Some states have a lot of resident hunters, and few animals of a certain specie. Residents overwhelmingly will put up with bad odds in their state vs. spending 10x more in a non-res state with better odds.

ie. why would i pay 1000 in WY when I live in CO, but could draw a tag in 5 years, vs. waiting 30yrs and paying $150?

eastmans' or the huntin fool is a great place to start/subscribe.

he may have waited 30yrs to draw a WY bighorn sheep, which IMO isn't even worth applying for, less maybe you're a resident, or just going for the random draw. I'm unsure you can apply for sheep in WY and not get a bonus point, the only way I'd consider applying in WY for sheep at this point is if I didn't have to pay that $100 extra for a bonus sheep point.

If you're just starting out, at least buy some WY pref points this year, the deadline is July or august or somthing like that. I'd at least buy an antelope, deer, elk point, but not sheep, perhaps a moose?