The wait begins

D8hntr · Jun 2, 2024

Tomorrow the wait begins. Draw results in a couple of weeks. I put in for G6 out of convenience and being close to home but I'll probably end up with D8. Who all put in and what zone?

Solanoslayer · Jun 2, 2024

D8hntr said:
Tomorrow the wait begins. Draw results in a couple of weeks. I put in for G6 out of convenience and being close to home but I'll probably end up with D8. Who all put in and what zone?

I put in for a21 been wanting to hunt it for a while but if i dont get drawn i might switch it up next year.

PCPython · Jun 3, 2024

X5B for a buddy and I with 18 points.
Lassen antelope max
Clark/Kingstons sheep max
NE elk, looking for a random as I've already drawn NE archery elk. Terrible odds but I gotta try.

Snoopdogg · Jun 3, 2024

Cali has been pretty quick. I don't think they took their 10 days the last couple off years.

Still waiting for my bighorn and elk tags.

chrisamx · Jun 3, 2024

A26, but need a random draw. Probably end up with A31 and D13

highsierra · Jun 3, 2024

With all the time I spent last year chasing sheep in the Whites, I decided to choose X9C for my first choice on the deer application. My thinking is that I should draw the tag every other year or so and this will keep me motivated to continue my scouting efforts in hopes of drawing that sheep tag for myself some day (hopefully in a couple of years when the population of trophy rams rebounds). Might as well scout for sheep with a deer tag in hand!

Elk: Lone Pine Bull
Pronghorn: Likely Tables

Rie bread · Jun 3, 2024

highsierra said:
With all the time I spent last year chasing sheep in the Whites, I decided to choose X9C for my first choice on the deer application. My thinking is that I should draw the tag every other year or so and this will keep me motivated to continue my scouting efforts in hopes of drawing that sheep tag for myself some day (hopefully in a couple of years when the population of trophy rams rebounds). Might as well scout for sheep with a deer tag in hand!

Elk: Lone Pine Bull
Pronghorn: Likely Tables

post up if you draw, can steer you to a unique location

highsierra · Jun 3, 2024

Everyone who has applied in the Big Game Drawing should take some time to examine the data CA DFW provides regarding the preference point breakdown of applicants for each specific hunt.

Good stuff here:

Big Game Hunting Drawing Statistics

PCPython · Jun 3, 2024

I scoured through the draw statistics pretty good before applying this year due to what was published in the big game digest. Some of the info published in the digest was a mile off compared to the draw statistics.

highsierra · Jun 3, 2024

PCPython said:
I scoured through the draw statistics pretty good before applying this year due to what was published in the big game digest. Some of the info published in the digest was a mile off compared to the draw statistics.

Yep…. What I like about the statistics charts over the published info in the Big Game Digest is that these charts show the breakdown of how many people have max points, one under, two under, three under and so on all the way down the line. Helps you plan for when zones will “turn over” to the next points tier.

Smithb9841 · Jun 3, 2024

Put me and my dad in for X6B. Never been in the area and really wanted to wait a couple more Years for x12 but I don’t see my dad hunting that much longer so figured we
Would cash them in now and have one last memorable hunt before it’s too late

Snoopdogg · Jun 3, 2024

PCPython said:
I scoured through the draw statistics pretty good before applying this year due to what was published in the big game digest. Some of the info published in the digest was a mile off compared to the draw statistics.

If you downloaded the first Big Game Digest, it had last years info. Subsequent versions updated it. Some folks here made that point and sure enough....well, God bless those state workers.

PCPython · Jun 3, 2024

Sure would be nice if they could get it right the first time around.

D8hntr · Jun 3, 2024

PCPython said:
Sure would be nice if they could get it right the first time around.

This is California, so..........!!

huckleberryhi · Jun 3, 2024

PCPython said:
X5B for a buddy and I with 18 points.
Lassen antelope max
Clark/Kingstons sheep max
NE elk, looking for a random as I've already drawn NE archery elk. Terrible odds but I gotta try.

how was that archery hunt?

LIK2HNT · Jun 3, 2024

huckleberryhi said:
how was that archery hunt?

Just because CA leads in technology does not mean CA government uses it

PCPython · Jun 3, 2024

huckleberryhi said:
how was that archery hunt?

PM Sent

Buck300 · Jun 4, 2024

X7A and X7B it’s a long shot but you’ll miss every shot you don’t take and probably these as well

Northca04 · Jun 4, 2024

Buck300 said:
X7A and X7B it’s a long shot but you’ll miss every shot you don’t take and probably these as well

You have absolutely 0 chance to draw either of those on your 2nd choice, 1st choice is all that matters.

Buck300 · Jun 5, 2024

Northca04 said:
You have absolutely 0 chance to draw either of those on your 2nd choice, 1st choice is all that matters.

So what is the point of having 3 draw choices then? I’m new to the Cali tag application process

kabose1 · Jun 5, 2024

1st choice swing for the fence might get lucky
2nd choice more conservative but hey it might happen
3rd choice yeah that's the Tag you will get

Northca04 · Jun 5, 2024

Buck300 said:
So what is the point of having 3 draw choices then? I’m new to the Cali tag application process

Honestly there should only be 2 choices, first choice is the zone your hoping to hunt one year (X, M, G zones) and second choice is the tag you will end up with 90% of the time, D zone for me.

