Error Applying for Mule Deer license: Will I get my Preference Points Back

Freeborn · Jul 14, 2016

This fall a buddy and I apply for a Wyoming special Antelope and Special Mule Deer tag in zone B. We are planning a casual DIY hunt on public land. Unfortunately when we applied we made an error in applying and used our 5 preference points by mistake. Those preference points were being accumulated to do a guided hunt in Western Wyoming.

After we got notified of our success I noticed my preference points were used and I contacted Wyoming fish and game. I wrote their review board a letter explaining our error and that it was an honest mistake and we would like our points back. We offered to forfeit the deer license if necessary.

What are our chances of getting our points back? Has anybody had any experience with this or recommendations on how we can get our points back?

Thanks Much!

oilcan · Jul 14, 2016

Sorry but I'd say slim and none.

TOPGUN · Jul 14, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Jul-14-16 AT 09:23PM (MST)[p]Sorry Freeborn, but when you have PPs and apply for a tag in any full price draw and draw that tag on your first choice your PPs are used and go to 0. The only time you don't lose your PPs is if you don't draw a first choice tag. That's how the system works and you needed to know that BEFORE you applied. It's too bad you didn't ask before applying, as there are plenty of people like myself that would have helped you. You obviously had no idea how the system works if you went into the Special Draw with that number of PPs when you could draw that tag easily with probably no PPs or 1PP in the Regular Draw. If the G&F does what you're asking, please come back on and tell us because you have a snowballs chance in you know where. Good luck and I would say you just need to suck it up, hunt on the tags you drew and start applying for PPs again next year.

Freeborn · Jul 14, 2016

That's what I figured but they recommended I write there review board so why not try.

delmag1942 · Jul 15, 2016

Best of luck.................but will not happen.

Freeborn · Jul 15, 2016

That's what were planning for as I'm sure they only consider health issues.

Still, there is an Outfitter, guides, hotels that just lost two customers. WGF probably doesn't care but the state as well as us lose in this situation.

DoubleDropMuley · Jul 16, 2016

Ya it sucks!!! But I'm sure your stuck with the mistake. And the state and possibly outfitter ain't loosing out cause tags went to someone. Maybe they'll go guided or maybe not.

TOPGUN · Jul 16, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-16 AT 08:54AM (MST)[p]Every year when I look over the draw odds I shake my head a number of times when I see where people used a number of PPs like the OP did when they could have drawn the tag with no PPs or maybe 1PP for 100% draw. They either don't know how the draw works or maybe just burn the PPs because they only plan to hunt one time and decide that's the year. The health comment made was right on the button because normally that's the only way the G&F will take a tag back and then you have to be either dead or on death's door and prove it with paperwork from a physician.