I just signed up for 26 hunts. Hell yeah baby!!!!!

Thanks for the heads up.
Will be applying soon.

Appreciate the heads up. Just a couple of new hunts. Maybe this will be my lucky year that I draw the Bighirn.

Dang I looked earlier in the morning yesterday and it wasn’t open yet, guess I’ll be busy later today!

Alright, here we go!

I just donated 85 bucks

Game time!

Looks like no bighorn hunt again this year.

They have bighorn (guided) listed this year-- applications don't open for that until Sep-
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-category-details.phtml?OCat=BXX

You are going to win something so it wont be a donation.

The postcard hunts require a APH for the 2018 and 2019 season.

I hope so, id love to see some new parts of Texas.

No need to apply.
It's all a scam!!!

Just put in for 12 different hunts. 8+ loyalty points in all categories I put in for except GDA and GDM. While it will be nice to get drawn, I fully expect more loyalty points again this year.

anyone get drawn for antelope with less than 10 points.. I have some good categories with 13+ points.. got poop last year

The frustrating part with that is that you have no idea what it truly takes to get drawn from a loyalty point perspective - it's just a guess. What makes it frustrating is that TPWD has this information, but is either not keeping track of it or is not supplying it for other reasons. I inquired about this via email and was just told the following:

"I do apologize, we do not have reports that group the categories by odds for selection with loyalty points. We only have the statistics that are offered online. Those statistics should be undated in July when our 2018- 2019 drawn hunts system goes live."

If you look at other states, like Wyoming (Wyoming Draw Odds example), they provide these statistics. It makes it easier to make informed decisions when applying for hunts, and even more importantly, helps level set expectations for those applying.

The data wouldn't really be all that helpful because the Texas system is based on bonus points, rather than preference points like Wyoming. In Wyoming, the majority of the tags go to the people with the highest amount of points. If there are 10 tags, they will go to the 10 people with the most points. (there are a few set aside for a random drawing, but that isn't really relevant here).

In Texas, we use bonus points, which just means they put your name in the hat more time based on how many points you have. More points does increase your odds of being drawn, but only barely. If there are 2,000 applications for a tag, it doesn't really matter, statistically, if you have no points or 5 points. Even if you have say 15 points, the odds are still that you won't get drawn. Most likely, it will be someone with low points simply because most applicants have low numbers of points.

Interesting - I didn't realize the TX bonus points sort of equate to getting more tickets in the lottery jar with your name on them - not necessarily a higher preference/odd.. I think it used to be this way? Either way, thanks for clearing that up for me.

I drew antelope with 16 points with my nephew who had zero. So the group had 8 points. You can’t win if you don’t apply.

Well I did get drawn for Mule deer in Wyoming with one PP on my first time... but I would figure I’d get something good here too, lol.

You got very lucky

59 hunts entered so far and a few more to go. Hopefully I get 1 hunt selection at the least.

Hopefully, with entering into that many draws.

I really need to submit my entries. Last year was my first ever applying for any drawn hunts and I put in for 7 with the hope of getting drawn for just one. Was very lucky to be drawn for Laguna Atascosa and Balcones Canyonlands NWR hunts, but could only afford to do one. Decided on the Laguna with hopes of getting a Nilgai. Despite my ineptitude and a series of blunders and mistakes, I was fortunate to come home with a handsome young bull. That reminds me...need to pull some shanks out of the freezer to make some Osso Bucco later this week! I sure learned a lot that trip.

That's awesome that you landed that trip and came out successful. I was very proud of my Nilgai and still am today but you got yours on public land which makes it even better IMO. More applications doesn't necessarily mean you will win more. I put in around 50 draw hunts in a year and got picked for only 1 small hunt out of 3 years combined. So last year I got that 1 pick and the 2 previous years I got nothing.

My Dad and I have been putting in for hunts since I was 8 years old. I’m 31 now and have only been drawn 3 times. It’s a total crap shoot. Hopefully this year is the year.

You should definitely have some loyalty points built up and be able to pick and choose the ones you want the most!

This waiting for TPWD to send out the draw results is annoying, if it’s all computer based why after a deadline doesn’t the computer automatically do the draw and send out the emails? Does someone dress up in a tux, have a sit down lunch and then press draw on the computer?

