I've got one hunting partner that has been all I can ask for, but since Dad is working out of the country I did this one on my own. I am pretty lucky, I've got my dad and a couple buddies that have always been great to hunt with.
As to the tag, I am now in a 5 year cool off period. Horns longer than ears is not a hard tag to draw, but my last one was 2010. If you have the tag on opening day, regardless of if you kill one, it's 5 years before you can apply again. The lottery system can be frustrating, there are years we get skunked on tags, but when you get a tag you know there is a chance for something special.