How to Play the Draw Game for Whitetails

The buck nosed through the does, and twice when he stood still, I started to squeeze the trigger. However, he started moving again, and I anxiously waited for the right opportunity. He followed one doe behind a hill while the other deer kept feeding. I anxiously waited, wondering if he would return to the rest of the herd. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long.

He returned and stood still long enough to give me a shot. I settled the crosshairs, and my rifle’s report and recoil surprised me. Deer scattered, and I ran to the top of the hill for a better view. White flags flew in every direction, but none of them had antlers. I then noticed an unmistakable white belly lying on the prairie. That tremendous 5x5 buck only ran 30 yards.

After years of drawing preference points, I was happy to notch my tag on this buck, especially on the opening morning of rifle season. It required a bit more strategy than a traditional over-the-counter (OTC) hunt, but it was well worth it.

While there are countless OTC whitetail tags available across North America, limited draw opportunities can provide some of the best hunting for DIY deer hunters. Here are a few things to consider before throwing your name in the hat.

Why You Should Consider Draw States

Unlike OTC opportunities, limited draw states have a few more advantages. First, limited tags mean limited hunting pressure. OTC offers great access…to everyone. However, I enjoy the elbow room that comes with limited draw units. I’ve been on numerous OTC hunts where I bumped into tons of other hunters. Limited competition has its perks.

While not a guarantee, draw states can increase your chances of harvesting bigger, older bucks. Because the competition is limited, bucks have a greater chance of living longer. So, if you want to increase your chances of killing a mature buck, draw states might give you a better shot.

Increase Your Odds

Draw odds can be difficult to decipher. Most states publish draw odds by breaking them down by preference points on their wildlife department websites. Preference points enhance your odds of drawing a tag (hence the name). Some states allow you to purchase them after the draws are completed. If you don’t draw a state one year, consider purchasing preference points to improve your odds for the next.

States typically divide areas into different hunting units, which can make the application process even more confusing. Instead of scrambling through multiple web browsers, you can use a digital mapping service like onX or GoHunt to streamline the process. These platforms allow you to search for hunts using filters such as draw odds, public land percentages, trophy quality, and your preferred weapon.

If you want the opportunity to travel hunt every year, consider applying to a handful of states. This will increase your odds of drawing a tag to a different state every year. Some Wyoming units take only one or two points to draw. Ditto with South Dakota. Meanwhile, Iowa’s premier units take at least four years to draw an archery tag, which aligns with prime pre- and peak-rut dates. If you do the math and figure out a rotation, you could potentially draw a different state every year.

Making the Most of Your Tag

The downside to hunting draw states is that you won’t hunt the same place every time. In other words, it’ll take longer to learn an area than it does in OTC states, where you can hunt the same ground every year.

Still, I’ve seen some of the biggest bucks while hunting draw states. If your goal is to increase your chances of seeing and potentially killing a mature buck, draw states can offer you that, even if you’re less familiar with the land.

Since you can’t hunt these places every year, I’ve found that e-scouting plays a huge role in your success. Instead of wasting your evenings in front of the TV, spend that time e-scouting and dropping markers over potential areas you want to hunt. You can do this all year round, not just the months before your hunt.

E-scouting these draw states has made a huge difference in my own success over the years. You may only get a week to hunt a state that took you years to draw, so you have to make the most of it. E-scouting can give you a great head start.

Plan Now

While draw opportunities closed earlier this year, you might find a leftover tag. Otherwise, you’ll have to hunt an OTC state if you want to travel this year. Still, it’s not too early to research draw opportunities for next year. Putting in for draw states requires more work than an OTC, but I’ve found the hassle well worth it.