LEH Thoughts - "The grass is greener on the other side"

[vincentcui]

Just came across a Montana hunting group on FB; the hunters were ranting about their draw (point system) makes no sense as it builds seniority to unevenly toggle the balance in a game that should be 100% based on luck. Meanwhile in BC we always hear hunters complaining about the benefits of having a point-based LEH system. Is this a "the grass is greener on the other side" for us BC hunters? I know the government won't care what your or my opinions are, but for my curiosity, what do you think is the better approach to properly run LEH in BC?

[warnniklz]

Grass is greener for those who don't play the numbers.

Guys will put in for moose and Rosie's with high odds and complain they don't get a draw.

Since 2016, only 2017 i haven't got at least 1 draw. I haven't hunted a majority of the draws. I know I've had plenty of draws pre-2016 as well.

I'll keep the true lottery over a point system any day.

[scalerman]

I lived in Alberta for a period of time. There were those that lamented the points system because there were some hunts that took a very long time to get drawn for and they were of the opinion that if it were a luck based system they might get drawn sooner. Who am I to say that they are right or wrong? I know that when I applied for a draw in Alberta that was only a matter of time before I got my tag. I grew up in BC and applied for tags every year that I was eligible. I have never been drawn for any LEH. I have been hunting since I was 14 and am now 61. I spent 18 years in Alberta. A points based LEH system loooks pretty good to me.

[IronNoggin]

There are a few States that combine these options.
Hunts that are generally not over-subscribed are on a point system.
Those that are heavily over-subscribed go to a BC style lottery system, and further on that, limit those hunts to once in a lifetime.

I would really prefer to see something of that nature here over what we have now...

Cheers

[Livewire322]

There are a few States that combine these options.
Hunts that are generally not over-subscribed are on a point system.
Those that are heavily over-subscribed go to a BC style lottery system, and further on that, limit those hunts to once in a lifetime.

I would really prefer to see something of that nature here over what we have now...

Cheers

this would make sense - even if we don’t adopt a point based system, I’d like to see the oversubscribed draws be put to once in a lifetime, or once in 5 years, rather than the ‘reduced odds’ system we do currently.

[elker]

Now that I had a draw last year, I would not like a once in a lifetime or 5 year time system. Reduced draw makes more sense to me, who is somewhat selfish.

[Arctic Lake]

WOW ! Never been drawn for an LEH in B.C. . Is that common for others as well ?
Arctic Lake

I lived in Alberta for a period of time. There were those that lamented the points system because there were some hunts that took a very long time to get drawn for and they were of the opinion that if it were a luck based system they might get drawn sooner. Who am I to say that they are right or wrong? I know that when I applied for a draw in Alberta that was only a matter of time before I got my tag. I grew up in BC and applied for tags every year that I was eligible. I have never been drawn for any LEH. I have been hunting since I was 14 and am now 61. I spent 18 years in Alberta. A points based LEH system loooks pretty good to me.

[mike31154]

Myself & 2 buddies have been collaborating for some years as to which draws to enter for Moose & Island Elk. They both live on the Island, sadly the experienced friend passed away recently. Rick was a bit of a mentor as myself & the other pal are relative newbs. Rick always organized our Moose group LEH draw (6-1) because he knew the area well having hunted it for many years. We were successful once in the time after I joined in. We've also gone there for GOS when we didn't get a draw.

Rick had been putting in for Island Elk for 30 years without success. 2 years after I started entering the draw he suggested, I won a draw. Had my Elk at the end of the 1st week out. The tastiest beast I've had the pleasure of preparing a meal with. Rick had lined up a meat cutter that hung the Elk in his cold room for a week before going to work on it.

Been chasing deer for years now without success, last season I put in for Antlerless Mule Deer LEH in Region 3 & won a draw. I figured if nothing else it would increase my odds of success. Ironically on my 2nd outing on that LEH I scored a nice 4-point buck that trotted across the road in front of me as I was transiting from one lake to another to scout. He kindly waited for me on the slope of an open area off the road as I got my rifle out of the truck & loaded it up. Scrambled part way up the slope, took a knee & downed him. More than happy to spare a doe or juvenile buck.

I think I started big game hunting around 2016 so can't really complain that our lottery system has been bad to me. I had more success with my pals group hunting & with a high odds Elk draw vs bagging a deer during GOS. The day I got the buck I had seen another in the morning before driving between the lakes I was working. I believe I might be going back to that MU for future GOS.

[KodiakHntr]

A point system maybe works if no additional people ever decide to start hunting, and your kids and grandkids don’t ever plan on hunting, because they’ll never accumulate enough points. Point creep is a huge problem.

While not perfect, a lottery like we have now at least gives a guy a chance.

[Gateholio]

You hear BC hunters that don't understand how LEH works complain that we need a points system.