WDFW Help

Under our current system, a hunter’s points are squared and he/she is assigned that number of random numbers. (For example, a hunter with 7 points is assigned 49 (7 X 7) random, computer-generated numbers.) This is done for all hunters. Then the computer throws out all but the best (lowest) number for each hunter. Next, the hunters are ranked by their number - lowest (best number) to highest (worst number). The computer then (starting at the top of the list) looks at a hunter’s first hunt choice selection. If a permit is available for that hunt, it is awarded (the person is drawn for that hunt). If that hunt has already been filled (all permits have been awarded), it looks at the hunter’s second choice. This same process is followed for all of the hunter’s hunt choice selections. Then the computer follows the same process for each hunter.

With regard to the odds of being drawn, the weighted points system improves an individual’s odds, but it is still based upon a random draw and there are many other factors that affect the odds of being drawn. Some of the most significant of those factors are the number of permits offered/awarded for a particular hunt (some hunts draw as few as 1 winner and others as many as 750 winners), the number of individuals applying for a particular hunt, whether a hunter is entered as an individual or as a group, the number of hunt choice selections the person has entered (from 1 to 4), and the priority order of an individual’s hunt choice selections.