5 TIPS TO DRAW MORE TAGS WHEN APPLYING FOR WESTERN HUNTS
With ever-increasing demand, coveted hunting tags are becoming more difficult to secure. However, with a solid strategy, you can improve your odds of obtaining a dream hunting opportunity. Each state has a unique application process, making the idea of “applying for tags” feel daunting and downright perplexing. The right strategy can help you apply across more states and species, bringing you closer to making your dream a reality.
We all dream of embarking on an elk hunt in Montana or venturing high into the Rockies to chase Colorado’s velvet-crowned mule deer. Such hunts remain elusive because demand has made most western tags draw-only, and many don’t bother even applying for permits and points. Simply put, you won’t draw if you don’t apply. If you want to hunt elk, mule deer, or antelope, you need to be applying and building points. If you’re not already doing this, here’s a great read to get you started!
KEY TERMS TO UNDERSTAND:
Preference Points– The preference point system is the most used system when applying for western hunts. This system is very simple: the more points you have, the more chances you have to draw the tag! Last year I hunted a Colorado Mule Deer unit that needed 2 preference points to be guaranteed to draw, I had 3! Over 100% chance to draw that tag (and I did).
Lottery Tags– Pure luck. A random draw. These states like Arizona (for most species) are strictly a lottery state. Not drawing can obtain you a bonus point, which helps your odds the following year, but again, it’s all based off a pure lottery system, aka LUCK!
Bonus Points (NOT THE SAME AS A PREFERENCE POINT)- Bonus points act as another name in the hat for you to get drawn. But, there is no max number to guarantee your success, like the preference point system. Some states (like Nevada) square your bonus points as well, doubling your odds each year. Basically, a failed attempt to draw a tag results in a bonus point (ie: more names in the hat next year). But, a random person with 5 bonus points could draw ahead of you with 10. Some luck is certainly involved in this lottery system!
Secondary Draw and Return Tags- This draw is the second round of looking at applications for tags that did not fill the quota and will now be filled from a second draw. Some of these tags that can now be obtained in this secondary draw will be returned tags from successful hunters who drew the tag on their primary draw, but decided to turn the tag back in. Colorado, for example, typically always has a few great tags on the return tag list that will be available on the second draw. This is definitely something to pay attention to, state by state.
1- BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF!
The key to getting more tags in your pocket, in my opinion, is to have a great gameplan on what YOU actually want to accomplish! What are your goals for western bowhunting? Which hunts can you actually afford to do? Which hunts can you physically do? For example, if you have the extra money to spend on a premium sheep tag/hunt, but know you will never get yourself in elite shape – then these are NOT the hunts for you!
What I mean by this is don’t waste your time researching, planning and applying for tags and hunts that you know you won’t enjoy, or couldn’t actually do! Base your plans from the very beginning off of what YOU want to accomplish and nobody else.
If opportunity is more important than quality, then apply for easier to draw tags that you can get every few years, instead of only applying for elite tags in elite units that could take years and years of applying! Bottom line, focus only on what YOU want to do.
2- START OFF SMALL AND LEARN!
When starting your research for western tags, I recommend starting off small and breaking it into a species, or two – and in a state, or two. For example, many years ago, I started with deer and elk, in Colorado and Utah. I slowly read, researched and learned about how each of these states handled their draw systems, deadlines, tag allocations and what areas held the best high country (what I love to hunt) for deer and elk.
From there, I started to obtain points and apply for tags. After a few years, I really learned the systems well, and then decided to branch out into a few other states. By starting off small, I didn’t overwhelm myself!
There is tons of information out there (articles, YouTube, GoHunt, OnX, blogs, etc) – USE THEM ALL TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE.
3- ORGANIZATION IS KEY!
One thing that I learned really quickly when applying for western hunts, is that if you are not organized with all of this, you will suffer!
For example, if you forget to buy points in Wyoming for two straight years, you go back to zero! Yep, I made that mistake and it’s because I wasn’t organized! I don’t care if it’s a spreadsheet for each state and species, or if you hire an agency like Huntin Fool, or The Huntian to do your applications (which is a great idea if you’re applying in every state and every species, like myself and many other bowhunters). Either way, being organized will pay off!
