I calculate the ratio of applications to tags for the previous year on certain tags, like Moose, Bighorn and Goat. This makes it a higher percentage ordeal.

For deer, it is an all or nothing deal for me, with just one selection. If I don't draw that particular hunt, I'd rather save my points than pick a lesser hunt. Took me 5 years to draw my last hunt, but the 4X with eyeguards was worth it.

For elk, I upped my odds by completing the AHE Master hunter program. 5 cow tags in 6 years, and I have filled every one, except for the one I drew for this coming season. The state sets the rules, I suggest you play the game. Last year there were a few AHE cow tags that were not issued because they were not applied for. I have never shot a bull, and while it would be nice to have a neat set of horns, you can't eat them. I hunt for meat.

Deer and Moose points are squared. Elk, sheep, and goat are point for point. If you have 5 points for deer or moose, you actually have 25 tickets going into the pool, whereas for goat, sheep, and elk, you would just have five tickets in the pool.

Take a look at the hunts you are applying for. If the ratio of applications to tags is 20:1 or higher for deer, you are trying for a trophy area or an area with a lot of doe tags, and you should not expect to draw a tag every year, or even every three years. Try to find areas where the ratio is under 10:1, and that have sufficient habitat.

One thing I have also done is switch to muzzle loader for deer. There are a number of units I hunt that are any deer in the late season. Again, I hunt for meat primarily, so I have no issue dropping a doe. There is a reason does are open in a particular area. You also get well over a month to hunt and there is much less competition and pressure in the woods.

14 deer in 14 years. 5 elk in 8 years. Use the odds to your advantage. (Sorry for the ratio stuff, but I work with numbers all day. I'm a bit of a geek.)