Preference Points vs. Bonus Points

Western states face a basic math problem: more hunters want tags than the habitat can sustainably support. Colorado might have quality elk hunting in a given unit for 500 hunters per season, but 10,000 people want to hunt there. Someone has to lose.

A pure random draw treats every applicant equally, which sounds fair until you consider the hunter who has applied unsuccessfully for twenty years standing beside the first-time applicant. Point systems address this by rewarding persistence. The longer you apply without drawing, the better your odds become.

This creates a different kind of fairness. Rather than equal odds each year, you get predictable progression toward an eventual tag. For hunters willing to invest years of applications, point systems guarantee an eventual payoff. For hunters who just want to hunt now, the systems can feel like a barrier.

No system is perfect. Random draws frustrate dedicated hunters who never seem to catch a break. Preference systems create multi-decade waits for premium units. Bonus systems fall somewhere between, rewarding loyalty while preserving some element of luck. Understanding how each works helps you choose where to invest your time and money.

Preference point systems operate on a simple principle: applicants with the most points draw first. There is no luck involved in the selection order. If you have 15 preference points and someone else has 14, you draw before they do, period.

This creates a queue-like structure. New applicants go to the back of the line. Each year you do not draw, you move forward. When you reach the front, you get your tag. The timeline depends on how many tags are available and how long the queue has grown.

In a pure preference system, the draw proceeds in rounds. First, the system identifies all applicants with maximum points. If 100 tags are available and 80 people have maximum points, all 80 draw tags. The remaining 20 tags go to the next highest point level.

As long as demand exceeds supply, preference points function as a countdown timer. You can calculate roughly when you will draw based on current point levels and tag allocations. If 200 people have more points than you and 50 tags are issued annually, you are looking at about four years minimum.

Randomness only enters when applicants tie at the same point level and there are not enough tags for everyone in that tier. Among those tied applicants, a random draw determines who gets tags. But between point levels, higher points always win.

Most states that use preference points set aside a small percentage of tags for random drawing among all applicants. This prevents the system from becoming completely deterministic and gives new hunters a chance at drawing without waiting decades.

The main advantage of preference points is predictability. You can research point levels for specific units and estimate when you will draw. This allows long-term planning. If you need 18 points for a trophy mule deer unit and currently have 12, you know you are roughly six years away.

Preference systems reward commitment. Hunters who apply consistently year after year eventually reach the front of the line. There is no scenario where someone with zero points beats someone with 20 points, which feels fair to those who have invested heavily.

The downsides are significant. Wait times for premium units can extend past 20 years. By the time you finally draw that once-in-a-lifetime elk tag, you might be too old to hike into the backcountry. Preference points also create a barrier to entry. New hunters see the point requirements and give up before starting, which is not great for hunter recruitment.

The queue structure also makes the system vulnerable to point creep. As more hunters enter the pool each year than tags are issued, the wait time continuously grows. Some units may never stabilize because applications keep outpacing attrition.

Bonus point systems take a different approach. Instead of creating a strict queue, they increase your odds in a random draw. Think of it like buying extra lottery tickets. More tickets mean better odds, but someone with one ticket can still beat someone with a hundred.

This preserves the possibility of drawing early while still rewarding long-term commitment. A first-time applicant might draw a coveted tag on sheer luck, but someone with 15 bonus points is far more likely to succeed.

In a basic bonus point system, each point gives you one additional entry in the draw. With zero points, you get one entry. With five points, you get six entries (your base entry plus five bonus entries). The draw is random among all entries, so more entries mean better odds but no guarantee.

This can be frustrating for hunters who accumulate many points only to watch newcomers draw ahead of them. But it also means you always have a chance, even in your first year of applying.

The actual odds calculation depends on the total number of entries in the pool. If 10,000 total entries compete for 100 tags, each entry has roughly a 1% chance. If you have 20 bonus points (21 entries), your odds are about 2.1%. Not great, but better than the base 0.1% you would have without points.

Several states use a squared bonus point system that dramatically increases the value of accumulated points. Instead of each point adding one entry, your total points are squared to determine your number of entries.

With a basic bonus system, 10 points gives you 11 entries. With squared bonus points, 10 points gives you 100 entries (10 times 10). This creates exponential growth in draw odds as you accumulate points.

The squared system rewards patience much more aggressively. A hunter with 15 points has 225 entries. A hunter with 5 points has only 25 entries. The 15-point hunter is nine times more likely to draw, not three times more likely as in a basic system.

Montana, Arizona, and Nevada all use squared bonus points. This means your first few years of applications do relatively little for your odds, but the value compounds significantly as you cross into double-digit point levels.

