Can you believe it is that time of year again? Yes, it is December and almost 2022. However, it is also my second favorite time of year (next to hunting season) and that is called…..Big Game Application Season! This time of year can be euphoric for the big game hunter that knows what they are doing with applications. We all have our favorite unit that we have been applying for in the off chance that we get lucky and draw an amazing tag. We also have some more realistic expectations for other units and finally we have some easier or OTC options out there a last resort (or maybe your first?). On the other hand, this could also be a very stressful and daunting time of year because the anxiety hits that you aren't sure what to do, where to go, how all the applications work, etc. If that is you, don't worry because there are great opportunities for you to get some great help to take care of that business for you. On a business side, this is a busy time for me because I am working with clients on wrapping up their summary of point totals from 2021. I get excited looking at how many points clients have and what they could be hunting in the coming years. I also have the opportunity to get some clients together on hunts where they have similar goals and similar point outlook for 2022 and 2023. I'm also giddy as a kid on Christmas Day when I look at my own points and sit there planning what I will be doing 6-18 months from now with my point applications. Spread throughout 2022, I already have plans for 4 hunts with 2 being draw opportunities and 2 OTC areas.
Since we are in early December, it is important for you to know what states and species are going to be coming due and how that looks for your potential hunting season this fall. Let's start with the month of December as we have some apps coming due soon and then we can focus on January.
Alaska
Alaska is the first state to come due for the 2022 season. However, the due date is December 15th, 2021! If you have had a dream of hunting in Alaska, this might be the year for you to put your name in the hat and have the potential opportunity of getting out there. Here are the species that Alaska offers that you could apply for. (Muskox, Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Mountain Goat, Dall Sheep, Moose, Roosevelt Elk, Bison, Caribou)
Here are 7 things to know when looking to hunt Alaska.
There are over the counter tag options in the state so please know there are multiple opportunities to get out there this year.
Alaska is one of the only states where some of the best tags are not on the lottery draw. I know there is the assumption that if it is a draw, you will likely get a better tag but Alaska doesn't necessarily play in that same ball-game.
There are no bonus or preference points that you get when you apply. Everyone has the same opportunity to draw the same tag in their lottery system.
When you apply, you get 6 choices to put in your unit code and you could choose 6 different areas or you can choose just 1 and put all 6 opportunities in that same spot.
In order to apply, you have to have a valid license which will cost the Non-Resident $160.
You might get confused where you hear of a "locking tag." Alaska actually calls their Harvest Ticket as the license for most general season hunts in alaska. These are free for you once you know what you have drawn as a non resident. The thing that actually costs you money as a non-resident is the "Locking Tag." This is a piece of metal that needs to be attached to the animal once you harvest it. Residents only need to get a locking tag for Dall Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Grizzly Bears.
There is something called "Tagging Down" in Alaska. I think this is pretty sweet! Let's use the example that you have a Grizzly Tag in your pocket which cost $1,000. However, you happen to come across an Elk and you are thinking to yourself, "Damn, that is a fantastic bull elk. I wish I could shoot it." Well, you can! Because the elk locking tag costs less than the Grizzly, you can harvest the Elk instead. However, once you harvest that Elk, your hunt is over and you cannot take a Grizzly anymore. This truly opens up a bit more variability and opportunity for you when you are out there.
License/Locking Tag | Resident | Non-Resident |
Moose | Not Required | $800 |
Mountain Goat | Not Required | $600 |
Muskox | $500 | $2,200 |
Grizzly/Brown Bear | $25 | $1,000 |
Roosevelt Elk | Not Required | $600 |
Dall Sheep | Not Required | $850 |
Caribou | Not Required | $650 |
Bison | Not Required | $900 |
Black Bear | Not Required | $450 |
Wolf | Not Required | $60 |
Sitka Blacktail Deer | Not Required | $300 |
Annual License | $45 | $160 |
Wyoming
Wyoming is next up on the dockett for the year. The first species on the list is Elk with a due date of Feb 1st. In my opinion, Wyoming is a great state for hunter opportunity. There are many different species options, trophy quality aspects and various terrain options for everyone. I have hunted in flat plains, foothills of mountains, and some rough mountainous country within the state. Every single one had its unique challenges that made the hunt amazing in its own aspect. If you are looking to get a tag in some short and long term timelines, you can do it from Wyoming and you will have a great time. So, what should you know when applying about Wyoming?
