Glenn
Dunning is a member of New England Outdoor Writers Association
(NEOWA) and contributes monthly to Outdoors Magazine
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Outdoors Magazine, March '05 issue, Traveling Sportsman column Submitted by: Glenn Dunning |
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Draws, Tags and Preference Points License Lotteries In The Western States |
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| There are a lot of great reasons to go hunting "out west", and we're going to talk about those but there is one main reason sportsmen shy away from western hunts; acquiring licenses. Understanding draws, lotteries, applications, ranch tags, deadlines and preference points, especially if you are considering hunt options in several states requires a full blown research project. In fact, there is so much detail that this column is geared more toward steering you in the right direction then answering all of your questions. So why go anyway? The answer is, because it's worth it. If you like to hunt there is simply nothing like a chilled autumn morning in the Rockies. Frost laden aspen leaves twitter as thermals run down the mountainside in advance of the sun's first warming rays. Out in front of you and your guide the herd bull bugles again, closer this time. Deer, and lots of them; both muleys and whitetails. Antelope too, plus cats, turkeys, sheep and moose. Most alluring perhaps is the landscape. The Rocky Mountain states encompass some of the most thrilling and spectacular territory you could ever hope to hunt and experience. Colorado: Home to more elk than any other western state and with a more generous draw system. The allocation of available non-resident licenses is defined by unit and the state is carved up into over 150 of them. The number of individual tags available in each unit and the % of successful applicants in the lottery result from different criteria. For instance, a unit may have a high rate of successful draw applicants because either it has a lot of elk or it has a relatively high allocation of tags compared to the number of people that apply for that area. Additionally, the department of wildlife biologists may limit the number of licenses available in a certain unit to maintain or enhance trophy quality. In some units, for certain hunt dates, you are virtually guaranteed to get your tag in other areas it may take years. Here are the basics: Non-resident licenses are only available by draw (lottery) The cost, due with application is $488.25 for elk and $293.25 for deer. The application deadline for 2005 is April 5th Licenses to successful applicants and refund checks for those not drawing tags are mailed toward the end of June Preference points are awarded at a rate of one per year for unsuccessful applicants and preference points may also be purchased at a rate of one per year. Applications are available and may be submitted online with a credit card. For more information: www.wildlife.state.co.us or 303-297-1192 Wyoming: Almost as big geographically as Colorado, Wyoming is the least populated state in the nation. The mountainous western half of the state, punctuated by The Grand Tetons, Yellowstone Park and the Great Divide, encompasses some of the most remote wilderness found anywhere in the lower 48. This is elk country but also home to big horn sheep, Shiras moose and lions. The rolling hills and high prairie regions to the east are equally game rich and support large, healthy populations of muleys, whitetails and antelope. Life is simpler in Wyoming and so is their draw. As in Colorado and all the western states, tag allocation is purportedly based on unit specific demographic profiles of the animals that live there. OK, well anyway, it's by zone. There are no preference points for Wyoming's most sought after big game; deer, elk and antelope. There are preference points available for moose and big horn sheep. They accumulate forever and that's about how long it takes to get drawn. To further simplify the process you can not apply online however you can print the application form. The good news is that draw success is high to the extent they had deer and antelope tags leftover throughout much of the state last year. Non-resident license costs: Elk - $481, Deer - $261, Antelope - $226 2005 Application dates: Elk, January 1 - 31. Deer & Antelope, January 1 - March 15 Licenses and refund checks mailed: Elk, end of February. Deer and antelope, by mid-July For more information: www.gf.state.wy.us or 307-777-4600 New Mexico: If you have hunted here then you know where the word enchanted comes from. Much of this southwestern state is sovereign Indian territory and the first nation people know how to grow trophy elk. They also know the value of the resource they have which translates into hunt costs 3 times that of private outfitters but there is no draw. For the rest of the state there is a draw. Lottery dates are the same for elk, deer and antelope. There are no preference points which means you can draw the first year or never. According to a fish and wildlife official, 60 - 70% of applicants are successful but it is totally unit specific, meaning you are far more likely to be drawn in some units than in others. For all of the math gurus in our sporting ranks, they annually produce a total analysis of application data from the previous season so you can go online and crunch the numbers to see how the odds shake-out. Ranchers working with the wildlife department can also get "ranch tags" based on the size of their property and the state's assessment of how many animals it can sustain. Ranchers then resell these tags to outfitters or host clients directly. These may or may not provide value for the hunter. Non-resident license costs: Elk - $481 or $766 in trophy unit, Deer - $190 by draw, $196 over the counter in some areas 2005 Application deadline: April 9, all species Licenses and refund checks mailed at the end of June, all species Online application submission is available For more information: www.wildlife.state.nm.us or 800-862-9310 Montana: Under that big sky are huge expanses of immaculate wilderness. Nobody home but the deer, elk, wolves and bear. Stepping out of your wall tent in the morning, listening to multiple bulls bugling from the mountain meadows surrounding your camp, you realize you are in their house. This state supports its outfitting industry by guaranteeing you a tag. There is a draw but as long as your application is accompanied by a certificate issued by a licensed outfitter you will be drawn. Deer and elk seasons coincide and combination licenses are available. If you choose to hunt on your own, odds for success in getting a license are around 65% for elk and only 20% for deer and of course vary by zone. Sheep, mountain goats and moose tags are by draw only. Non-resident license costs, guaranteed draw: Elk/ deer combo $977 or $877 elk only, $340 deer Non-resident license costs by random draw: Elk $590 and deer $340 2005 Application deadline: March 15 Licenses and refund checks mailed at the end of April Online application submission is available For more information: www.fwp.state.mt.us or 406-444-3750 If hunting in a group most states accept group draw applications where if one of you draw the group draws but there is no statistical advantage in getting tags. There is a benefit to applying online at least in Colorado and New Mexico where your credit card is not debited unless you draw successfully. Finally, to get draw and application information for other states, type the state name, period, then "fish and wildlife" into your search engine and it will get you close. |
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