Page 17 - ODO 2024 JanFeb online version

are completed and submitted online, you will You might consider adding PointGuard to
receive confirmation that your application was your application as a safety net just in case
completed correctly. This system helps to something unexpected comes up and you
minimize mistakes, so make sure you receive won’t be able to attend your hunt. This “insur-
confirmation of your application. If you do have ance” option is designed to protect your pref-
any issues, call the toll-free help line listed at the erence points in the event you are drawn but
bottom of the webpage, (833) 457-7285, or send for some reason you won’t be able to go on
email to HelpDesk@gooutdoorsoklahoma.com. your hunt. PointGuard costs an additional $10
over the basic application fee for residents, and
DO THE HOMEWORK an additional $50 over the basic application fee
You can increase your chances by first doing for nonresidents.
some research. This article provides data from Each preference point you earn acts like an
the most recent controlled hunts drawing extra application for
cycle. Anyone who plans to apply this coming the next year. But if FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
year is urged to study the numbers present- you know you cannot Who can apply?
ed here to help guide you as to which hunts hunt this year and still
you should apply for if you want higher odds of want to earn a prefer- Any resident or nonresident who
being selected. ence point, you can possesses a valid hunting license or who is
For example, you might see that a total of now choose to mark otherwise exempt may apply for controlled
two controlled hunts will be held in the wildlife your application as hunts. A list of which hunting licenses are
management area that you are hoping to hunt. Preference Point valid is available at wildlifedepartment.
You notice the selection odds were greater last Only. This allows you com. Applicants must by a license prior to
year for one of the hunts, so you might decide to to earn a point this applying for controlled hunts. Applicants
apply for that hunt in anticipation that this year’s year that carries over who are eligible for, and possess,
numbers remain about the same as last year’s. to next year, but will apprentice-designated hunting licenses
Every time you apply and do not get select- keep your name out may also apply (although some hunts
ed, you earn a preference point in that catego- of the hunt drawings require hunter education certification by
ry for all future drawings. So, when you apply for this year. The PPO the date of the hunt.) Check the website
next year, it’s like getting your name put into the option is available for more information.
drawing an extra time for each preference point. as part of the appli-
Your odds of being drawn improve if you apply cant’s $10 initial application fee.
again year after year. This strategy now will be Your chances of selection only get better
able to have a greater impact with a new option each year you apply. If you’ve applied for the
in 2024 to buy an additional preference in the controlled hunt of your dreams for five years
pronghorn and elk hunt categories. Applicants straight without having been selected, then you
who spend $10 (for residents) or $50 (for nonres- will have five “tickets in the hopper” compared
idents) will carry forward two preference points to a first-time applicant, who will have one.
in next year’s elk and pronghorn drawings in the Although preference points increase your
event they are not drawn this year. odds of selection, they do not guarantee that
Additionally, some hunt categories allow applicants with the most points will get drawn.
you to apply with a group of other hunters, so What is guaranteed is that their odds of selec-
that if one of the group is drawn, the entire tion improve. First-time applicants with no pref-
group gets to hunt. erence points can and do get drawn for popular
If you are selected, you will receive your hunt hunts, while hunters who have many preference
instructions at the email address attached to points can miss out being selected. The pool
your online GoOutdoorsOklahoma account. size related to the number of hunt permits also
affects one’s chances of being selected.
HELPFUL TIPS Continuing this year, applicants who hold 20 or
Applicants have the chance to buy extra hunt more preference points in the once-in-a-lifetime
choices at $3 apiece, which will be in addition elk and pronghorn hunt categories will have a
to the basic application fee. This increases your higher likelihood of winning a permit, as the draw-
overall odds of being drawn simply by putting ing procedure has been enhanced for those cat-
your name into more of the drawings. egories. An initial drawing for half of the elk hunt

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 15