Bonus points keep hope alive for everyone. You might draw in year one or year twenty. This unpredictability can be exciting or maddening depending on your personality. Some hunters love the suspense. Others would rather have the certainty of knowing exactly when they will draw.

The system is friendlier to new hunters. Someone just starting out has a real chance at drawing a tag, which encourages participation. This helps maintain hunter numbers and the political support for continued hunting opportunities.

The frustration comes from the randomness. You can accumulate 20 bonus points and still watch zero-point applicants draw ahead of you year after year. Statistically this should even out over time, but individual luck varies wildly. Forums are full of hunters who built points for two decades and never drew, while their buddy drew in year two.

Bonus systems also make draw odds harder to predict. In a preference system, you know roughly when you will reach the front of the line. In a bonus system, you can only calculate probabilities. You might draw next year. You might not draw for another 15 years. Both outcomes are possible.

Several states combine elements of both systems to balance predictability with opportunity. The most common hybrid allocates some percentage of tags to preference-style drawing (max points first) and the remainder to random drawing among all applicants.

Wyoming uses a 75/25 split for most species. Seventy-five percent of tags go to applicants with maximum points. The remaining 25% are drawn randomly from all applicants regardless of point level. This gives max-point holders a very high probability of drawing while still letting newcomers have a shot at the random pool.

Colorado uses weighted preference, where your points do not create a strict queue but heavily weight the odds in your favor. It functions somewhat like bonus points but with preference-style certainty at the highest point levels.

These hybrid approaches try to give established hunters reasonable certainty while keeping the door open for new participants. Whether they succeed depends on your perspective and where you are in the point-building journey.

Each western state runs its draw system differently. The details matter enormously when building a multi-state point strategy. Here is how the major destination states handle their big game draws.

Colorado uses weighted preference points for elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, bear, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep. The system heavily favors high-point applicants while preserving some randomness.

Non-residents pay $50 per species per year for preference points. This adds up quickly if you are building points for multiple species. Points can be purchased without applying for a tag, which is useful when you are not ready to hunt but want to keep building.

Colorado's draw has become increasingly competitive for premium units. Trophy-quality areas may require 20 or more preference points, representing two decades of applications and $1,000 or more in point fees alone. However, many units remain accessible with fewer points, and some over-the-counter archery elk opportunities require no points at all.

Critical rule: Colorado preference points expire after 10 consecutive years without applying for a hunt. You cannot simply buy points indefinitely. You must eventually apply for a tag.

Application deadline is typically early April, with results announced in late May or early June.

Wyoming operates a 75/25 hybrid system for most species. Seventy-five percent of available tags go to applicants with maximum points through a preference-style drawing. The remaining 25% are drawn randomly from all applicants.

This means max-point holders have excellent odds but are not guaranteed to draw. Meanwhile, any applicant can draw from the random pool regardless of point level. The system balances rewarding persistence with maintaining opportunity.

Critical rule: Wyoming has a use-it-or-lose-it policy. If you miss applying for two consecutive years, you lose ALL accumulated preference points. This is more aggressive than most states and requires careful attention to deadlines. Set multiple calendar reminders.

Non-resident costs are substantial. Elk tags run $692, deer $374, and you also pay a $21.50 conservation stamp plus application fees. Building points across multiple species for multiple years represents a serious financial investment.

Application deadline is typically January 31 for most species, with results in May. The early deadline catches some hunters off guard who are used to spring application periods.

Montana uses squared bonus points for limited-entry permits including moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and certain deer and elk units. General deer and elk tags are available over-the-counter for residents and through a separate system for non-residents.

The squared bonus system means your points get multiplied by themselves to determine draw entries. Five points equals 25 entries. Ten points equals 100 entries. This creates strong incentive to keep building points rather than applying for long-shot draws early.

Montana is notably expensive for non-resident big game hunters. The Big Game Combo license runs $1,278 and includes deer and elk privileges. This is among the highest license costs in the nation, which affects the non-resident applicant pool.

For residents, Montana offers exceptional value. The resident hunting license at $26 includes deer and elk tags. Residents benefit from the squared bonus system without the substantial non-resident fee burden.

Application deadline is typically June 1 for most species, with results in mid-July.

Arizona uses squared bonus points for elk, most deer units, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, bison, bear, and javelina. The squared calculation dramatically improves odds as you accumulate points.

Non-resident applicants face tough odds for most species because Arizona does not cap non-resident participation the way some states do. This means you are competing against a large pool of applicants.

