Which has better odds, state draws or raffles?

DocGlenn · May 13, 2008

Has anyone ever looked at the odds of a raffle vs. the state draws? I, like everyone else here, get lots of offers to buy raffle tickets from different groups. With the prices of the state draws going up (being forced to buy a lic), I wonder if it wouldn't be better to put money towards raffles instead of state draws? Seems like I read an article once that backed this up to a certain degree. Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

EliAGrimmett · May 13, 2008

As an idea...

Arizona Super Raffle:

Pronghorn Raffle Tickets Sold in 2007 - 2,836

That's a .035% chance to draw. Cost of the raffle ticket on pronghorn is $20. The odds are similar for other species in Arizona.

Not sure what the other states look like, though.

Warren · May 13, 2008

The thing I like about the draws is that I get to build a point in most states. Otherwise, the raffles might give you just as good a chance. When it comes to sheep, you need to do both to ever have any chance.

YukonDall · May 13, 2008

I WOULD FEEL LIKE I'M JUST GIVING MY $$$$ AWAY, SAY 2-3 HUNDRED BUCKS TO TOTAL STRANGERS.....YD.

DocGlenn · May 14, 2008

I know what you mean about just giving it away. Of course you do that in AZ and a couple of other states that require you to purchase a Lic just to be in the draw. I guess technically you're getting the Lic, but I'm not going to use it unless I get drawn, so it is basically like giving it away. I guess the raffles just give you another slim chance that you might get lucky and score on. Somebody's gonna win, might as well be me.

YukonDall · May 14, 2008

WELL DOC....IN THOSE STATES THEY AT LEAST GIVE ME A LICENSE & A POINT......SO I CAN HAVE A DECENT CHANCE AT A TAG IN THE FUTURE..........YD.

Horniac · May 17, 2008

I have bought a few raffle tags from time to time (i.e. Idaho Super Hunt, AZ Big Game Super Raffle, etc.) for the remote chance of drawing a tag.

However, as YukonDall indicated, at least in some states drawings you get a point for the investment, though if you are just getting started and are a non-resident you will be in for a long wait as it is improbable you will ever draw a tag issued in the preference point round tag in your lifetime (i.e. WY, AZ, UT, CA) due to the non-resident tag caps and the few tags issued every year.

I have also wondered if the raffle tags being offered by the states are tax deductible like the raffle tickets you can buy from organizations like Grand Slam Club/OVIS If they were, I think more people might buy them...

Horniac

YukonDall · May 17, 2008

WELL HORN......I HAVE HAD SOME PRETTY GOOD DRAWS IN THE STATES YOU HAVE MENTIONED.....INCLUDING MY 2ND BULL MOOSE IN WYOMING THIS YEAR. WITH IN 2-4 YEARS I WILL PULL 2-3 MORE TAGS IN WESTERN RM STATES ALSO....BUT YEAH I HAVE THE POINTS I HAVE PAID FOR TOO. RAFFLES ARE ANOTHER STORY, & A BAD ONE AT THAT....YD.