Preference Points

[khobbs1]

Just wanted to double check before I embark on this decade+ long journey:

I am active-duty military stationed here in CA. I've been hunting here the last 2 years and have put in for premium tags for deer and all of the other hard-to-get tags (Elk/Prong/etc.) and wasn't lucky enough to get them.

I'm leaving the state soon and likely won't be back for awhile, but I would kinda like to keep getting points each year while I'm gone so that, one day down the road, I can come back and do those hunts. My questions are:

1) Am I allowed to keep buying 'resident' licenses in order to put in for tag drawings (and isn't there a "point-only" request so that I don't draw a year when I'm on deployment, etc.) or do I have to switch to the more expensive non-resident because I move out of the state?
2) Do I really have to buy the annual license to put in for the draw? Is it that way in most states? I haven't hunted too many different states so I don't know.
3) Am I wasting my time doing all of this in CA? Would I be better served going to NV or another state for big game tags (again, down the road like 10 years).

Thanks for the help, guys.

[AdiosKali]

Well brother.... I am just getting ready to let 13 points go down the tubes. I will not be applying this year. As much as I would like to use those points toward elk and antelope, I can no longer justify it. I moved out of state last year and do not feel it is feasible to keep playing the points game. Two things brought me to this conclusion. #1, I may never draw and just keep sending CA my money. #2, I have a feeling the drought situation there may impact the trophy quality of the herds there. A few minor things influenced the decision to quit as well like the availability to hunt those animals more frequently closer to home.

If you plan on staying in CA for a long time, look at the lifetime licenses. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Lifetime Lot of money up front but in the long run it could pay off.

If you are just getting into the points game, it will be hard for you to catch up as 13 is the current max. You can draw in some of the random draws though where points don't really factor in. I think you have to ask yourself if you are a trophy hunter and if you are, I would suggest getting a Boone and Crockett record book and see where those are coming from. Also look at the CA Big Game Digest and look for the military provisions and draw stats.

Good luck and stay safe!