About TagNerd

TagNerd is a tool for researching big game draw odds across the western states. Pick a state, filter by species, unit, weapon, and residency, and see how each hunt drew in past years — with per-point and per-pool breakdowns, harvest data where it's available, and an interactive unit map. Every number comes from the state wildlife agency's own draw reports.

TagNerd also offers a free compound-bow sight-tape calculator that starts with typical bow behavior and improves as you add speed, bow specifications, and real sight marks.

States Covered

Colorado Preference points
New Mexico Pure random (3 pools)
Wyoming Hybrid 75/25 PP + random
Idaho Pure random
Oregon Hybrid 75/25 PP + random
Utah Hybrid 50/50 bonus + random
Arizona Hybrid 20/80 bonus + random
Montana Bonus-squared lottery

How Draw Odds Are Calculated

Draw odds are the number of hunters drawn divided by the number who applied — but no two states run the same lottery. Some use preference points, some are pure random, others split tags between a points pass and a weighted random draw. TagNerd models each state's system separately, with the per-point and per-pool detail intact, so you see what it takes to draw a specific tag rather than a single blended number.

Data Sources

  • Colorado — CPW Post Draw Recap Reports (PDF). Preference point breakdowns and harvest statistics.
  • New Mexico — NMDGF Draw Odds Summary (Excel). Three applicant pools per hunt.
  • Wyoming — WGFD Demand Reports and PP Breakdowns (PDF). Special vs. regular nonresident licenses.
  • Idaho — IDFG Hunt Planner (CSV / API). Controlled hunt data from 1998 to present.
  • Oregon — ODFW Preference Point Draw Reports and Applicants-by-Hunt-Choice files (Excel).
  • Utah — UDWR Drawing Odds Reports (PDF). Bonus-point and weighted-random breakdowns.
  • Arizona — AZGFD Draw Information booklets (PDF). Per-pass bonus and random breakdowns.
  • Montana — FWP Drawing Statistics (PDF). Permit and B-license pools.

Draw odds and the Sight Tape Builder are free to use without an account. Compare hunts at your point level without signing in. Create a free account to save points and hunts and use the planner.

Account activity

We measure limited signed-in activity, such as whether you researched, saved, or compared hunts, to understand which tools are useful. These measurements stay within TagNerd and do not include your hunt notes, point balances, search text, or payment details. We may retain a referring website or campaign label with your signup to understand how people find us.

Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency. Data is refreshed after each draw cycle.