How to check (and earn) preference points

How to check preference points online

To check you preference points, log into your ODFW ELS account, and select "View Preference Points" under the Recreational Portfolio menu.

A table of your preference points results will appear

How to earn preference points

Note hunters can only earn one preference point each year in a series (with the exception of Mentored Youth hunters). So, if you put in for the draw, you can’t then go and purchase a point saver during the last purchase period from July – November.

Controlled hunt preference points

Hunters who apply and do not receive their first choice for pronghorn, deer, elk, and spring black bear controlled hunts receive a preference point for future controlled drawings for those species. Preference points give preferential treatment to hunters who have not been drawn for their first-choice hunt. The more years you go without being drawn, the more points you accumulate.

• Hunters DO NOT have to apply for the same hunt number every year as preference points stay with a series.
• Preference points will be kept on file under a person’s Hunter/Angler ID number.
• Party applicant points shall be determined by totaling preference points of all party members and then calculating the average of this total. Average party preference points will be rounded up from .51 and rounded down from .50 to the next whole number (example: 3.51 to 4; 3.50 to 3).
• Drawing a first-choice hunt within a hunt series takes the successful hunter's point total back to zero whether or not they purchase the tag, except for those hunters with a Pioneer Angling/Hunting License (Pioneer licensees are reset to one preference point). Hunters who successfully draw second or lower hunt choices still receive a preference point for future drawings except in the case of a first hunt choice that is cancelled. Their existing preference point total will also carry over. Hunters who indicate a Point Saver will receive a preference point that will add to any existing points for that hunt series.
• Preference points remain in the system until they are redeemed. Hunters will not forfeit their preference points if they do not apply for a hunt series for two or more consecutive years.
• Applicants who have their license suspended by legal action will forfeit all preference points.
• Youth participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program will receive one mentored youth preference point for each year they register for the program. See page 23 or website under Mentored Youth Hunter Program.

Learn more about how the controlled hunt draw works

Point savers

Point Savers give hunters a preference point and maintain existing preference points. If you do not plan to hunt in a controlled hunt series, you can apply for a Point Savers to gain a preference point. You can still hunt during general seasons and/or purchase leftover tags if available. You can also apply for an emergency hunt in addition to general, controlled hunt, and/or leftover tags.

• Points can be purchased Dec. 1-May 15 and from July 1-Nov. 30 online or at a license sales agent.
• You must have an adult hunting license.
• You CANNOT apply for other hunt choices within the same series if using the Point Saver.
• Youth applying for a Point Saver CANNOT apply for a First Time Youth tag in the same series later in the same year.
• Youth nine years of age or older are eligible to apply for points savers provided they have a social security number, a hunter/angler ID number and purchase a hunting license.

Leftover controlled tags

Leftover tags for hunts with fewer applicants than there are tags will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10 a.m. (Pacific time) on March 15 for black bear and July 1 for all other big game until all tags are sold as follows:

• Hunts having leftover tags may include Controlled Buck Deer hunts (100 series), Controlled Elk hunts (200 series), Controlled Pronghorn hunts (400 series), Controlled Antlerless Deer hunts (600 series), Controlled Spring Bear (700 series). Controlled Bighorn Sheep (500 series) and Controlled Rocky Mt Goat (900 series) will NOT be included.
• Only hunts with more tags than applicants (including 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th hunt choices) in the Controlled Hunt Drawing will qualify. No additional tags will be added to any hunt following the controlled hunt drawing. Tags awarded through the controlled hunt drawing, but not claimed or purchased will not be included or available for sale.
• A list of hunts and available leftover tags for sale on a first-come, first-served basis will be available online by Mar. 15 for bear and July 1 for all other big game species.
•  Leftover tags are available exclusively online. You will not be able to purchase leftover tags at ODFW offices or license vendors.
• Only 1 leftover tag may be purchased per person per hunt series.
• Leftover tags MUST be purchased by the day before the earliest opening date.
• Leftover tags purchased by youth do not impact their eligibility for “First Time” tags in that series.
• Leftover tags will be sold at the regular price for the current hunting season.
• No Preference Points will be given or taken away when purchasing leftover tags.

Step-by-step guide for how to purchase a leftover tag