Found out yesterday that dad and I drew our Kansas muzzleloader tags. Took the preference point that we built up last year, so I’m glad we made that investment when we did. September 22, season comes and we’ll be there 2 days beforehand to scout and get settled in before a week long hunt for big early season Kansas bucks!

Wouldn’t mind catching up to one that looks like this!

Photo courtesy of www.kansasangler.com

Bummer, no dice for this year.  VIsit the website to check on your draw application…even if you didn’t get drawn this year and even though might not get drawn until 10 years down the road, as the permit application process stands right now, it’s still one of the best bargains in North American big game hunting!

Well, I sent almost $340 towards the Midwest yesterday to apply for my Kansas early season muzzleloader unit 11 deer permit.  I’ve got a preference point from last year, so I shouldn’t have any trouble drawing a tag and neither should anybody else from the group we are taking to our lease up in SE Kansas.  This weekend, Kara and I are heading home to spend some quality time with the mothers, but I may also get out the smokepole and start doing some shooting.  I want 200% confidence with that baby when a 150″ whitetail shows up at 80 yards in September.  If you are planning a Kansas non-res hunt for 2008, your application for permit needs to be in by June 2.

Time to get your tag applications in for the state of Oregon.  This terrain-diverse and weather-crazed state has many big game hunting opportunities to experience.  On May 15th, the deadline arrives for pronghorn, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and deer tags.  Oregon is not necessarily a trophy destination for deer hunters, but both blacktails and mulies are available to hunt.  Also, Oregon boasts a Roosevelt elk population…a true test of will for those willing to tackle the Northwest’s temperate rainforests.

The deadline for applying to Nevada for a big game tag is rapidly approaching.  Hunters have until April 21 to submit their applications to the Nevada Department of Wildlife

Nevada has 3 species of sheep, plus mountain goat, mule deer, pronghorn and elk.  Nevada traditionally has lower game densities than states such as Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, but trophy quality is not lacking.  Nevada produces some monster elk and mule deer in some of their more coveted hunting units.  A unique opportunity exists in Nevada where archery seasons for mule deer open on August 1st, providing one of the nation’s best chances to monster velvet mulies in the highcountry.

Personally, I’ve never been to Nevada hunting, but I definitely have my eyes on one of their highcountry early season archery hunts…just gotta draw that tag.

Two more big game license application deadlines are fast approaching. New Mexico applications must be postmarked by April 7 and Colorado lotteries must be in by April 3.

New Mexico is a truly unique state because there are no preference or bonus points. That means that if this is your first year applying, you stand the same chance as someone who has been putting in for 21 years. The drawback - NM is home to some pretty steep draw odds. The state holds some truly HUGE elk and mulies, but tags are difficult to come by.

Colorado is a different state in many respects. Bountiful herds mean that elk and deer lotteries can offer some of the best draw odds and opportunities to tag an animal as anywhere in the West.

If you are planning on entering this year’s license lottery for deer/antelope in Wyoming or deer/elk in Montana, you have until March 15th to get your applications in.  I’m not planning on getting out to either state this year, but will be applying for my preference point for each state.  Montana announced last week that this is the last year for unlimited archery elk tags and unlimited archery pronghorn tags in certain regions of the state.  Both licenses will be going to a draw next fall. 

Deer Region C or antelope Unit 23 in Wyoming.  I’ve hunted both and would be glad to throw some tips your way.  Also, I have hunted just east of Billings, MT for mule deer and in the heart of the Bitterroot Mountains for archery elk on the MT/ID border.  Best of luck to all who draw the Unit 270 deer tag in MT, we saw some real stud mulies out there elk hunting a couple years ago. 

Despite long draw odds, the Kentucky elk hunt may well be the best bargain for East Coast hunters for BIG game.  Reintroduced to southeast Kentucky in 1997, the current population of over 7,000 is booming and well on its way to the target level of 10,000.  With the population exceeding expectations, Kentucky Department of Fisheries and Wildlife has announced there will be 400 permits available for the 2008 hunt.  The best part…it only costs $10 to apply and if drawn, nonresidents only have to fork out $365 for a tag once drawn.  If you’ve ever went elk hunting out West, you know that’s a bargain.  I know from experience that an outfitter elk/deer tag in Montana cost about $1,000 4 years ago.  Ouch!  What are you waiting for, you can’t afford NOT to apply for this hunt!

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Fisheries and Wildlife Resources Department

Head to the Kentucky website to get in on the 2008 Kentucky elk lottery now!  Deadline is April 30.

If you are like me, planning your next big game hunt to places far away is the next best thing to actually going hunting. If you are planning on hunting spring black bear or other big game in Utah or Wyoming, you’ve only got a few days to apply for your license applications. For spring black bear, you must apply by February 15 in Idaho and February 20 in Oregon. If you plan on tackling the rimrock country of Utah for mule deer, elk, sheep you are too late for this year.  But the deadline to apply for big game bonus/preference points isn’t for a couple more weeks, so don’t miss that deadline.  For those applying for Wyoming great bighorn sheep and Shiras moose tags, your applications must be received by February 29. In the next few days, I will post a detailed how-to DIY hunt for mule deer and pronghorn in northeast Wyoming.

Stay tuned for that if you are interested in an affordable Western big game hunting experience. Great for first timers!