The draw application season is here again. I guess I am fortunate to have 3 sons who love to hunt. So we have put in for the draws as they become available.

Now that New Mexico is requiring the tag fees to be paid up front, it has become a huge financial burden to put in for tags in premium areas. For example, putting in for a few of my favorite things in NM requires around SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS per applicant. Times four. Wyoming is pretty close to the same commitment.

At the end of the day, I am questioning my sanity for fronting so much resources in hopes of drawing, then hoping to find a good outfitter, then hoping for the right weather during our hunt, then hoping for some good luck.

Frankly, my credit card doesn't have a high enough limit to put in for the draws for each specie we hope to hunt in every state. Sure, it's a loan to the state and you hope you dont get your money back, but the intitial oulay for the troop can top 50K in a hurry.

I have a few that are must apply, but I have to give up some opportunity too. Like Wyoming Moose - you can do bigger, better, less expensive in BC. Like ANT in NM, who wants 1-5% draw odds?

So my question is, are you still playing the draw game full tilt, or have you found a better alternative?

Best-

Wow, quite a bit of dough to lay out!

This will be my first year making any out of state draw applications. Have an invitation to head to Kansas for some whitetail hunting on a coworker's family farm (5000acres), pending successful draw. Can't apply till April 1, working through the details in the meanwhile.

I just call them my non-interest bearing saveings accounts.

I for one have given up on the draw process. The states have done nothing but turn it into one big scam. If i cant buy an over the counter tag ill get some kind of land owner tag. Or, ill spend my money in canada. This may excempt me from ever hunting some of the more prime areas but i dont care.
Can you say Moose / mtn. goat combo!

As a Canadian that puts in for a couple draws down south it is a hassle to some extent. I keep an American funds account for my tag money and it doesn't allow any interest to be earned. Last year I put in for antelope in Wyoming and was successful, we had a great trip, and it is one of the more "economical" tags for out-of-staters at just under $300. I also put in for bighorns in the Missouri river breaks. The amount of interest they must make off of that draw makes me cringe.

I am wanting to put in for ibex in NM but I'm pretty discouraged by the forced upfront license purchase.

I'm considering using Cabela's T.A.G.S. this year. They float the tag fee and you don't pay for it unless you are drawn. I just don't like the idea of paying a commission to someone to provide me with info that I already know. Anyone have any experience with them?

I use USO because I don't have time to deal with it. I have taken most of the "up front" hits already so it's usually just a few hundred in application fees, etc. each year now.

I realize there are some hard feelings out there on that topic, that's about all i know about it. I started using them a few years back on the advice of some very experienced colleagues and can't really change course now.

I just buy preference points every year until I am basically guaranteed a tag. I don't have to front money for the tags, it is easier to plan for the hunt, and I hunt elsewhere in the world until i am at least 50% sure I will draw in NA.

I currently have 9 Moose Points for Wyoming and 11 Sheep Points. But kinda lacking the cash this year. But hopefully in the next year or two I will throw down the money and draw.

I play the game every year and usually get one good tag each year. Some, like NM, can get a little expensive but you usually get it back in a month or so. Don't worry about the interest, they can't get more than one percent for short term deposits. So that is one twelveth of one percent for the short term.

Ditto on Ty's post regarding camel's fleas. Woulde not endorse George to handle your money or tags.