Lottery Zone Question

[Huskie]

Last year our area, 169 went lottery for the first time in a few years. We have 5 hunters in our group and all 5 ended up with antlerless permits. (169 is a big area and 3000 permits were available) We harvested a 6 point buck and a mature doe, so we went 2 for 5.

This year they are again giving out 3000 permits. My question is, how far down do we drop in priority for the permits? How many priority groups are there? Will the hunter that used a antlerless permit receive the lowest priority, thus having the smallest chance of another permit this year, just wondering???

[Bear55]

Honestly I have no clue, a lot probably depends on how many people apply for a doe permit. I know back in the 80's a guy was guaranteed a permit every 4 years if he didn't draw the previous 3. However a lot has changed since then and I think your odds are better now a days. Best you can do is call the DNR see if they have any more info or just apply and see what happens.

[Jameson]

snoop around on last years deer report on the DNR's site and it might list the number of folks that applied for a doe tag in each zone. Say 4000 applied and 3000 got drawn. Then you likely got 1000 folks in front of you.

It doesn't matter that you used the permit. Only that you got drawn for it. Once drawn for it your preference goes back down to 0 (or is it 1, the lowest anyways.)

I'd suggest you guys don't apply as a group. Probably get a couple three antlerless permits.

[Huskie]

Thanks Jameson, I checked last years stat's, have an idea of our chances for a permit now.