Well, almost every year I start a thread so we can all cry about getting the annual "unsuccessful" email... Used to be a 3x5 card. Well,
I got SUCCESSFUL! 2nd time in 28 years.

Congrats!

Congrats I got a Sorry About Your Luck

Successful!! 2nd time in about 25 years.

Dinged again. I was drawn twice in three years about fifteen years ago. That's been it for me. Have entered every year since it began. I wish they'd charge five dollars each time you put in for the draw and you can put in as many times as you like, but you can only be drawn once per season. The DNR would make money for more draw areas, and the guys getting drawn would be more likely to show up.

I would be ok for that and I got a blank this year as well anyone gets picked and needs some dogs let me know lol I got 2 that like it over there

I got blanked again as well. They should have preference points.

They started a preference points program a couple of years ago. No one noticed. Remember there are at least 10,000 hunters vying for 250 slots.

HatchetJack

I should be grandfathered in then, with 30 + years of not successful

I believe everyone started at zero...for more info contact the DNR.

So I take it Jack came up "short" again??

Ok is there truth to that I haven't know Jack to lie but I would like more details on this

Honestly, I forgot to apply this year. I did have a friend that got drawn opening day though but I may not go with him.

Jack

I don't know the details but I attend an awful lot of DNR meetings and the pheasant draws were discussed recently. Contact Mitch Marcus at DNR. He's the Chief of the Wildlife section at Fish & Wildlife. He can give whatever details he wants out there. Another source might be James Kershaw in that same section.

HatchetJack

Hey thanks Jack

Jack is correct. There are about 5000 hunters, give or take a few, vying for a handful of spots. Fish and wildlife did institute a preference system a couple years ago. Every year you do not get drawn, you get another chance the next year.

For instance, if I do not get drawn and you do, then next year I get the equivalent of two applications in the system for the date I choose to your one. I think it is capped and possibly reset after 10 years though. Odds are better on powerball😂😂

I've heard back from the folks actually running the system. Here's the explanation:

"The reserve draw system assigns one preference point for each previous year that an applicant was unsuccessful prior to conducting the current years drawing. The system allows for up to 5 preference points total. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me."


HatchetJack

Thanks Jack