Colorado	Weighted preference	$100 elk/$100 deer	First Tue of April	Yes	20% of limited-entry	Yes (minus app fee)	Yes (lowest points)
Wyoming	75% preference / 25% random	$166 elk/$98 deer	Jan 31	Yes	~20% varies by species	Yes (minus app fee)	Yes (lowest points)
Montana	Bonus point	$50 elk/$50 deer	Mar 15 (varies)	Yes (some species)	Up to 10%	Yes (minus fees)	Yes
Idaho	Controlled hunt (bonus-like)	$14.75 app fee	June 5	No (must apply)	10% of controlled	Yes (minus app fee)	Yes
Arizona	Bonus with preference tier	$160 NR license + $15 app	Second Tue of June	Yes	10% of premium units	Yes (minus app fee)	Yes
Nevada	Weighted bonus	$15 app + $142 NR license	Mid-April	Yes	10%	Yes (minus fees)	Yes
New Mexico	Pure draw (E-PLUS lottery)	$65 elk app	Third Wed of March	No	6% (10% some units)	No	No
Oregon	Preference + random mix	$8 app	May 15	Yes	Variable	Yes (minus app fee)	Yes
Utah	Bonus point	$10 app + $65 NR permit	Late Feb / early Mar	Yes	Up to 10%	Yes (minus app fee)	Yes
Alaska	Pure random	$10 app	Mid-February	No	Equal access	N/A	No
Washington	Random with preference categories	$14.70 app	Late May	No	Variable	Yes	Yes
Kansas	Preference	Varies by species	Mid-April	Yes	Limited NR allocation	Yes	No

Colorado Draw System

Colorado’s draw uses a weighted preference point system — the most commonly misunderstood draw in the West.

How it works:

• Each preference point gives you additional weighted entries in the draw
• A hunter with 5 points gets 5 entries; a hunter with 0 points gets 1 entry
• This is NOT a pure preference system — lower-point applicants have a small mathematical chance
• However, for premium units where hundreds of applicants hold maximum points, the system effectively functions as preference

Strategic considerations:

• OTC archery and muzzleloader tags available without drawing — hunt every year while building points
• Point creep is severe on premium units (Unit 61 now requires 23+ points for NR)
• Mid-tier units drawing at 5–10 points offer the best value
• Leftover tags in July offer same-year opportunities without points

Annual cost for NR point maintenance: $100/species/year

Complete Colorado draw odds and application guide

Wyoming Draw System

Wyoming runs a 75/25 split — 75% of tags go to the highest-point applicants (preference), and 25% are distributed by random draw among all applicants.

How it works:

• 75% of nonresident tags in each unit go to applicants with the most preference points
• 25% of nonresident tags are drawn randomly from ALL applicants, regardless of points
• This means a zero-point applicant has a shot at the 25% random pool every year

Strategic considerations:

• The random pool makes Wyoming the best state for “long-shot” applications at premium units
• Preference side is more predictable than Colorado’s weighted system
• Special tags (moose, sheep, goat, bison) use the random pool more heavily
• Wyoming requires purchasing a full-price license before the draw — refundable if you don’t draw, but ties up $600+ in January

Annual cost for NR point maintenance: ~$166 for elk (preference point purchase)

Complete Wyoming draw odds and application guide

Montana Draw System

Montana uses bonus points with a twist — the point system only applies to certain permit types, and general tags for some species are available over the counter.

How it works:

• Bonus points accumulated through unsuccessful applications or point purchases
• Each point equals one additional chance in the draw (linear formula: entries = points + 1)
• General deer and elk tags are available OTC to residents; nonresidents enter a drawing for a limited number of general tags
• Special permits for specific units use the bonus point system

Strategic considerations:

• Montana’s general elk and deer tags are the primary nonresident opportunity — the permit drawing for these is separate from the special permit drawing
• NR general elk tag odds are roughly 50% in recent years
• Special permits for premium units draw at very low odds even with max points
• The Block Management program makes Montana general tags among the most valuable in the West

Annual cost for NR point maintenance: $50/species (must purchase NR license in some scenarios)

Complete Montana draw odds and application guide

Idaho Draw System

Idaho’s controlled hunt system is straightforward but the application process has nuances.

