I live in Georgia and the only hunts I have been on to date, are ones where I bought a license over the counter from the local Walmart and hunted either private or public land, sometimes with a guide, sometimes not.

I dont understand how the application process works in some states to draw, sheep, elk, moose tags, etc. etc. etc.

I see stuff like Cabelas and Hunter Applications Services, but in my opinion, they charge a lot for something I feel like I can do myself, if I just understood the process a little more.

My questions are mainly what exactly happens once you draw the TAG.

I see that there are typically TAG fees that must be paid? How does that work? Are TAGS transferable? If I draw the TAG, do I save money with an outfitter or guide service because I got through the application process?

Since I'm not from these areas, I will have no former knowledge of the area to hunt much less anyone who might be able to help me. All I know is that "hey, one day I'd like to shoot a big horn sheep, or an Elk from AZ or a Moose. What's the best way to proceed once you draw a tag?

Is drawing a tag beneficial in saving you money for a guided or semi-guided hunt?

I know these may seem like dumb questions and I'm sure they are, but for you guys who do this regularly, could you give me the ABC's of drawing Tags?

SkyJacker,

I can tell you how it is in Arizona. We have a draw system here and there are some first come, first served over the counter tags available for leftover tags. Here you will have to fill out the draw forms as well as have or buy a license at the same time (we no longer have a internet draw system). There is a non refundable draw fee associated and you will have to also pay for the tag. If you are drawn then the tag will be mailed to you. If your not drawn then the tag fee will be refunded.

Once you are drawn, the tag is generally not transferable. It can be transfered to a child of the family if that child is between 10 and 17 years old however. The draw odds and fees are not "non resident" friendly here though. I've heard two numbers for draw weighting and they are 80 - 20 and 90 - 10 in favor of resident applicants. I don't know how they draw that however, i.e. draw all "80" for residents first and then the other "20" for non residents. An example of the draw fees are $121.50 for a resident elk tag and $595.00 for non resident. You don't even want to know about buffalo .

As to a guided hunt in AZ, I believe you have to have the tag before you can hire one. In other words, I don't believe they have "guide tags" available but I very well could be wrong.

Hopefully this helps as far as Arizona is concerned. Other states will have differing policies and procedures you can be sure.

Ken....

Skyjacker,

It's difficult to answer most of your questions because the laws/rules in most states in the West are different in regards to drawing permits/tags.

In some cases for certain species, however, no draw is necessary. It just depends on the critter and the state.

A few states, such as NM, ID and MT, do have a set aside number of permits/tags for those who hire an outfitter/guide. Other states have limits on the number of permits allocated to NRs for certain species. For example, in AZ NR's can draw UP TO 10% of the available permits and no more. Other states have similar limits in place.

Sooo...if this sounds like a non-answer, it is. BUT, if and when you decide on a specific animal and narrow down the states somewhat, we can better tell you what is involved, as Heat did with AZ.

TAGs and other Application Services just fill out the paperwork for you. They tell you the best units to apply for, and will front the $ for you until you draw (and charge you a fee for this). Once you draw a tag, it’s yours. All they’re doing is filling out the paperwork for you.

For DYI hunts on public land, just start putting in for points now. You don’t need to use TAGs.

Eastmans and the Huntn Fool have great info on where to go. Just start building up your points now, read up on what you want to hunt, visit the areas, and when you get it narrowed down to the species, state, and unit/area; just fill out your own paperwork. Almost everything is online now and it’s simple. Just know the deadlines and start putting in for points.

If you plan on going with a guide, talk to guide/outfitter directly about the tag you need and how hard it will be to draw, or if they have any landowner tags.

Good luck

Mr Mandile, this is a great idea for a new book! All kidding aside, somebody really should right a guidebook for us flatlanders that don't have to deal with this every year. Montana and wyoming are especially confusing. Of course this book would have to be updated every year, sounds like as much job security as anyone has nowadays.

Send me $20 and I'll fill out your application!

In Oregon, at least in my area, we have to draw for elk, deer, antelope, bighorn. I have been drawing my deer and elk tag about every 5 years. First buy license, decide where you want to hunt and what animal. Get five choices for an animal. Get your application in before the deadline, its 4.50 for an application. Then just wait. Thats about it

Narrow down your question a bit, and it is a little easier to answer. In very general terms:

The premier tags (often once in a lifetime, depends upon the state) like sheep, moose, mountain goat are almost always draw tags, for both resident and non-resident. Drawing the tag will not get you any special break on outfitter pricing, as everyone has to draw the tag. Generally, however, guide fees for these species aren't too high, as there are very few tag recipients and multiple guides who want your business. Many states offer some type of loyalty point which increases your odds of drawing with every rejection. Some states are truly random drawings. If you are fortunate enough to draw one of these premier tags, the guides will start contacting YOU!

For the more common species like deer, elk, and eantelope. it is much harder to generalize. The very premier tags in each state are very limited, hard to draw, and generally you have your chioce of more reasonably priced guides, once again due to competition and few tag holders.
More "average" draw tags MAY be in exclusive guide areas, where if you draw the tag you are limited to very few options for guides. This is particularly true if most of the unit is private land. Often only one guide will have rights to hunt a specific property, and some of these properties are so large they comprise the entire hunting unit! These guides can set their own prices (high) and you have few options but to pay. On the positive side, these tags are easier to draw. Again, some states give you some type of preference for years of unsuccessful applications, while others are true random drawings every year. As others have mentioned, many western states have "general" or over the counter tags as well, with decent hunting in many cases.

Send me a PM if you have specific questions.

Bill

Yeah, I asked a very benign question similar to this about zones for special elk permits in MT(I already drew my big game combo)on another forum. I got slaughtered.....called every name in the book......every insult you can possibly dream of.....called a cyberscout....but I didn't even ask a single specific question. You'd think I asked one of them to tie one to a tree for me. Really got my ire up.

The issue is that I put in for the combo draw because the odds are so much better than the regular Deer A license for nonres. I primarily go out there to hunt whitetail but would like to fill the elk tag if time and luck allow.....not looking for a trophy. When the time comes I will plan a dedicated bull elk hunt out there without the distraction of looking for other game.

I'll say this.....if you want serious answers from knowledgeable guys, AR is the forum.

quite often just looking at the states f&g website will give you some answers,and maps.
what you don't want to be fooled into is the areas like we have here where they sell 500 taags for and area and then the season is over before the animals begin to move into that area.
you can usually call the f& g for a particular state and depending on who you talk to they can be pretty helpful.

Here is a list of the information you need to apply;

1. species you want

2. area (provided that you have done your research and seen how much public land is available in your area). Or private if you plan on using an outfitter. If you call most outfitters they will tell you what area to apply for. They might even send you a filled out state application for their area. Land usage maps are available from the BLM and on line.

3. Application fees. Some states have an outfitter price that is more expensive but this tag must be used by you while you are employing an outfitter.

Pretty simple three step process.

Moose in Alaska and Canada is a over the counter tag. So are sheep, goats, elk, bears, and lions.

All these species are usually draw species in most western states.

quote:

Moose in Alaska and Canada is a over the counter tag. So are sheep, goats, elk, bears, and lions.

There are many exceptions to the above.

theres a magazine hunting fool. It tells you everything you need to know about every tag in the country.