Lottery FAQ
Weighted Lottery FAQs
What species are covered by the weighted lottery?
First lotteries for deer gun, muzzleloader deer, pronghorn, swan, and spring and fall wild turkey.
How do I find out how many bonus (preference) points I have?
Current bonus points can be found on the Department's Online Services website.
How do bonus points accrue in the weighted lottery?
An applicant unsuccessful in drawing his or her first choice permit in the first lottery this year receives a bonus point for next year's lottery.
Note that in years 2, 3 and 4, the points are doubled; and, for years 5 and beyond, they are cubed to increase the applicant's chances of drawing a permit.
Examples
Calculation: Existing Bonus Points * Multiplier + 1 (the current year's application) = Total times your application goes in lottery
Year | Calculation | Total Times Your Application Goes Into the Lottery |
|---|---|---|
1 | 0 * 0 + 1 | 1 |
2 | 1 * 2 + 1 | 3 |
3 | 2 * 2 + 1 | 5 |
4 | 3 * 2 + 1 | 7 |
5 | 4³ + 1 | 65 |
6 | 5³ + 1 | 126 |
7 | 6³ + 1 | 217 |
8 | 7³ + 1 | 344 |
9 | 8³ + 1 | 513 |
10 | 9³ + 1 | 730 |
In the previous example isn't the applicant guaranteed a permit in year four or five?
No. There is no guarantee. The lottery is a random drawing. In most cases when an applicant reaches this point he or she is likely to draw a permit. However, for some licenses, particularly antlered mule deer, where demand for tags vastly exceeds supply, many applicants have the same number of bonus points and thus, even for those with many points, there is considerable competition.
Why do applications ask for a social security number and do I have to give it?
Yes. State law requires social security numbers on all license applications in order for the state to receive human services funding from the federal government.
If I receive a permit for my second choice license, do I lose my bonus points?
No, bonus points apply only to first choice in the first lottery.
Can I purchase a bonus point?
As per state law resident hunters, who do not want to receive a hunting license issued by lottery, may purchase one bonus point for a fee that is the same as the respective license.
If I have bonus points and apply with a party, how does this affect me?
On party applications the person with fewest points sets the level for the entire application. Applicants with more bonus points than others in the party have a better chance applying separately.
Example of Explaining Bonus Points
Using deer as the example, though turkey works the same way, this is how lotteries work.
If you fail to draw your first license choice in any given year, you receive a bonus point. You do not have to apply in the same unit, or for the same deer type each year, to qualify. You get an additional bonus point each year you apply and do not receive your first license choice. You maintain your accumulated bonus points as long as you apply in the first drawing at least once every two years.
You receive additional chances in the drawing for each bonus point accumulated. For points one through three, you are entered in the drawing two times the number of points you have. So, if you have two points you would get four additional chances to be drawn, compared to a person who got his or her first choice the previous year. If you’re both competing for the same license, you have five chances, he or she has one.
When you accumulate four or more points, the number of additional chances is determined by cubing your bonus points. So, when you have four points, you will be in the drawing 64 additional times, 125 times if you have five points, and so on. Bonus points are accumulated as long as you do not draw your first license choice and apply in the first drawing at least every other year. You do not receive bonus points in years you do not apply.
Each drawing is still random, but the more bonus points you have, the better your odds. When you receive your first license choice, you lose your bonus points and start over. Bonus points can only be earned, or used, in the first drawing for each species in each year.
The license lottery consists of four separate drawings, one for each choice on the application. First, we hold a drawing for the first unit/first deer choice. When those are issued, we draw for the first unit/second deer choice, then the second unit/first deer choice, and finally the second unit/second deer choice.