How it works:

• First choice draws receive priority
• Unsuccessful applicants accumulate points toward future draws (for deer and elk only)
• Points provide additional entries (similar to bonus points)
• Nonresidents can apply for controlled hunts with a 10% tag allocation

Strategic considerations:

• Idaho sells OTC general tags for elk and deer — these provide excellent hunting without any draw
• Controlled hunts target specific units with higher quality or limited access
• The Sawtooth, Selway, and Frank Church Wilderness areas are accessible via general tags — no draw needed for some of the best backcountry in the West
• Application fee is only $14.75 — cheap insurance for a premium tag

Arizona Draw System

Arizona runs a hybrid bonus with a preference component that rewards long-term applicants while maintaining random opportunity.

How it works:

• Applicants with the highest bonus points receive first consideration in a 20% “loyalty” allocation
• Remaining 80% of tags drawn from all applicants, weighted by bonus points
• Bonus points are NOT consumed when you draw — you keep them for other species
• Permanent point loss only when you draw your first-choice hunt

Strategic considerations:

• Arizona produces the largest-bodied elk in the lower 48 and trophy mule deer
• Bull elk units like 1, 6A, 10, and 27 are among the best in North America but have extremely low draw odds
• The 20% loyalty tier makes consistent application worthwhile
• Non-resident allocation is very limited (10% of premium tags)

Complete Arizona elk hunting guide

Nevada Draw System

Nevada’s weighted bonus point system is the most aggressive point-weighted system in the West.

How it works:

• Each applicant’s bonus points increase their weighted entries exponentially in the draw
• 0 points = 1 entry, 5 points = 25 entries, 10 points = 100 entries, 20 points = 400 entries
• The exponential scaling means long-term applicants have overwhelming statistical advantages

Strategic considerations:

• Nevada produces the biggest mule deer in the West, period
• The weighted system makes it nearly impossible to draw premium tags without significant point accumulation
• With 10% NR allocation and exponential weighting, the time investment is serious
• Consider whether the $15/year application fee is worth a multi-decade commitment

New Mexico Draw System

New Mexico is unique — it runs a pure lottery with no point system and relatively generous nonresident allocation.

How it works:

• Every applicant has equal odds regardless of history
• No preference points, no bonus points, no point purchases
• Some hunts use a separate “E-PLUS” system with a slight advantage for previous unsuccessful applicants
• Outfitter-set-aside tags (approximately 10% in some units) are allocated through registered outfitters

Strategic considerations:

• New Mexico’s pure lottery makes it the most accessible state for premium elk tags
• Units like 34, 36, and the Gila produce 370+ class bulls
• Apply every year — every application is a fresh random chance
• The outfitter-set-aside system means guided hunters have a separate tag pool, which can improve DIY draw odds in some units

Complete New Mexico elk hunting guide

The True Cost of Point Systems

Building preference and bonus points across multiple states creates a significant long-term financial commitment. Here’s what a serious multi-state applicant spends annually.

Annual Point Maintenance Costs (Nonresident)

State	Elk Points	Deer Points	Antelope Points	Total Annual
Colorado	$100	$100	$100	$300
Wyoming	$166	$98	$75	$339
Montana	$50	$50	N/A	$100
Arizona	$15 app + $160 license	(covered by license)	(covered by license)	$175
Nevada	$15	$15	$15	$45
Idaho	$14.75	$14.75	N/A	$29.50
Oregon	$8	$8	$8	$24
Utah	$10	$10	$10	$30
Total across all states				~$1,043/year

Over 10 years, a hunter applying in all eight point-based states has invested over $10,000 — before ever buying a license, traveling, or hunting. Over 20 years, that number pushes $20,000+. This financial reality is why strategic application matters. Throwing money at every state every year without a plan is expensive and inefficient.

