California Draw Odds

Worked example. Say a hunt area has 100 nonresident tags. 90 go to the applicants with the most preference points; if the last point level that draws has more applicants than tags left, that level is split at random. The other 10 are drawn purely at random from everyone who missed the points pass — so an applicant with zero points still has a shot.

Max choices

3

Lower choices burn points

No

Point only purchase allowed

Yes

Points expire

Yes

Group apps average points

Yes

2026 Big Game Hunting Digest pp. 19-21 (How the Drawing Works, Tag Quota Splits); T14 CCR 708.14 · verified Sep 1, 2026

Worked example. Say a hunt area has 100 nonresident tags. 75 go to the applicants with the most preference points; if the last point level that draws has more applicants than tags left, that level is split at random. The other 25 are drawn purely at random from everyone who missed the points pass — so an applicant with zero points still has a shot.

Max choices

1

Point only purchase allowed

Yes

Points expire

Yes

Group apps average points

Yes

2026 Big Game Hunting Digest p. 21 (Elk, Pronghorn, and Bighorn Sheep Tags; Steps in the Elk, Pronghorn and Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawings); T14 CCR 708.14 · verified Sep 1, 2026

Worked example. Say a hunt area has 100 nonresident tags. 75 go to the applicants with the most preference points; if the last point level that draws has more applicants than tags left, that level is split at random. The other 25 are drawn purely at random from everyone who missed the points pass — so an applicant with zero points still has a shot.

Max choices

1

Point only purchase allowed

Yes

Points expire

Yes

Group apps average points

Yes

2026 Big Game Hunting Digest pp. 21, 42; T14 CCR 708.14 · verified Sep 1, 2026

Worked example. Say a hunt area has 100 nonresident tags. 75 go to the applicants with the most preference points; if the last point level that draws has more applicants than tags left, that level is split at random. The other 25 are drawn purely at random from everyone who missed the points pass — so an applicant with zero points still has a shot.

Max choices

1

Point only purchase allowed

Yes

Points expire

Yes

Group apps average points

No

2026 Big Game Hunting Digest pp. 21, 42 (Bighorn Sheep Tag Application Restrictions); T14 CCR 708.14 · verified Sep 1, 2026