Arizona offers over-the-counter archery deer tags in many units, providing a way to hunt without entering the draw. This is an underutilized opportunity for hunters focused solely on the draw system.

The state runs on a 365-day license cycle starting from purchase date, which is unusual. Your license is valid for exactly one year from when you buy it, not a fixed calendar period.

Application deadline is typically in June for most species. Arizona is known for trophy-quality animals, and the draw competition reflects that reputation.

Nevada uses squared bonus points but combines this with a strict 10% non-resident quota for most species. Only 10% of available tags can go to non-residents, making Nevada among the hardest states to draw as an out-of-state hunter.

The squared bonus system helps if you commit to the long game. At 15 points (225 entries), your odds are dramatically better than at 5 points (25 entries). But you are competing against other high-point non-residents for a very small allocation.

Nevada produces exceptional trophy mule deer, which drives intense draw competition. Hunters know the quality and apply accordingly. Expect to build significant points before drawing premium deer units.

Non-resident elk tags cost $1,200, and deer tags run $240 plus the $155 hunting license. The financial commitment is substantial, especially when building points over many years.

Application deadline is typically April, with the license year running March through February.

Building points across multiple states requires strategic thinking about timelines, costs, and realistic goals. Here are approaches that make sense for different situations.

The long game approach: Pick two or three states with species you really want to hunt, and commit to building points for 15 to 20 years. This works best for hunters in their 30s or 40s who can afford the wait. Focus on states with preference systems or squared bonus where your persistence will pay off predictably.

The opportunist approach: Apply everywhere with lower point requirements and be flexible about which state you actually hunt. Take tags when they come rather than holding out for specific units. This gets you hunting sooner but may mean less trophy-quality opportunities.

The hybrid approach: Build serious points in one or two premium destinations while taking OTC or quick-draw opportunities elsewhere. Hunt Colorado archery elk over-the-counter while building Wyoming preference points. Draw Arizona archery deer while accumulating Montana bonus points for moose.

Consider your age honestly. If you are 55 and starting from zero, a 20-year point build may not make sense. Focus on states with random draws or low-point units where you can actually hunt in the next five years.

Spreading too thin is the most common mistake. Building points in seven states means seven sets of application fees and point costs but no state where you have competitive odds. Pick your battles and focus your resources.

Ignoring deadlines costs hunters points every year. Wyoming's January deadline is particularly easy to miss. Set calendar reminders for each state, and submit applications early rather than waiting until deadline day.

Applying for trophy units too early burns points without reasonable draw odds. If a unit requires 15 points to draw and you have 3, applying there wastes your point for the year. Take a point-only application instead.

Forgetting about non-resident quotas leads to unrealistic expectations. Nevada's 10% cap means even high-point non-residents face difficult odds. Factor quotas into your state selection.

Not hunting while building points turns point accumulation into an end in itself. The goal is to hunt, not to collect points. Take OTC opportunities and lower-point units while building toward premium draws.

The decision to apply for a tag and risk losing accumulated points deserves careful thought. Points have value only when converted into hunting opportunity. Hoarding them forever defeats the purpose.

Apply when you reach the point threshold for your target unit. Research historical draw data to understand how many points typically guarantee or near-guarantee success. Once you hit that level, there is little reason to keep waiting.

Apply when life circumstances favor hunting. If this year you have time off work, a good group to hunt with, and money for outfitting, that might outweigh waiting two more years for slightly better odds.

Apply before age or health limits your ability to hunt. A backcountry elk tag does you no good if you cannot hike into the unit. Be realistic about physical demands and your future capabilities.

Apply if you are reaching a state's point expiration threshold. Colorado's 10-year rule means you must eventually apply. Do not let administrative deadlines force your hand at a bad time.

Calculate what your points actually cost before committing to long-term building. The numbers can be sobering.

Colorado charges $50 per species per year for non-resident preference points. Building elk points for 15 years costs $750 before you ever draw a tag. Add deer, pronghorn, and moose, and you might spend $3,000 or more just on points.

Wyoming charges application fees plus preference point fees. Between the two, building points for one species costs roughly $100 to $150 per year depending on the species.

Tag costs themselves are substantial. A Wyoming non-resident elk tag is $692. Montana's Big Game Combo runs $1,278. Add travel, lodging, and potentially guide or outfitter fees, and a western hunt can easily cost $5,000 to $15,000.

Does this make point building a bad investment? Not necessarily. The opportunity to hunt quality western big game is worth real money to those who value it. But go in with eyes open about total costs rather than treating point fees as the only expense.