Back in the day when TPWD did the snail mail format you'd get a letter from them letting you know if you passed or failed. The failure notice would be a one pager in the envelope and you could tell that you weren't drawn before you even opened it.
The "you've been drawn" envelope would have a bit more bulk to it as it contained the paperwork that you'd have to mail back to TPWD along with a check to confirm that you accepted the hunt.
The online application system is convenient but with the convenience you have more folks applying because it takes less effort to apply online versus filling out and mailing in applications. I'm guessing this system generates more income for TPWD.
This is is neither here nor there but it's my 27th straight year to apply for a variety of the draw hunts. I've been selected three times and went on one of those three hunts. Took a doe at Daughtrey for an anterless/spike hunt years ago. Passed on going to Matador for the same hunt. And finally got picked after 26 years of applying for a gun deer either sex hunt but it was the same weekend that my son was drawn for a muley hunt. Now many preference points for a gun deer either sex hunt are back down to zero.
That being said, your odds are better for the archery hunts.
There are a few other tactics involved in the game but alas, discussing those online are akin to giving the GPS coordinates to your favorite brush pile or public land duck slaying hole.
Gig 'em! '90
