Draw order

[Static1968]

If this has been posted before I apologize in advance.

I was curious as to how the draw order was chosen within a category, so I contacted TPWD. I asked if it was Truly random or maybe went in Alphabetical order.
I was a bit surprised by the response. (see below)



Thanks for contacting us!


The order is based on popularity. For example, the location with the highest number of applicants will be drawn first in each category, and the location with the lowest number of applicants will be drawn last.



Also, it is possible to be drawn for multiple locations within the same category but your points for the category will be re-set to zero as soon as you are drawn for the first location.



We hope this helps!



Thank you,

[solocam_aggie]

Good to know! Thanks for posting.

[bigjohntex]

Hmmm..... Things I didn't know but now I do!
thanks!

[mossman500]

Cool, thanks

[RustyArmadillo]

1Had no idea about that, thanks for posting!

[sqiggy]

So what area do y’all think will be drawn first??

[Huntindad]

It don't much matter. They'll start around 8 and the batch processing will be done within the hour and all results "SHOULD" be announced by then. The number of applicants(input data) is low and and the programs should run run really fast.

[justletmein]

That's actually very interesting and may end up with some slight tweaks to the strategy knowing the points reset to zero if you draw something in the category prior to a more desirable less popular hunt being drawn. I always thought your points were the same throughout the draw. There's actually one I would have withdrawn for Archery but it's too late now.

[solocam_aggie]

I knew the points were reset to 0 as soon as you drew. What I always worried about was applying to multiple hunts in a category, that I would draw a less desirable hunt and being reset to 0 before having a chance at my #1 hunt. Glad that's not the case.

[Mr. Public]

That's actually very interesting and may end up with some slight tweaks to the strategy knowing the points reset to zero if you draw something in the category prior to a more desirable less popular hunt being drawn. I always thought your points were the same throughout the draw. There's actually one I would have withdrawn for Archery but it's too late now.

Not too late!

I withdrew one yesterday! You still have A couple hours at this time

[Mr. Public]

Giving away all the secrets!

[justletmein]

Not too late!

I withdrew one yesterday! You still have A couple hours at this time

Oh heck, I for some reason thought the draw was today! Thanks for kicking me, I'll email them now and see. This one has more applicants by far, but I'd much rather have another hunt instead so hate to burn 10 archery points on it in front of the one I really want.

[BobbyJoe]

Maybe I’m too dense to really understand… but how does that really help at all? Is it that maybe someone would apply to less hunts in a category so that they don’t burn their preference point on a less desirable hunt? I feel like that was a given to begin with but maybe my assumption was wrong.

guess my strategy is different… always figured, the more I apply for the more likely to get drawn. Not too dead set on here or there and have had awesome experiences at places I never thought I would.

[3rdCoastHunter]

That's actually very interesting and may end up with some slight tweaks to the strategy knowing the points reset to zero if you draw something in the category prior to a more desirable less popular hunt being drawn. I always thought your points were the same throughout the draw. There's actually one I would have withdrawn for Archery but it's too late now.

this is the first year I paid for a hunt and I’m praying I don’t get drawn for it lol