Applications/seasons Info

[DANRED]

Hello all,

I am fairly new here. I hope I can gain some information that might be helpful to me and my son.

My son is 13 and has taken close to 20 whitetails but I want to take him on some western hunts. I won't be able to afford an outfitter for any of these hunts so it's going to have to be public land.

I have just started looking into that and have found the regs, points, quotas and seasons in the western states to be extremely confusing. Is there someplace online that I can find a nice synopsis of all the western states and how to apply or do I have to either figure this info out piece by piece or hire an application service? I am not interested in applying for exotic hard to draw species such as Bighorn sheep or mountain goats. I just want to be able to apply for some public hand deer, antelope and elk hunts for my son.

Are there any reference materials out there that are helpful?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Dan Redwood

 

[JimP]

There is not anyplace that I know of that simplifies the application processes.

I would just start by finding a state that you might be interested in and then ask some questions on the forum here. Once you get the basics of it the application process really isn't that confusing.

 

[HuskyMusky]

subscribe to Eastmans and/or Epic outdoors magazines.

I'd buy points in WY this year...which points only closes I think in Sept.

WY Antelope has DIY written all over it.

may only take a day or 2 for both of you to fill your tags, but if you planned 5 days or so, you can almost guarantee to fill those tags.


Good luck!

PM Sent! Check your inbox...

 

[LCH]

You have a month to jump on the Colorado bandwagon, I'd do that for elk, deer, and pronghorn.

You can buy Wyoming points in the summer. Same for SD. You'll have to wait until next year for AZ.

Are you wanting to hunt this year? Plenty of time to get something planned and tags drawn still.

 

[JimP]

Deer in Az is not until June but the kicker is you have to purchase a $160 hunting license to be eligible for a deer point.

Colorado now also requires a hunting license.

Utah requires a hunting license but you can use it for 2 years if you work it right.

Nevada is a open draw state but if you want a point then you need to purchase a license.

Wyoming you just need to purchase the point and have until September to do so.

 

[WapitiBob]

Randy Newberg has some YouTube vids covering every western state.

 

[RICMIC]

Each state has their own system, and the rules seem to be a constantly moving target. Try to stick to one state at first until you start to figure it out, and it won't be so daunting.

 

[Rich M]

Ditto RICMIC.

The different states have different rules and different application periods. The application periods overlap for many of them, so there is no applying for this and then that as a backup.

It is kinda crazy - I chose 2 states to focus on and am not playing the 6 or so western state draws and points. Just not interested in western hunting as a long term goal in life.

Decide what you want - figure out the best place to go and then channel into that.

 

[DANRED]

Thanks everyone.

JimP, do you happen to the know the price of the hunting licenses that you have to purchase just to participate in a lottery or buy a point? I will probably be eliminating most of those states if they charge a hefty fee.

Dan

 

[JimP]

Utah= $65.00 A general season deer tag can be drawn with as few as 1-2 points depending on area. Some area will be 5+ for non residents.
Colorado= $80.00 All deer tags are draw only. Some areas can be drawn with 0-2 points all the way up to 20+ points
Arizona= $160.00 Just a tough draw for deer but with bonus points you can get lucky
Nevada= $155.00 I haven't put in for Nevada since I drew a tag a number of years ago and haven't followed up on them.

Those are just the hunting license fees if you want a point. Only Nevada has a open draw but you won't get a point unless you pay for a hunting license.

Wyoming charges for the points but it is just a straight point fee. The best hunt in Wyoming is the doe antelope hunt. Lots of tags and easy to draw.

 

[DANRED]

Thanks Jimp.

 

[hskrhntr]

Wyoming antelope is a great suggestion if you're new to hunting out west and want your son to have a fun hunt. Lots of game to look at, not overly demanding physically. Then, depending on where you're at, if you get your antelope you can casually check out the surrounding area and maybe see some deer or elk or even just go on a hike in the mountains.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk