April 19, 2025

UPDATED: April 19, 2025

The hunting is not improving in Washington, so maybe we should look harder at the

opportunities elsewhere. Following are application dates in other states coming up.

Big Game Draws

Utah applications are due April 24th

Utah requires a 123-dollar license and 16 dollars for each species application. You only

pay for the tag if you draw, I love Utah because they always offer a random tag, plus if

you apply long enough, their draw is a true preference point, so eventually you will

draw.

Tags are possible for antelope, deer, Elk, Bighorn sheep, Moose, desert and Rocky

Mountain Bighorn sheep, and Bison

Trophy quality is great. Particularly the early elk hunts. I have been there twice, and it

was fairly easy to get tag a six-point bull. The deer, if you draw one of the premium

units, should get you a 180 or better buck.

Don’t expect the bison hunt to be easy. After 9 days, I shot one with temperature in

single digits, laying in the snow at 300 yards, and the truck was a few miles away!

Wyoming moose, sheep, Mountain goat and bison tags are due April 30 th .

There is a preference point system, and you must submit the tag fee, although a hunting

license is not required.

Trick here is too due a little research and apply in areas that have a random draw.

Most state have better odds if you have more points, but not enough to win the

preference, but the random draw in Wyoming does not favor those with more points.

Idaho Sheep, Moose and Mountain goat applications are due April 30 th .

Idaho does not have a point system, and you may only apply for a special permit for one

species, and they require a $195.00 license, and you are required to front the tag money,

(about $2700.00). So, after you choke that down. The benefit is better odds than most

states offer.

The wolves have taken their share of the moose, but good bulls continue to be

harvested.

You can draw one Rocky Mountain ram and then you can draw a California Ram.

Montana sheep, moose, mountain goat, and Bison are due May 1 st

Montana has a point system, but it is like Washington. True the more points you

acquire, the better the odds, but it is a bonus point system, and the pool of numbers

rivals the national debt for the really good hunts. You could draw, or then again, you

may never draw.

Montana offers different units each year. I noticed that unit 270 is open this year for

Bighorns. The odds there might be better that those units that are so in demand along

the Missouri River.

Nevada is due May 7 th ----later

Jerry Barron