Bonus Points vs Preference Points: Why Most Hunters Misplay Both

Most hunters hear “points” and assume it all works the same. Build enough, wait long enough, and eventually you draw.

That’s not how it works.

There are two completely different systems, and if you don’t understand the difference, you can waste years thinking you’re getting closer when you’re not. One system puts you in line. The other just gives you better odds.

Those are not the same thing.

Preference points are the easier one to understand. It’s a line. The people with the most points go first, and once the tags are gone, that’s it. If you’re below the cutoff, you don’t draw—no matter how close you were.

It’s predictable, but it’s not forgiving.

You’re not just building points—you’re competing against everyone else doing the same thing. And the longer people stay in the system, the longer that line gets. That’s where point creep comes in.

You gain a point, but so does everyone ahead of you. And new people keep stepping in behind you.

So even though you’re “progressing,” the finish line keeps moving.

That’s how guys get stuck chasing the same tag for years. They’re not falling behind—they’re just not gaining ground either.

Bonus point systems work completely different. There’s no line. No guaranteed spot. Every year you apply, your name goes into the draw multiple times based on how many points you have.

More points means more chances.

But that’s all it is—chances.

You can draw with zero points. You can also sit there for years with a pile of points and still not hit. It’s less predictable, and that’s what throws people off. They expect it to behave like a preference system, and it doesn’t.

It’s a probability game, not a guarantee.

Some states try to balance this by setting aside a small portion of tags for the highest point holders, but most of the tags still get pulled randomly. So even if you’ve been in the system a long time, you’re still playing the same game as everyone else.

You just have slightly better odds.

This difference is what shapes everything.

In preference states, you can plan. You can look at the numbers and get a rough idea of when you might draw. It’s not perfect because of point creep, but there’s at least a structure to it.

The downside is time. If you’re behind the curve, it can take years to catch up—if you ever do.

In bonus states, you’re always live. Every year you apply, you’ve got a shot. It might be small, but it’s real. That’s the upside.

The downside is you can’t predict it.

You might draw early. You might never draw. There’s no clear timeline, and that’s where people get frustrated.

Most hunters mess this up by treating both systems the same. They sit in bonus states expecting a guaranteed result if they just wait long enough. That doesn’t happen.

Or they jump into preference states chasing units that are already out of reach and never adjust.

Both paths lead to wasted time.

Where these systems show up matters too. States like Colorado and Wyoming lean on preference points. Arizona and Nevada use bonus systems. Utah mixes both, which adds another layer you have to understand if you want to play it right.

If you don’t know which system you’re in, you’re already behind.

The best approach is using both systems for what they’re actually built for. Preference states are your long game. You’re working toward something specific, knowing roughly what it will take.

Bonus states are your wildcard. You’re in the draw every year with a chance to hit early, even if the odds are low.

That combination is what gives you consistency and upside at the same time.

Another mistake is not having a plan for when to act. Guys build points in both systems without ever deciding what they’re actually trying to do with them.

They just keep going.

At some point, you need to decide when enough is enough. In preference systems, that might mean jumping in when you’re close before point creep moves things further away. In bonus systems, it means staying active and taking your chances instead of waiting for a moment that doesn’t exist.

That’s where a lot of time gets lost.

At the end of the day, points are only valuable if you understand how they work. If you treat every system the same, you’re going to make bad decisions without realizing it.

But if you understand the difference, you can start using each system the way it’s meant to be used.

That’s what turns points into actual hunts instead of just numbers sitting in an account.