Applications by state.

[FemoralArchery]

I have always been interested in applying in other states, but don't know much about the regulations other than my home state. I often find other states' regulations to be somewhat confusing. I can practically recite my state's regs by memory, years of experience, I reckon. I would like to have people from all elk hunting states come here and explain how the application process in their state works. If its at all possible, mention prices, dates, and other pertinant information that a new guy would find useful.

This would basically be a resource for all people looking to elk hunt(especially non residents, and those who have no elk hunting experience at all) to come and see what each state offers and help in the decision making process.

I'll go first with my home state of Idaho.

Nonresident hunting license: $154.75
Nonresident Elk tag: $416.75
Nonresident controlled hunt application fee: $14.75
There are two types of hunts in Idaho, OTC(over the counter or general hunt) and controlled hunts (limited entry hunts that must be drawn for).
You can apply for the hunt of your choice, and if you don't draw, you can buy an OTC tag.

(1st)Application period: May 1st - June 5th
Winners notified by July 10th(usually results are available the last week of June, but F&G will tell you July 10th to be safe)
Draw winners must purchase their tags by August 1st. All tags not picked up by this date will go into the second drawing. Any tags that were undersubscribed(more tags than applicants) will go into the second drawing. The second drawing is usually only 1 or 2 or maybe a handful of tags for several hunts. The odds are usually extremely low, everyone in the state that didn't draw the first time are after these few tags. Its not something to make your plans by, but you can always dream.
(2nd) Application period August 5-15
Windders of second draw notified by August 25th.

Idaho does not have a points system. It is 100% random draw. Everyone has the same chance. If you draw an antlered (bull tag) you may not apply the next year for an antlered tag in the first drawing. You can always apply for the second drawing, or for another species.

Nonresidents are allowed to draw up to 10% of any given controlled hunt. It is not a guaranteed 10%. I've seen alot of nonresidents complain about this on other forums, but in reality, nonresidents make up right around 10% of the overall applicants. It will really hurt you if you are applying for hunts with very few tags. I suggest looking up the draw odds first, to see what the odds are like.

You must purchase your license before you can apply for controlled hunts.

If you have anything to add for Idaho or get the other states on here, feel free.

[cohunter14]

Colorado:

Nonresident Bull Elk Tag (2013): $589
Nonresident Cow Elk Tag (2013): $354
You are also required to purchase a Habitat Stamp that is $10

You can apply for tags in Colorado through the draw, but there are also over-the-counter tags available for both archery and 2nd & 3rd rifle seasons. Tags can also be purchased as leftovers if all of the alloted tags for a given unit were not purchased via the application. Preference Points are awarded to those who either apply for a point or don't draw their first choice in the draw. Certain units require a minimum amount of preference points to draw a tag. Those can be found on the statistics page of the Colorado DOW Website here: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Pages/Statistics.aspx

The Colorado DOW also has a link to their annual Big Game Regulations Brochure, which provides more detailed information along with hunt codes used for each unit and season. That can be found by going to this page and clicking on the Big Game Regulations Brochure in the left hand column: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/Pages/BigGame.aspx

The application due date is typically in early April (April 2nd for 2013).

[Still Hunter]

Sad to say a cow tag in Colorado will be going up to $450 next year.

[bnsafe]

really, how bout the bull tags

[Still Hunter]

really, how bout the bull tags

Just a little bit. I think it's going to be $600.

[cnelk]

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife uses the Consumer Price Index from the Denver Boulder counties here in Colorado.
The Non Res license fee increases are based on the percentage increase in that Index - for both cow and bull.

Since herd objectives are being met, the value of the cow elk tag has increased more

[bnsafe]

interesting, an I don't wanna hijack this thread but, if cow tags are going up to 450, an bull tags are staying at 600 I would think they would sale a lot less cow tags, an put the mngt out of balance. but that's another thread, sorry for hijacking.

[cnelk]

Scott
That is the intent. Since the herd is now in the objective, the cows become a more valuable resource.
The law of supply and demand even effects elk hunting

[Moose-head]

It would also be helpful to know which states want the $$$ sent in when you apply for special permits and which states let you pay after you are drawn.

