The Christmas and holiday season has wrapped up, but there is another season that is just getting started. That’s tag application season. With most of our hunts for the year coming to an end, now is the time to start planning and applying for hunts for the new year. By following the guidelines below, you can help turn your bowhunting daydreams into reality next fall.
Set a Budget
It can be quite easy to rack up a hefty bill when applying for hunts out of state. This is especially true with most states requiring you to purchase an out-of-state license as a requirement to apply for hunts. Setting a budget will help you know what hunts are within your means to apply for and will provide boundaries for your credit card. This will also prevent financial strain on your family while also creating more specificity to the hunt or hunts you will be applying for.
Specify your Hunt
Knowing what sort of hunt you would like to go on this fall, with help give you direction in which state(s) you should investigate applying for. Being specific about what hunt you would like to do will help narrow your goal and give you a direction for application season. For example, if you want to hunt mule deer out West narrow your goal by determining that you want to hunt mule deer in Wyoming in September. Having a focused hunt in mind will help increase your chance of getting to your ideal hunt this coming year.
Do Your Research
Once you know what hunt you would like to go on, it becomes time to further your research. This includes aspects such as species, travel distance, season dates, hunt quality, draw odds, and success rates. It is important to know things like the state’s license requirements, tag fees, the application deadline, how the state conducts its draw system, and what your chances of drawing your desired hunt are. Putting in adequate time researching your hunt, all of which can be done on the state game department website, will increase your chances of putting a desired tag in your pocket. If this seems like too much to figure out on your own, you can enlist the help of an application service such as Rolling Bones Outdoors or Epic Outdoors. Companies like these can help manage all the ins and outs of your applications based on your upcoming hunting goals.
Set Realistic Expectations
While we would all like to go on a high-quality hunt each year, such as an archery AZ bull elk hunt in September. However, high-quality hunts like that aren’t realistic to draw every year when they are coming through a state draw system. Being realistic with your expectations of drawing the tags you apply for can help prevent years of disappointment due to unsuccessful draw odds. Maybe your goal is to hunt elk in Arizona but if that is the case you better prepare to apply for years before ever getting the chance to go. If you simply want to go spend extra time in the woods with your bow and put more meat in the freezer, then apply for hunts that have higher draw odds and less trophy potential.
Communicate
Another important aspect of application season is communication. This goes for those who may possibly be hunting with you as well as those who will not. If you are planning on hunting with a friend or family member, it is good to be on the same page with them regarding your goals and expectations for hunting season. For instance, are you going to apply together or separately for the same hunt? If you apply together your odds of drawing tags will likely be diminished versus applying separately. Talking about things like this will limit frustration and unexplained ideas about your bowhunting plans. Regardless of whether you are going with someone, it is just as necessary to communicate with those who won’t be going, such as your spouse. Speaking from personal experience, things go over much more smoothly, and everyone is happier when all parties involved know when hunts are taking place throughout the year.
Dates to Keep in Mind
Several state application deadlines are fast approaching. Several of the upcoming deadlines are listed below.
Wyoming Elk (non-resident): January 31st
Oregon Black Bear: February 10th
Arizona Elk and Antelope: February 14th
Utah Black Bear and Mountain Lion: February 21st
Idaho Black Bear: February 15th
New Mexico all species: March 22nd
Virginia Elk: March 30th
South Dakota Archery Deer: March 31st
Montana Deer and Elk: April 1st
Keeping track of draw deadlines can be difficult to remember, especially if you are applying in multiple states. If this is the case, you may find it helpful to subscribe to groups such as Huntin’ Fool or Hunt Reminder which can help remind you of upcoming application deadlines.
Early planning and preparation for fall bowhunting begins now with application season. Taking the effort to follow the previously mentioned steps will hopefully lead you to successfully drawn tags in the year ahead and a fall season full of bowhunting adventures.
