Preference Points vs. Bonus Points: Understanding Every Western Draw System

The difference between preference and bonus points determines whether you will draw a tag or simply have better odds of drawing one. Preference points create a strict queue where hunters with the most points draw first. Bonus points weight your name more heavily in a random draw but guarantee nothing. Understanding which system each state uses is essential for building a realistic multi-state strategy.

How Preference Points Work

Preference points function like a numbered ticket at a deli counter. The hunter with the most points draws first, followed by the next highest, and so on until tags run out. If you hold five preference points and apply for a unit where the cutoff is four points, you will draw. If the cutoff is six, you will not.

This creates predictable draw timelines. You can look at historical cutoffs, count available tags, and estimate almost exactly how many years until you draw. The downside is that high-demand units can require 15, 20, or even 25 years of point accumulation. Once you commit to a long preference-point build, switching strategies means abandoning years of investment.

Colorado, Wyoming (for elk and deer regular draws), and Arizona (for some species under certain quotas) use preference-point systems for at least part of their allocation. In these states, patience and planning pay off with near-certain outcomes.

How Bonus Points Work

Bonus points increase your odds in a random draw without guaranteeing anything. Think of each point as an extra entry in a hat. If you have five bonus points and another hunter has one, you have roughly five times the chance of being drawn, but the one-point applicant can still beat you.

Most bonus-point states square your points or use similar weighting formulas, so the mathematical advantage grows faster than a simple linear increase. Montana squares your bonus points, meaning a hunter with 10 points has 100 entries compared to a first-time applicant's single entry. That is a significant edge, but randomness still rules.

Bonus-point systems reward persistence while preserving opportunity for newcomers. They also create volatility. You might draw a once-in-a-lifetime moose tag with three points or wait 18 years and never get picked. This unpredictability frustrates some hunters and excites others.

State-by-State Breakdown

Every Western state structures its draw differently, and several use hybrid models that blend preference and bonus elements.

Colorado

Colorado uses weighted preference points for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, goat, sheep, and bear. The system allocates roughly 80 percent of tags to the preference-point pool (highest points draw first) and 20 percent to a hybrid weighted draw where your points still matter but do not guarantee selection. This hybrid portion gives lower-point applicants a small chance at premium units. For more on how Colorado structures its elk opportunities, see Best OTC Rifle Hunts | TAGZ Insightson TAGZ Insights.

Wyoming

Wyoming runs a preference-point system for elk and deer regular draws, allocating 75 percent of tags to applicants with the most points. The remaining 25 percent goes to a random draw that includes all applicants regardless of points. For moose, sheep, goat, and bison, Wyoming uses a pure random draw with no point system at all. This split approach lets dedicated point-builders secure tags while keeping trophy species accessible to anyone willing to enter the lottery.

Montana

Montana uses bonus points squared for deer, elk, and antelope permits, plus moose, sheep, goat, and bison. Your total entries equal your bonus points squared plus one additional entry, so even zero-point applicants have a chance. Montana also uses a preference-point system for nonresident combination licenses that unlock general deer and elk hunting. If you are new to Montana's structure, How Montana's Preference & Bonus Point Systems Work | Complete Draw Guide | TAGZ Insights breaks down the details.

Arizona

Arizona uses bonus points with a random component for most big-game draws. The state implemented a loyalty point system in 2015 that rewards consistent annual applications. Points are squared in the draw, but a portion of tags in certain hunts may go to a maximum-point pool. Arizona's system is complex and changes periodically, so reviewing current regulations each year is critical. How Arizona Bonus Points Work — Complete Draw Guide | TAGZ Insights

Nevada

Nevada uses bonus points squared for deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep, goat, and elk. The state also allocates a small percentage of tags to applicants with maximum points, creating a hybrid feel. Nevada is notorious for long odds on premium tags, but the squared bonus-point math means dedicated applicants steadily improve their position.

New Mexico How Nevada Bonus Points Work — Complete Draw Guide | TAGZ Insights

New Mexico uses a pure random draw with no point system. Every applicant has an equal chance each year. This makes New Mexico one of the most accessible states for nonresidents and a smart addition to any multi-state portfolio. Draw odds analysis matters here because you are playing pure probability.

Utah

Utah uses bonus points for general-season deer and most limited-entry species. Points are squared, and the state runs separate draws for premium limited-entry, general season, and once-in-a-lifetime species. Utah's system favors long-term applicants but still allows first-timers to draw occasionally.
How Utah Bonus Points Work — Complete Draw Guide | TAGZ Insights

Idaho

Idaho uses a preference-point system for nonresident deer and elk controlled hunts. Points accumulate with unsuccessful applications and determine draw order. Idaho also offers general over-the-counter tags for residents, making it a state where nonresidents benefit most from understanding point strategies.
How Idaho's Hunting Draw Works | Complete Draw Guide | TAGZ Insights

Oregon

Oregon uses preference points for deer and elk controlled hunts. Applicants with the most points draw first. The state also has a random draw component for certain percentage allocations, but the core system rewards consistent applications over time. How Oregon Preference Points Work | Complete Hunting Draw Guide | TAGZ Insights

Building a Multi-State Strategy

Smart hunters treat each state's system as a separate investment vehicle. Preference-point states offer predictable returns if you commit long-term. Bonus-point states provide better annual odds for mid-tier units but less certainty for top-tier tags. Random-draw states like New Mexico let you play the lottery without sunk costs.

A balanced approach might include building preference points in Colorado or Wyoming for a bucket-list unit, accumulating bonus points in Montana or Nevada for solid mid-range hunts, and applying annually in New Mexico for a free shot at something special.

Before committing to any state, run the numbers. TAGZ draw-odds tools let you compare historical cutoffs, see how many points current applicants hold, and estimate realistic timelines. A unit that sounds appealing might require 20 years of points, while a neighboring unit with similar quality might take only five. For a deeper dive on selecting units strategically, read Product Preview | TAGZ

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many hunters treat point accumulation as a passive activity and lose track of their actual goals. Building 12 points in a state you never intend to hunt wastes money. Applying for unrealistic units year after year when mid-tier options would deliver excellent hunting sooner costs opportunity.

Another mistake is ignoring point creep. As more hunters enter systems, cutoffs rise. A unit that required eight preference points five years ago might require 12 today. Projecting future cutoffs based on current trends prevents unpleasant surprises.

Finally, do not underestimate the cost of points. Application fees, point fees, and license costs add up across multiple states. Budget annually and reassess whether each state still fits your hunting goals.

FAQ — Preference Points vs. Bonus Points

What is the main difference between preference and bonus points?

Preference points create a strict queue where the highest-point applicant draws first. Bonus points improve your odds in a random draw but never guarantee a tag.

Can I draw a tag with zero points in a bonus-point state?

Yes. Bonus-point systems keep the draw random, so a first-time applicant always has a mathematical chance, even against hunters with 15 or more points.

Do any states use a pure random draw with no points?

New Mexico uses a pure random draw for most big-game species. Every applicant has an equal chance regardless of application history.

Is it worth building points in multiple states at once?

Yes, if you have a clear plan. Diversifying across preference and bonus-point states balances guaranteed long-term draws with annual lottery chances.

How do I know how many points I need for a specific unit?

Review historical draw data showing past cutoffs. TAGZ provides unit-level draw odds and point breakdowns to help estimate timelines.

What happens if I miss an application deadline?

In most states, you can still purchase a point without applying for a hunt. Check each state's rules because deadlines and fees vary.

Understanding the mechanics behind each state's draw system transforms random applications into a deliberate strategy. Whether you prefer the certainty of preference points or the excitement of bonus-point lotteries, knowing how the game works puts you ahead of hunters who apply blindly year after year.