[Still Hunter]

interesting, an I don't wanna hijack this thread but, if cow tags are going up to 450, an bull tags are staying at 600 I would think they would sale a lot less cow tags, an put the mngt out of balance. but that's another thread, sorry for hijacking.

They control the herd by the number of tags they offer, not the price. If the NR doesn't buy them, the residents will.

[ishy]

Utah applications due in Feb. NR cost is $65 for a license up front plus $10 for each species you put in for. If drawn it's $800 (why I'm still buying points).
One little $ saver is that Utah's license is for 365 days not a calendar year, so if you plan your applications right and the first year you apply towards the end of feb. the next year the beginning of feb you don't have to buy another license the second time you apply.
Utah does bonus points. The top 1/2 of the tags go to the guys with the most points.
OTC tags are $400
You can hunt any bull units or spike/cow in most of the le units otc.
They also have about 200 tags they draw at the Sportsman Expo I think its usually in Feb. $5 a pop, but you have to be present.

[Indian Summer]

Montana:

Elk licenses are by draw and funds/apps must be in by March 15th ($809)... HOWEVER... the draw odds have been 100% for several years and once the results are out in late April they will sell leftover licenses on a 1st come first served basis until the end of August which is just prior to the start of archery season. Deer licenses are by the same rules and the cost is $570. An elk/deer combination license is $959

The licenses also includes small game, upland bird and fishing. There are TONS of the 3 species of grouse in the high country in most places. With that license you can hunt both archery which runs from the 1st Saturday in September to about October 15th as well as the firearms season which begins around October 20th or so, always on a Saturday, until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. That is a total of about 11 weeks of hunting. To bow hunt you must also purchase a $10 archery stamp.

Any areas requiring a special permit must also be applied for at the same time. They only require a $10 application fee. You can still hunt all of the non-permit units if you draw one of those. Hunters who do not draw a permit (or license) will accumulate bonus points toward future drawings if they choose to pay the additional $20 for the point at the time of application.

[Indian Summer]

Wyoming:

The Cowboy State has the earliest application deadline which is January 31st. They do however have a points only period from July 31 to September 31 where you can simply buy a point online.

Each species drawing is separated into two categories. Regular & Special. Special usually, but not always, means better odds. For the GEN (General) Elk license this holds true. It takes one point to draw the tag for $577. But for $1057 in the Special draw the tag is guaranteed. There is more than one reason to shell out the extra money though. In WY if you do NOT draw your FIRST choice you gain a bonus point. If you draw your first pick you lose all of your points. Therefore... I can apply for a really top notch tough to draw unit for my first choice and as long as I applied for the Special License... get my general statewide tag and still keep racking up points. SO... there is NO REASON to apply for that Special License without entering a top unit as your first pick. Get the tag and maybe the killer license and if not, the point as well. Whoever said you can't have your cake and eat it too never applied for big game licenses in Wyoming.

Deer works the same way and the prices are $312 for a Regional Deer and $552 for the Special. Most deer tags take one point to draw as well... if they are worth having.

The good news is that the general units for elk have awesome hunting. I have yet to hunt anywhere other than those places and see plenty of elk with bulls to yep...... 350+! One other thing worth mentioning is that they offer leftover tags after the draw. There are some really great leftover elk tags with one catch: They are in griz country. if you don't mind losing a little sleep you can get one and have a chance at some real quality bulls. Right now although the mule deer herd is down there it is still a place where hunters can possibly find 200 inch bucks on public land with easy to get licenses.

[Indian Summer]

Pennsylvania:

Put your ten bucks in the hat and pray like the Pope!

Deadline is in March. Bulls go to 400+ and it's a really easy hunt. The hard part is drawing the tag. If you draw it give me a call and well go kill the hog of both of our dreams!

VERY good idea for a thread Femoral!

[FemoralArchery]

Thanks IndianSummer.

Idaho requires the purchase of the license $154.75 before you apply and the $14 application fee is required at the time of application. You don't have to pay for the tag unless you draw and choose to purchase. If other things in life come up, don't buy the tag. Just remember to buy it by August 1st or you lose your chance...

