2018 Big Game Hunt Application Deadline in Western States

This is this year’s reminder so you don’t miss the application deadlines to hunt your favorite big game animal in your favorite western state.

Different states have different species of big game, but I just list the most common North American ungulates (Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose and Bison) and a few unique/exotic species in Table 1.

Table 1 lists the species that can be hunted in each Western state, the application deadlines for limited entry drawings and the date the results should be published.

Remember there are still seven western states (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) that have general elk hunts with over-the-counter tags (read more here).

Table 1. 2018 Western Big Game Application Deadlines

State	Species	Application Deadline	Results
Arizona	Elk, Pronghorn	Feb 13, 2018 (2nd Tue in Feb) -Too Late	Mid Feb
	Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Fall Bison	June 12, 2018 (2nd Tue in June)	Mid Jun
	Spring Bison, Javelina	Oct 9, 2018 (2nd Tue in Oct)	Mid Oct
California	Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep	June 2nd each year	June 17
Colorado	Elk, Deer, Moose, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat	Apr 3, 2018 (1st Tues. in April) -Too Late	June 1
Idaho	Elk, Deer, Pronghorn	Jun 5, 2018 – 2nd Draw Aug 25	Aug 25
	Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat	April 30, 2018 – Too Late	July 10
Montana	Elk, Deer	Mar 15, 2018, B Licenses June 1 -Too Late	Mid Apr.
	Antelope	Jun 1, 2018	Aug. 1
	Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat	May 1, 2018 – Too Late	June 13
	Bison	May 1, 2018 – Too Late	Sept. 6
	Super Tags: Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Deer, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goat and Mountain Lion	June 28, 2018	July 11
Nevada	Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat	Apr 17 1st Draw – 2nd Draw Jun 26	June 10
New Mexico	Elk, Deer, antelope, Bighorn sheep, Barbary Sheep, Ibex, Oryx, Javelina	Mar 21, 2018  – Too Late	Apr. 25
Oregon	Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat	May 15, 2018	June 20
Utah	Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Moose, Mountain Goat	Mar 1, 2018 -Too Late	May 31
	Antlerless Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn	Jun 21, 2018	July 6
Washington	Deer, Elk, Mountain Goat, Moose, Bighorn Sheep	May 23, 2018	June?
Wyoming	Resident Elk	May 31, 2018 – left over draw July	June 21
	Non-resident Elk	Jan 31, 2018 Too Late – left over tags June	Feb. 22
	Resident & Non-res. Deer, Antelope	May 31, 2018 – left over tags June	June 21
	Resident & Non-res. Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat	Feb. 28, 2018 -Too Late	May 10
	Resident & Non-res. Bison	Feb. 28, 2018 -Too Late	May 10

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As Mar 2, 2018, the deadlines have past for all Limited Entry Hunts in Utah (can still hunt General Season for elk) and most hunts in Wyoming and for elk and antelope hunts in Arizona. Washington state still has not published their 2018 hunt regulations and have not set deadlines for their hunts.

You may not know until you go to their websites and they are ready to take your application (or not). Remember, these are state bureaucracies, not private businesses. If you want to hunt in their state, it’s up to you to learn the rules, jump though all their hoops and find the information you need.

Some states stipulate a particular time of day applications must be received on the deadline date, so make sure you don’t miss that deadline in case it ends before midnight.

When Table 1 was first posted, not all states had published their application dead lines. The table will be updated as application dates are finalized. The table shows some 2017 dates (highlighted in yellow) until the 2018 dates are available. The deadline and results dates usually don’t differ by a few days each year.

Do not worry if you can not find information about the application deadline for the state you want to hunt this year. None of the states will be accepting applications until the deadlines dates are published.

Both residents and non-residents can apply for tags (some states call them licenses) to hunt elk, mule deer, pronghorn or other big game. Since some tags are limited, they are awarded through a lottery system. In some states these are call these Limited Entry tags or licenses and other states call them Controlled tags or licenses.

Which Species of Deer to Hunt?

Nevada and Utah only have one species of deer (mule deer), all other western states have at least two species of deer (mule deer and black-tailed or white-tailed deer). In addition to the Rocky Mountain Mule Deer and White=tailed deer, California also has other subspecies of mule deer such as California Mule Deer, Inyo Mule Deer, Burro Mule Deer and Southern Mule Deer). Arizona has the Coues, which is another subspecies of White-tailed Deer. In some states that have plenty of deer, you may be able to hunt any deer species and other cases, you will be limited to only one species.

Which States to Hunt Elk?

Elk can be hunted in any of the Western states if you draw a Limited Entry tag. But elk populations are still high enough in seven western states that tags can be purchased over the counter. Five states still allow non-residents to hunt elk without winning the lottery (learn more).

Hunt Unique Game Species in Arizona and New Mexico

Arizona and New Mexico offer opportunities to hunt unique species like Barbary Sheep, Ibex, Oryx, and Javalina.

Hunt Bison in Four States

Believe it or not, there is a small chance you can draw a tag to hunt Bison in Arizona, Montana, Wyoming or Utah.

Arizona has both Spring and Fall hunts, which have different application deadlines. Bison are found in two wildlife areas (WA) managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The Raymond WA is east of Flagstaff and the House Rock WA is east of the North Kaibab area. In 2016, the fall hunt awarded 16 out of 2,282 total applicants (1:143).

In Montana, bison hunts are in units 385 and 395 where bison move outside of Yellowstone National Park. Montana apparently does not show drawing odds for bison.

Utah has three hunting areas for Bison; Antelope Island State Park, the Henry Mountains and the Book Cliffs. As an interesting note, genetic testing showed the only genetically pure bison found in North America was found on the Henry mountain herd. Genetically pure; meaning no bovine (cow) genes. In 2016, 103 resident permits were issued from 9469 applicants (1:92) and 9 non-resident permits were issued from 4879 applicants (1:542) .

In Wyoming, Bison are primarily using Grand Teton National Park and move onto the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the National Elk Refuge and private property near Jackson. In 2015, 8 out 692 (1:87) non-residents were successful in drawing a Bull Bison tag and 53 of 192 (1:28) non-residents were successful in drawing a cow Bison tag.

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A Note about the Bonus Point or Preference Point Process

All states except Idaho and New Mexico use preference or bonus point systems for the drawings. Each state’s draw system is slightly different, but it basically means every year you do not draw a tag, you get a bonus point. People with the most bonus points have the best chance to draw a tag, but beginners without any points still have a small chance to draw a tag. Read the regulations carefully, because each state is different.

Since Idaho and New Mexico do not use a bonus point system, everyone has the same (low) chance every year to draw a tag. Idaho has been considering a bonus point system, but have not yet adopted the new system. If they do change to a bonus point system, it will be good for those that get into the system early.

Note: State hunting regulations are complicated. The information is hard to find and state websites are confusing, sometimes misleading and they constantly change the links on their websites. I take the time to look this data up simply to help non-resident hunters to understand when to apply for tags and when OTC tags can be purchased. I do my best to make sure all information is correct, but make sure you check with the state you want to hunt so you won’t miss the deadline to apply for limited entry tags or to buy OTC tags. If anyone has updated information, please let me know.