Point Creep Explained

Point creep is the phenomenon where the number of points needed to draw a specific unit increases over time. It happens because:

1. More hunters join the point pool each year than leave it (through drawing or dropping out)
2. Tag numbers stay flat or decrease due to wildlife management decisions
3. Each year of point accumulation pushes the ceiling higher

Real-world example: Colorado Unit 61 for elk required 18 preference points for nonresidents to draw in 2015. By 2025, that number had climbed to 23+. At $100 per year, a hunter who started accumulating in 2005 has invested $2,000+ in points alone — and the target keeps moving.

This is why mid-tier units (drawing at 5–12 points) often represent better value. You hunt sooner, spend less on points, and still access quality hunting. The marginal improvement between a 25% success rate unit (drawing at 8 points) and a 32% success rate unit (drawing at 22 points) rarely justifies a 14-year wait and $1,400 in additional point costs.

Deep dive on preference vs. bonus points

Building a Multi-State Strategy

The most effective application approach treats western draws as a portfolio — diversifying across states, species, and point levels to ensure you hunt every year while building toward premium opportunities.

The Three-Tier Approach

Tier	Purpose	States	Strategy
Hunt Now	Tags you can fill this year	Colorado (OTC), Idaho (general), Montana (general draw)	Buy OTC tags or apply for high-odds general draws
Mid-Term (3–8 years)	Quality hunts on a reasonable timeline	Wyoming (random pool), Colorado (mid-tier units), Oregon	Target units drawing at 3–8 points while building
Long-Term (10+ years)	Trophy opportunity	Arizona, Nevada, Colorado (premium units)	Buy points annually, accept the long wait

Year-One Application Plan for a New Western Hunter

State	Species	Application	Strategy	Annual Cost
Colorado	Elk	OTC archery tag	Hunt this year, no draw needed — use a hunt application organizer to track deadlines	$672 (tag + habitat stamp)
Colorado	Elk	Limited-entry point only	Start building points for future	$100
Wyoming	Elk	Apply for 2nd-choice unit + random pool	Hunt if you draw, build points if not	$166
Montana	Elk	General NR draw	~50% draw odds, best general tag in the West	$50+ license
Idaho	Elk	General OTC tag	Hunt backcountry without a draw	$600+ (tag + license)
New Mexico	Elk	Draw application	Pure lottery, worth the $65 annually	$65
Arizona	Elk	Draw application	Start bonus points, low annual cost	$175
Nevada	Mule Deer	Draw application	Start building weighted bonus points	$15

This plan puts you in the field hunting elk this year (Colorado OTC or Idaho general) while simultaneously building points in six states. Within 3–5 years, you’ll start drawing mid-tier units. Within 10–15 years, premium tags start hitting.

Application Calendar

Missing a deadline wastes a year of point building. Here are the critical dates:

State	Species	Deadline	Notes
Wyoming	All big game	January 31	Requires full license purchase upfront
Utah	All big game	Late February	Online only
New Mexico	Elk, deer, antelope	Third Wednesday of March	No points to protect
Montana	Elk, deer, moose, sheep	March 15	Online through MyFWP
Colorado	Elk, deer, antelope, moose, sheep	First Tuesday of April	Online through CPW portal
Nevada	All big game	Mid-April	Online through NDOW
Oregon	All big game	May 15	Online through ODFW
Idaho	Controlled hunts	June 5	Online through IDFG
Arizona	Elk, antelope	Second Tuesday of June	Online through AZGFD portal

Full list of hunting application deadlines

Track all your deadlines with our application timeline tool

Common Draw Application Mistakes

Applying for the Wrong Unit

The biggest mistake new applicants make is applying for the highest-success-rate unit without considering draw odds. A unit with 35% success but 0.5% draw odds means you’ll wait 20+ years to hunt it. A unit with 20% success and 15% draw odds means you’re hunting in a few years. Success rate times draw odds gives you a more realistic “expected harvest” metric.