[MTLongdraw]

Is Idaho still set up where you buy either an a tag or a b tag ( I think that's how it was explained to me). If I remember right the A tag was good for all archery season then like 10 days of rifle or the B tag was set up for two weeks of archery and all of rifle...Maybe I misunderstood that. Can you give more insight?

[FemoralArchery]

Is Idaho still set up where you buy either an a tag or a b tag ( I think that's how it was explained to me). If I remember right the A tag was good for all archery season then like 10 days of rifle or the B tag was set up for two weeks of archery and all of rifle...Maybe I misunderstood that. Can you give more insight?

Kinda sorta maybe. The general tag for elk comes in two options: A tags and B tags. Usually, the A tag is geared towards archery and the B tag towards rifle hunters, usually.

I'm from southern Idaho, but what you are describing sounds like Northern units.

Most general hunts for elk include multiple units. These are referred to as the Elk Zones. Each and every one is different. The Zone I hunt in has an A tag hunt, archery any elk from Aug 30 to Sep 30. Then has a B tag, any weapon (referred to as rifle season here, although any legal hunting weapon is allowed: bow, muzzy, rifle, pistol, shotgun) for bulls only from Oct 15 to Nov 9.

As you can see, my zone is pretty cut and dry: A tag for archery, B tag for rifle.

Several other zones have multiple hunt opportunities like you describe. The Idaho hunting regs have a pretty simple layout (in my opinion) for the general hunts. You flip pages til you find your desired Zone (or specific unit within the zone) and see what's available.

Or

You can scan through and see which zones offer the type of hunts you are looking for or the dates you desire and buy the appropriate tag.

Some zones have limits for the number of tags, some don't. All are first come-first serve.

[weaver]

I

Is Idaho still set up where you buy either an a tag or a b tag ( I think that's how it was explained to me). If I remember right the A tag was good for all archery season then like 10 days of rifle or the B tag was set up for two weeks of archery and all of rifle...Maybe I misunderstood that. Can you give more insight?

In the zone i archery hunt an A tag is good for either sex for archery season then its good for a cow with a muzzleloader in mid october. No B tags available.
Were i rifle hunt the A tags are good for either sex during archery then for a cow during rifle. B tags are good for spike or cow during first half of archery then bull only for rifle.
As you can see A tag favors archery and B is better for rifle but they still give you opportunity for either season. Like FA said all zones are different.

[ishy]

Another tid bit for Idaho is that a handful of the southern units are le for rifle and are otc for archery.

[cohunter14]

This is all very interesting info...I also find it interesting that Colorado still has the cheapest tags for cows and almost the cheapest for bulls. I have heard non residents complaining about the price increases over the years and say they are going to hunt elsewhere, but anywhere else they go they are pretty much spending as much or more.

[Still Hunter]

What hunters don't realize is they've been getting a discount on cows for a few years. It's just back where it belongs now. 25% less than bull tags.

[Indian Summer]

This is all very interesting info...I also find it interesting that Colorado still has the cheapest tags for cows and almost the cheapest for bulls. I have heard non residents complaining about the price increases over the years and say they are going to hunt elsewhere, but anywhere else they go they are pretty much spending as much or more.

Wyoming's bull tag is actually a few buck cheaper in the Regular drawing. I guess you did say "almost"

[ABQ_Chica]

New Mexico is a bit pricey for non-residents:

Standard bull or either sex tag = $555
Quality/High Demand bull or either sex tag = $780
(Antlerless tags are now residents only.)

2014 deadline to enter the state drawing for elk is March 19; results are available April 1.

All hunters must purchase a Game Hunting license or a Game Hunting & Fishing License before applying for the draw.

NM does not have a point system.

NM has resident/non-resident quotas:
84% of draw licenses go to NM residents.
10% of draw licenses go to NM residents and non-residents contracting with a NM-registered outfitter.
6% of draw licenses to non-residents who will not use an outfitter.

Non-residents can also purchase private-land elk licenses from landowners, which range anywhere from $200 to $15,000 (depending on the unit, season, and whether it's for a bull or cow). Some of these are specific to a particular ranch; some are unit-wide. Clarify before you buy.

