Thoughts on the "wilderness" hunts.

[Bitter24]

So I have realized I will probably never be able to hit max points for sheep here in Arizona. Looking at the regs and doing some research, to try to make the best guess to "win the lottery" and draw a sheep tag. Does anyone know how the draw odds are for codes 6016, 6041, 6042, 6043, and 6044.

 

I know its still a long shot to draw a tag, just trying to sort through pages upon pages of data to make my choices. I would assume (at least if it was me) I wouldnt put in for those units if I had or was close to max bp's. I know the sheep densities are low in those units, and its a brutal hunt. Good news is I am younger and can hunt the whole season if I was lucky enough to pull a tag. I understand these hunts are back pack hunts and in extreme country.

 

What are your guys thoughts on these hunts? Or can someone point me in the direction where I can do more research on these units?

 

Thanks and good luck to all in the draw.

 

Bitter

[Big Browns]

I don't know anything about those area's. What I do know is if you don't have max points or enough to be in the bonus pass your chances of drawing are almost the same for any unit. Most are less than 1%.

[Northern Pintail]

Big Brown is right but there are still "good" odds out there. Considering its a sheep tag. I probably look at the draw differently than most but have pulled some pretty premium tags with less than 10 points, sheep included.

[Bitter24]

Northern pintail and Big brown,

 

Yes I know odds arent good all around. But as Northern Pintail stated the odds are the odds, and depending on the unit better then some others. I would rather have 0.8%-2% chance of drawing vs 0% for certain units. Northern Pintail I am trying to do what you did. I understand I wont hunt unit 22 for sheep, but I am ok with that. Id rather unit a lesser wanted unit and bust my a**, do I need the next record book sheep no I dont. Would it be awrsome, well duh. Though I just want to sheep hunt, and slim odds are better then none.

[208muley]

Try the cabeza hunts!!! They are rough but there are sheep in there that never see a hunter. You will earn it but if you are up for it then try for the tag!!

[Heat]

Start going to the Sheep Clinics and talk to everyone that will stop and listen for a second. You never know who might be able to help you out! Lots of guys who have already killed their ram are dying to go again and help someone else.

 

Here's the draw odds you were after:

 

6016 - 1 tag, 140 1st Choice Applicants or .007 or .7%

 

6041 - 2 tags, 111 1st Choice Applicants or .018 or 1.8%

 

6042 - 7 tags, 321 1st Choice Applicants or .0218 or 2.18%

 

There were no hunts for 6043 or 6044 last year. You can probably divide the numbers above in half to get a wild guess. Remember your true odds will be even less than this since the drawing will also look at second choices as well, although that may or may not increase your overall odds of drawing a tag.

 

Pick units where you know you will have a chance at killing, even if that means less than the biggest rams around. That's just my opinion.

 

To maximize your odds try to pick units that did not have its tags all selected from the Max Point portion of the drawing or you might be out of contention before they even look at your app. The unit I drew and hunted had all of its tags go to the random part of the drawing so that maximized my odds. I know this because I had tag number one and I only had 8 bonus points when I drew, way less than max! I also applied and drew when it was still paper only apps so that eliminated a lot of guys that did not front their money.

[Bitter24]

Heat,

 

Thanks so much, that was the info I was looking for. Now I can factor that into the rest of my research for the draw. I appreciate it very much. I know I will never hunt the great hunts, which I am ok with. I just want to sheep hunt.

[Heat]

Best of luck to you my friend!