Ignoring Second and Third Choices

Many states allow second and third choice selections. Leaving these blank is leaving opportunity on the table. Choose second and third options in units you’d actually want to hunt — leftover tags and undersubscribed units can produce excellent hunting.

Group Applications

Group applications use the lowest member’s point total, which can significantly reduce everyone’s odds. In preference-point states, a group of four where one member has zero points means all four are treated as zero-point applicants. Only group-apply when everyone has comparable point levels.

Not Applying for the Random Pool

In Wyoming’s 75/25 system, every applicant goes into the random pool regardless of points. Some hunters skip premium units because they lack the points for the preference pool, not realizing they still have a shot in the random 25%.

Failing to Buy Points Annually

One missed year in a preference-point state means falling behind the curve permanently. If you’re going to participate in a state’s draw system, commit to buying points every single year — even years you don’t plan to hunt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between preference points and bonus points?

Preference points guarantee that applicants with more points draw before those with fewer. Bonus points increase your odds but don’t guarantee priority — a lower-point applicant can still draw ahead of you through random chance. Preference systems let you predict when you’ll draw; bonus systems only improve your probability.

How many states should I apply in?

Most serious western hunters apply in 5–8 states annually. Apply in every state where you’d actually accept and use a tag if drawn. The annual cost across all states runs roughly $700–1,100 depending on species. Don’t apply in states where you can’t afford or schedule the hunt if you draw — some states penalize you for not using a drawn tag.

Can I transfer or sell my preference points?

No. Preference and bonus points are non-transferable in every state. They’re tied to your hunter ID and cannot be sold, gifted, or inherited. If you stop applying, your points expire according to each state’s forfeiture policy (some states hold points indefinitely; others expire them after a set number of missed years).

What happens if I draw a tag and can’t go?

Policies vary by state. Most states allow you to return a tag before a specific deadline and either retain your points or lose only one year’s worth. Failing to return the tag by the deadline typically results in full point loss and sometimes a one-year application ban. Always check the specific state’s tag return policy before the deadline.

Which state has the best draw odds for elk?

For nonresidents, Idaho (OTC general tags, no draw needed) and Colorado (OTC archery and muzzleloader) offer immediate access without drawing. For draw hunts, Montana’s general NR elk tag draws at roughly 50% odds. New Mexico’s pure lottery gives every applicant an equal chance at world-class units. Wyoming’s 25% random pool gives zero-point applicants a shot at any unit in the state.

Is it worth buying points if I’m not going to hunt for several years?

Yes, if you’re committed long-term. Starting point accumulation early — even if you won’t hunt for 5–10 years — puts you ahead of hunters who start later. The annual cost is modest ($15–166 per state per species), and the points appreciate in value as competition increases. However, don’t buy points in states where you have no realistic plan to ever use them.

How do I check my current draw odds for a specific unit?

Each state publishes draw statistics — some annually, some in real time. Our Draw Odds Engine aggregates this data across states so you can check odds by unit, species, weapon type, and point level in one place.

What is the cheapest state to apply for elk?

Oregon ($8 application fee) and Idaho ($14.75 application fee) are the cheapest annual applications. New Mexico costs $65 but has no point system — every application is a fresh random chance at some of the best elk units in North America. Colorado and Wyoming are the most expensive for point maintenance ($100–166/year).

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Plan Your Application Strategy

• Draw Odds Engine — Check your odds by state, unit, and point level
• Application Timeline Planner — Track every deadline across all states
• Preference vs. Bonus Points Explained — Understand the difference
• Easiest States to Draw an Elk Tag — Where to start if you want to hunt now
• Hunt Cost Calculator — Budget for the hunt you’ll draw
• Western Hunting Application Strategy Books — Deep-dive reading on multi-state draw strategies