The duration licenses are good for also varies.
Archery: 9/1 - 9/22 (or portions thereof, depending on the unit)
Rifle/Muzzleloader: 10/4 - 12/10 (licenses are usually only good for specific 5-day periods within that time frame)

NM's Valles Caldera offers elk hunts through a separate lottery system. That deadline is also March 19. Lottery tickets are $30 for mature bull/either-sex hunts. The state's 84%/10%/6% quotas apply.
Archery: 9/2-8 and 9/12-16
Muzzleloader: 10/4-8
Any weapon: 10/11-12/1 (licenses are only good for specific 5-day periods within that time frame)

This is from the newly-released 2014-2015 NM Hunting Rules (http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/index.htm). Feel free to add to or correct any of this info. Hope this helps.

Good luck to everyone applying this year!

[cohunter14]

Wyoming's bull tag is actually a few buck cheaper in the Regular drawing. I guess you did say "almost"

Exactly, I know it's close. But they have continued to go up and every time they do you hear of boycotting. I guess I just always assumed you could hunt cheaper in other states

[Indian Summer]

Exactly, I know it's close. But they have continued to go up and every time they do you hear of boycotting. I guess I just always assumed you could hunt cheaper in other states

Not sure if you mean continued to go up in CO or WY. I'm not up on what's going on in Colorado but yes... Wyoming is talking about increases and I think people talk about boycotting there and other states when they hear about rising license fees. I agree I think everyone should boycott Wyoming. Me and you and all the other people here could go there and hunt some really good places then right!

I've been waiting for someone to give us the scoop on New Mexico. Thanks ABQ-Chica!

[Mikeha33]

I hope this isn't too much of a novice question for this thread, but I have absolutely zero knowledge of drawings and point systems.

Ill use Ishy's Utah post to base my question off of.
If I buy a license for $65, plus the $10 per species list, I'm in for $75 already with no guarantees, right? If I do this for three years, and finally on the 4th year, I draw, does the money I've already put down ($300) go towards my NR tag? In this instance, $800? Or do I fork over the license fee and the point fee every year, and then still pay full price for my NR tag?
Is this confusing? I'm trying to get a grasp on this, sorry if it is.

[Peskadot]

I'm quite sure you will still have to pay the full price of the tag.

[weaver]

I hope this isn't too much of a novice question for this thread, but I have absolutely zero knowledge of drawings and point systems.

Ill use Ishy's Utah post to base my question off of.
If I buy a license for $65, plus the $10 per species list, I'm in for $75 already with no guarantees, right? If I do this for three years, and finally on the 4th year, I draw, does the money I've already put down ($300) go towards my NR tag? In this instance, $800? Or do I fork over the license fee and the point fee every year, and then still pay full price for my NR tag?
Is this confusing? I'm trying to get a grasp on this, sorry if it is.

Every state is different. In utah your hunting license is good for a full year from date of purchase so you can apply for 2 years and only buy 1 license. When you draw you will stillhave to pay full tag fee.
In states like arizona license costs $150 plus application fees so it gets expensive quick to play the draw game.

[Texasdan]

Exactly, I know it's close. But they have continued to go up and every time they do you hear of boycotting. I guess I just always assumed you could hunt cheaper in other states

Not sure if you mean continued to go up in CO or WY. I'm not up on what's going on in Colorado but yes... Wyoming is talking about increases and I think people talk about boycotting there and other states when they hear about rising license fees. I agree I think everyone should boycott Wyoming. Me and you and all the other people here could go there and hunt some really good places then right!

I've been waiting for someone to give us the scoop on New Mexico. Thanks ABQ-Chica!

Wyomings requirement for a non-res to have a resident accompaniment keeps me out of it. (Unless a resident DIY'r on here wants to throw out an invite! )

On the other hand I will forever love the fishing and big long climbs.

[cohunter14]

Not sure if you mean continued to go up in CO or WY. I'm not up on what's going on in Colorado but yes... Wyoming is talking about increases and I think people talk about boycotting there and other states when they hear about rising license fees. I agree I think everyone should boycott Wyoming. Me and you and all the other people here could go there and hunt some really good places then right!

Yeah, I was referring to CO's going up, but I am with you...boycott! LOL.