In order to apply for, and obtain good tags, you’ll need to know which states and which tags have good odds to draw! You’ll also need to know deadlines, application requirements, at what point you need to go from obtaining points to applying for tags, when to look into secondary draws and much more!
With each state being different, organization per state and per species is an absolute must if you want to maximize your odds of drawing tags!
4- APPLY! APPLY! APPLY!
I cannot stress enough the importance of applying for the tags you want! IF YOU DO NOT APPLY FOR TAGS I CAN ASSURE YOU, YOU WILL NOT BE GRANTED THEM!
This sounds super elementary, but I know a ton of guys, with a ton of points, but they never actually do anything with them! They don’t apply for tags, so therefore they have NO chance to draw!
In my opinion, being a member of companies like GoHunt, for example, is worth its weight in gold when looking to apply for tags! By being a GoHunt member you can research tags, draw trends, yearly success rates, odds to draw the tag this year, and so much more! A GoHunt subscription will absolutely allow you to apply for more tags, which increases your odds of having tags to hunt on this fall!
Like I said, “ if you do not apply, you will not get any tags!” Even a tag which is a 30% odds, gives you a decent chance to draw that tag to hunt! But, if you don’t apply, it’s a guarantee your chances are 0%. Put your name in the hat and I can promise you that more times than once, you’ll draw a tag and be damn happy you applied and took your chance!
We don’t live forever and only get one life to live, so APPLY for those tags and give yourself an opportunity!
5- BUILD POINTS AND HUNT AT THE SAME TIME!
I cannot stress enough the importance of not only building points, but actually hunting as well! What I mean by this is that if Elk are your main priority, and your big dream is to kill a giant bull on a Nevada or Utah limited entry hunt; you better know what you’re doing once you draw one of those coveted tags!
It does you no good to apply for 25 years, get points, FINALLY draw this tag and then have absolutely no experience elk hunting. You’re now banking on yourself, with no experience, on applying and building 25 years worth of time, money and effort. I don’t know about you, but I don’t love those odds!
What I like to do is separate states and species into categories that I deem “Once in a Lifetime, or Limited Entry tags” and then view other states and tags that are much easier to obtain, as the primary tags that I will attempt to get rather often. For example, I build points in Arizona and Nevada for elk, which are tough states to draw, but make sure I have a Utah or Colorado elk tag to hunt on every year. These are “general season” tags, or deemed “over-the-counter” / 0-point unit tags. Their quality is not great compared to other tags, but I’m hunting elk, learning about elk and building experience in the woods, so that when I do draw these premium tags, I’m not a rookie at the game!
Some states, like Colorado, for example, let you draw a tag on your second choice, and still build a point! So, in theory, you can build a point and hunt on your second choice tag, all in the same year! I do this often. It’s allowing me to build my points bank and still hunt. A win-win!
All in all, drawing more tags and being able to hunt more places, comes down to effort and know how. Do your research, stay organized, make a plan for YOU and rest assured, you’ll obtain more tags than those who do not! Good luck this fall!
–Clint Casper (@casperclint) // Profesional Bowhunter
IMPORTANT APPLICATION DATES AND DEADLINES!
MONTANA – DEER, ELK & ANTELOPE
Opens: 03/01/2025
Closes: 04/01/2025
Link to MT Fish and Game
COLORADO – ALL SPECIES
Opens: 03/01/2025
Closes: 04/01/2025
Link to CO Parks and Wildlife
UTAH – ALL SPECIES
Opens: 03/20/2025
Closes: 04/24/2025
Link to UT Division Of Wildlife
NEVADA – ALL SPECIES
Opens: 03/24/2025
Closes: 05/07/2025
Link to NV Department of Wildlife
WYOMING – DEER, ELK & ANTELOPE
Opens: 01/02/2025
Closes: 06/02/2025
Link to WY Game and Fish
ARIZONA – DEER & SHEEP
Opens: 05/15/2025
Closes: 06/03/2025
Link to AZ Fish and Game
IDAHO – CONTROLLED DEER, ELK & ANTELOPE
Opens: 05/01/2025
Closes: 06/05/2025
Link to ID Fish and Game