D8hntr · Jun 5, 2024

Northca04 said:
Honestly there should only be 2 choices, first choice is the zone your hoping to hunt one year (X, M, G zones) and second choice is the tag you will end up with 90% of the time, D zone for me.

All I ever fill in are 1st and 2nd choice. I know I'll get the D8 tag. No need for a 3rd choice.

Buck300 · Jun 5, 2024

Northca04 said:
Honestly there should only be 2 choices, first choice is the zone your hoping to hunt one year (X, M, G zones) and second choice is the tag you will end up with 90% of the time, D zone for me.

I was told if I don’t get either of those tags I’ll end up with a D3-5 tag or does that still need to be one of my choices. I can always do an over the counter tag for that.

D8hntr · Jun 5, 2024

Buck300 said:
I was told if I don’t get either of those tags I’ll end up with a D3-5 tag or does that still need to be one of my choices. I can always do an over the counter tag for that.

If D3-5 was your 3rd choice and you didn't draw anything, then yes, you'll get it. Otherwise, you can buy it OTC.

peez3006 · Jun 5, 2024

I have drawn my second choice archery tag twice, and kept my points. Second and third choice only matter if there are tags left, after everyone’s first choices are considered. It happens for certain hunts.
Don

BradA · Jun 5, 2024

When does everyone think results will be posted, I know they have to do it by the 14th but they are typically faster. I know it doesn’t matter for myself as I know what I will draw and I’m sure I won’t have any surprises.

Solanoslayer · Jun 5, 2024

BradA said:
When does everyone think results will be posted, I know they have to do it by the 14th but they are typically faster. I know it doesn’t matter for myself as I know what I will draw and I’m sure I won’t have any surprises.

im guessing the 10th

Solanoslayer · Jun 5, 2024

peez3006 said:
I have drawn my second choice archery tag twice, and kept my points. Second and third choice only matter if there are tags left, after everyone’s first choices are considered. It happens for certain hunts.
Don

what archery hunt did you draw as a second choice?

oilcan · Jun 5, 2024

Solanoslayer said:
im guessing the 10th

Yep could be the 10th or 11th at the latest.

BradA · Jun 5, 2024

Solanoslayer said:
im guessing the 10th

That’s what I thought as well

BradA · Jun 5, 2024

Good luck gentlemen! I know we all need it!

D8hntr · Jun 5, 2024

BradA said:
Good luck gentlemen! I know we all need it!

Thanks!

Rie bread · Jun 5, 2024

peez3006 said:
I have drawn my second choice archery tag twice, and kept my points. Second and third choice only matter if there are tags left, after everyone’s first choices are considered. It happens for certain hunts.
Don

Shhhhhhh

chrisamx · Jun 6, 2024

Email from DFG this morning says by the 15th we should be realizing our collective disappointment.

Snoopdogg · Jun 6, 2024

I'm hoping this is just their standard and it'll be a little earlier.

PCPython · Jun 6, 2024

Last year they were released on Tuesday the 13th which was seven business days after the deadline. Hopefully we see results by the 11th.

Solanoslayer · Jun 6, 2024

Rie bread said:
Shhhhhhh

i was able to figure it out without being told lol

Skidmore · Jun 6, 2024

Any nonresidents applied for California?

PCPython · Jun 10, 2024

Be honest, who has checked their account for draw results?

ELDO · Jun 10, 2024

PCPython said:
Be honest, who has checked their account for draw results?

Been waiting a long time for X5B. 18.5 pts party of 2. Super anxious

PCPython · Jun 10, 2024

ELDO said:
Been waiting a long time for X5B. 18.5 pts party of 2. Super anxious

I also applied for X5B with a buddy. I have 20 points but he only has 16 so we're behind you. Time will tell.

ELDO · Jun 10, 2024

PCPython said:
I also applied for X5B with a buddy. I have 20 points but he only has 16 so we're behind you. Time will tell.

Were you one of the 60 who applied with 17pts last yr?

PCPython · Jun 10, 2024

No, I've been applying for points only for the past several years. I drew X5B four times in an eight year stretch. Things have definitely changed since I was there last time.

grizz19 · Jun 10, 2024

ELDO said:
Been waiting a long time for X5B. 18.5 pts party of 2. Super anxious

I hunted X5b a few years back. If you guys draw reach out I can send some info your way.

ELDO · Jun 10, 2024

grizz19 said:
I hunted X5b a few years back. If you guys draw reach out I can send some info your way.

Nice! I appreciate it. I have never hunted X5B but plan on doing some scouting in August if we get drawn. We do a lot of walking

Skykarp · Jun 10, 2024

X5B is a fun and frustrating hunt. Got to hunt it a few years in a row as we cashed points in… hoping to make it back one day.

Spare tires and mouth guards for some of those roads

.

PCPython · Jun 10, 2024

If we draw we're planning to take horses.

HuntinEngineer530 · Jun 10, 2024

I hunted X5B the year after it burned (2013). Some areas looked like the moon they were just barren dirt and I'd almost bet they still have little to no vegetation. These areas were very void of water, springs, etc. Surprisingly, the biggest bucks we saw down were right off the road.