Wyoming doesn't charge you for a hunting license to apply. You instead have to get a conservation stamp which is $12.50
If you plan to archery hunt, you will need to purchase a $72 Archery Stamp.
Tag fees will need to be paid up front. If you apply for Elk in January, you will be charged for the full tag fee and on top of it, you will be charged a credit card transaction fee. This is one of the parts that sucks when you apply in Wyoming. However, if it deters you from applying, it probably deterred others too so remember that is might help with odds. (At least you would hope)
Wyoming has 2 different tag options when applying. There is a "regular draw" and "special draw." You might ask yourself, "what is the difference?" Well, there really isn't a difference to the tag aside for the price. If you opt to apply in the regular draw, you will be paying less for that tag but you will be in a pool with more folks since it is cheaper. If you apply in the special, you will be put in a smaller pool of folks because the tag price is higher so less people will opt to pay more for that same tag. If you draw a regular tag or a special tag for the same unit, there is literally no difference to the tag itself. This all depends on how many points you have and how eager you are to hunt that desired unit.
License | Resident | Non-Resident |
Conservation Stamp | $12.50 | $12.50 |
Elk- Regular Draw | $62 | $707 |
Elk- Special Draw | NA | $1,283 |
Arizona
Arizona is a must apply for state if you are looking at trophy quality. While you will be waiting around for years to have the highest point punch to be guaranteed any sort of tag, if you do get lucky enough to draw a random tag with very low odds, you will be a very lucky individual. I have been fortunate enough to draw some tags in states, including AZ with very low odds. Last year was a perfect example with an Elk tag that I had less than 2% odds of drawing. In order for me to have been guaranteed that tag, I would have had to have had 16 points. Elk and Antelope are the first ones on the dockett. Applications open up in January and are due February 7th.
Here are a 2 things I'd like to point out about Arizona.
Arizona has a draw system that has Bonus points. However, it goes out into 3 separate aspects. The first aspect begins with the "Bonus Pass." 20% of all the tags will go in this round and it will be based on your first choice which works more like a preference point system where the individuals with the most points will get a tag. Another thing to know, only a max of 10% will be allocated to Non-Residents! This is very important to know! Once that Bonus Pass is allocated, there is a "Second Pass" which will take in account your 1st and 2nd choices but you are now in a random draw pool with everyone else that didn't get a tag on the max point round. Finally, there is a "3rd Pass" which goes through your 3rd-5th choice on your application. I would not recommend applying 3rd-5th choices unless you really know a unit or if you don't care about longer term goals. I personally would not want to lose my built up bonus points to a low quality unit on a lackluster choice.
You do have to purchase a license in order to apply. However, it isn't super pricey to apply per species so if you do venture into applying for a couple species, you might as well bite the bullet and do them all.
License | Resident | Non-Resident |
Combo Hunt/Fish License | $57 | $160 |
Elk | $148 | $665 |
Antelope | $103 | $565 |
A few other items to note. Dates and prices are subject to change and are not guaranteed as written in this article. The dates above are based on assumption from prior years as well as the pricing. We might see some slight changes in the coming months and weeks from each state which means being diligent is important.
If you do have questions or would like tag application assistance, please reach out. I have a service offering for everyone based on what their goals are and what preferences that might have for their short and long term goals.
I hope you all had a great 2021 season. I know the year isn't over yet but as you can see, my mind is already into 2022! Good luck out there folks!
Scout, Hunt, Repeat
Alex~
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