Mikeha, to answer your question for CO, if you apply and don't get a tag, you get a refund for the full cost of the tag minus the $3 processing fee. So a point is essentially $3 a year.

[cnelk]

Derek
The $3 only applies if hunters have purchased a hunting/fishing license in the previous/current year.
If a hunter applies for a PP and did not buy a license in the previous/current year, $25 will be added.
See page 7 of the Regulations for more info

[cohunter14]

Derek
The $3 only applies if hunters have purchased a hunting/fishing license in the previous/current year.
If a hunter applies for a PP and did not buy a license in the previous/current year, $25 will be added.
See page 7 of the Regulations for more info

You are correct, I forgot about that. Thanks Brad!

[timberland]

Interesting Thread. Do you forfeit the $65 in NM or is that included in they refund if you don't get drawn?

[pointysticks]

i heard chatter about a box you can checkmark if you want the $65 back from NM. i cannot confirm this. my eyes are usually clamped shut while praying to a higher being.."please let this be my year....."

let me add.

Valles Caldera..NM. $25 for each chance. only one try per hunt, with a max of five choices.. there are only TWO archery hunts..so i am plopping down $50 for the hail mary's of hail marys..like Mary herself is throwing up the long ball to a bunch of wide recievers !! loooooooonnnnngggggg shot.

you win..you get a letter from the TRUST that you can proudly walk into any NM game office and plop down on the desk..proclaiming..give me my tag!!

[timberland]

Wonder if my Pastor would consider that gambling. Maybe I need to ask his permission instead of the Brides

[timberland]

I draw a unit in CO without PP. I would like to start accumulating PP without burning them on an easy draw. Is this possible? All archery hunting. Would like to try some GMU's that need 2-5 PP.

[Still Hunter]

I draw a unit in CO without PP. I would like to start accumulating PP without burning them on an easy draw. Is this possible? All archery hunting. Would like to try some GMU's that need 2-5 PP.

You can if you can draw your unit as a 2nd pick. Just take a point as your 1st pick.

[timberland]

Will I burn the earned pt the following year if I accept my draw tag for the easy GMU?

[cohunter14]

Will I burn the earned pt the following year if I accept my draw tag for the easy GMU?

No, as long as you don't get your first choice pick, you get a preference point. So if you draw with your second choice pick, you get a point and the tag.

[Still Hunter]

Will I burn the earned pt the following year if I accept my draw tag for the easy GMU?

As was said. If you want to build points. You can never get a 1st pick. You can always do this by taking a point as a 1st pick, and hope to get a 2nd choice. You can then buy and OTC tag is you fail on your 2nd pick.

Hunting for cows as a 2nd pick is a good way to build points.

[rowdycwby1]

To answer your question timberland the $65 is refundable if you check the box to get it refunded if you don't get drawn the only thing thats not refundable is the application fee and I want to say NR application fee is $20 I'll try to find out fir sure you also have to buy a$5 Habitat stamp AND $4 Habitat management and access validation.

[Blackhorn]

Wyoming question. As I understand it a non resident can't hunt national forests or wilderness, is there enough "other" public land to make it worth while?

[wawhitey]

Washington

non resident fees:

turkey #1 $44.50 additional turkey tags $66.50
deer: $434.30
elk: $497.00
bear: $222.00 (no hounds / baiting)
cougar: $222.00 (no hounds allowed)
special hunt applications (quality deer/ quality elk/ moose, bighorn, goat etc) $110.50 each
moose, sheep or goat (if drawn, yeah right) $1,652.00

washington has a couple things going for it to discourage non residents from applying for special hunts. first off, the $110.50 application fee, pretty gross. second, you have to actually buy a deer license to apply for quality deer, buy an elk license to apply for quality elk, etc. so you cant just apply for something and be out only the app fee if not drawn. i really doubt any out of staters want to spend $110 on an app fee every year for 30 years to maybe draw a moose tag. and yeah it can take that long, if you ever even do draw. why? because we have a points based system, unlike idaho. pretty messed up. there are good otc hunting opportunities here, but if you dont live here i wouldnt even consider applying for special hunts unless you have hundred dollar bills falling out of your ass. but aside from that, if you do come hunt here, please take a bear home with you.