Just my $.02.
The dynamics for WY Moose have changed. And will yet change.
I am 58, non-resident, and have 19 points. My 2 older sons have 12 and 11, respectively. I dropped my daughter last year from WY moose with something like 7 or 8 PP - I don't remember exactly. My youngest son - just going with elk, deer and antelope.
With the increase in PP and tag prices, "point creep" will undoubtedly trend/jump higher each of the next few years. Why? Simply this - higher demand from those who have been banking points, by those who CAN draw and those who (based on the past years' data) THINK they can now draw. Yes, folks in the higher tiers will accelerate their decision to draw and be done. I am in that boat. Or, maybe they will just kindly continue to bank points until the year they decide they want to hunt. I guess those in the top tier always have that option.
I was encouraged over the past several years to apply for a tag in a Big Horns unit. I had always planned for "WY Moose 2018" on my long-term calendar. I had always assumed most of the same factors - same tag price, same costs, declining number of tags in wolf-infested units increasing demand in other units...
So, those with 19 points today could find themselves thinking they are a slam dunk to draw a Big Horns tag this year, 2018 - and not draw because tags went to those with 20 or higher. Then, next year they will have 20 PP and realize that perhaps they are not closer but FURTHER away from drawing - a year or 2 more out - because more "PP bankers" are applying. And the year after that when they have 21 points they will go "whoa! Looks like you needed 23 points to draw this year! I think I need to wait until I am in the top PP tier, or perhaps I should start putting in for another unit next year, one that doesn't require more PP than I have." And, guess what. Others doing the same thing will unwittingly work in tandem to bring new levels of creep to each and every one of the other units. That ripple effect will also influence the number of lower PP tier folks to drop out, regretting that they did not drop out earlier. Maybe.
How this will play out and where it will level out or IF it will ever level out is anybody's guess. Lots of factors.
Personally, I don't like a PP system. But, that is a different topic.
Ok. Sorry - that was more than $.02
Oh! I about forgot! I applied for WY Moose - today, the deadline. So, those of you who applied this year with 19 points hoping to draw a Big Horns tag (units 1/34/42) will be glad to know that your odds will be better. I did not apply for those units. Thank me later.
As for my 2 sons - I need to decide if there is ANY chance of them moving to WY and becoming residents in the next few years. I think I have until October before I need to make a decision on that. Realistically though, they are done with WY Moose PP.