Just checked and still not posted. Keeping fingers crossed for private lands pronghorn.

LMAO

Let me know if you see them post results and I will do the same. It's easier to come here than login over there.

Alligator and Alligator Management is in. More loyalty points for me.

Private Lands Dove is in. No bueno

Private Lands Pronghorn starting to come in

Arghhhh.... strikeout for the first round

Hot dang! I won a Private land pronghorn hunt for the West Dallam county ranch!

Yep I got Pending 2nd Draw on that as well.

Looks like I will be chasing a gator at Mad Island!!

Man that's awesome!

how many points you have to draw.. curious...

well more loyalty points.. almost to 20 on the first... sigh

Anyone have any tips to share about Rita Blanca pronghorn...

Same. Congrats to those above that drew.

10 points.

Did you draw?

Yes I drew Rita Blanca

Nice!

man i have more points than that.. loyalty points.. lol.. but Ive been the guy who drew with 1 point.. so

My first time applying for these draw & e-postcard hunts.
I applied for everything around the Greater Houston area.


So far I have a "Pending 2nd Draw" on a Dove Hunt in Wharton County.

One thing that I did notice was that it said N/A for my loyalty points on this hunt.

I got a "pending 2nd draw" on antelope with 1 loyalty point. Looks like one in a million.

So your saying there's a chance??

Congrats to the lucky guys who drew. Go make us proud and shoot something!

I got pending 2nd draw as well on two hunts. This is my first year can someone fill me in on what that means? I thought there was only one draw?

Basically the 20 people or however many people they picked get time to pay for their hunt. If only 18 people pay and 2 dont then the 2nd draw is for those 2 remaining hunts.

I see. I thought that’s what the standby hunts were.

Congrats to all who drew their goat or alligator tags and anything else they drew today!!!

Even if they get 20 people to pay that still doesnt mean 20 people will show up. Life happens and plans get canceled.

It means you make other plans for that time on the calendar. I'm right there with you...with 12 loyalty points.

Congrats! Hope you have a great hunt!

Make it count because this will probably be the last time in your life to get picked for it. And congrats

I do hope I get picked for something, but seeing this is my first year doing this, I'm expecting not to.

I do have to say, this is pretty cool.
It's very cheap compared to private leases and private guided trips.
If you don't get picked, it's not much of a loss.

I can't decide if I like the drawings being staggered or if I would rather the draw's happen over the course of two weeks. I am leaning towards I would rather my sadness come all at once opposed to over a period of time.

The suspense is terrible!

I agree that I would rather know all at once for the same reason including being able to better plan for the hunt. Also if you only have 5 vacation days available to use it would be helpful to know which hunts you won so you could back out on the ones you don't want if you can't do all of them.

I did not draw for Alligator (at Daughtery) or for any of the Antelope hunts
But at least that news was offset with good news, this morning.
I have been granted a permit to archery hunt in Colorado with a crossbow. An accident and ensuing arthritis has kept me from using standard archery equipment for the last few years. The process of getting that exemption is tedious, but has finally paid off. STOKED!!!

just more loyalty points for me. Congrats to all those that drew gators and goats

So mine all say application received. Does that mean they still haven’t drawn for my categories?

That’s right, below all that it will have the deadlines for all of the hunts.

Only 10 more days until the next draw......................

Congratulations to all drawn for Alligator and Antelope plus JWM for crossbow. If presence points were gold, I would be a rich man.

I dont know if I can make it another 10 days. The big draws are in sept and oct so it is really 40 days!! aarrghhh!!

Ugh stupid mathing......

One more week to go for the next draw...............I got three in for the exotics.

Did my donating to the TPWD. Hope is strong!

I'm in for $97 dollars worth. First year I was picked for fairfield, second year for Colorado Bend. Then lost out last two years even though I picked three times the draws.

4 more days to go..............

1 in pecarries
4 in anterless and
3 in exotic for me

Not too excited about these picks here. The chance at a nice axis buck or an axis meat hoggin hunt might be nice. But we will see what happens.

The good picks come in September and October of course.