2019 Western Big Game Hunting Application Deadlines

2019 Western hunting big game application deadlines

2018 Colorado mule deer. Photo credit: Chris Neville

It's already that time of year again... application season! 

2019 dates and deadlines

In the table below you will find the tentative 2019 state application deadlines, application strategy article release dates and tentative draw result dates. These dates will be modified as each state releases more information. Currently, they are based on previous years' deadlines by looking at what day of the week they are typically released or even the exact calendar date they tend to follow.

If you're new to goHUNT, we release state-by-state INSIDER Application Strategy Articles three to four weeks before each state deadline. We feel this is the perfect length of time for you to check out the new for 2019 regulations, unit boundary changes, herd dieoff information, and tag allocation changes before you try to draw your dream tag. Keep in mind, that you can always research for your upcoming season by utilizing our Filtering 2.0 tools well before we release each state's application strategy article. The 2019 Draw Odds update will be made available the first part of January 2019.

Another benefit to our online presence is you will have access to the latest and best information possible to help you prepare for hunts (we don't have to rush to publish tentative application information to meet print deadlines). Also, once an application strategy article is released, INSIDERs will be able to click on the date of release in the table below to view the entire application strategy article.

Note on draw result dates

Waiting on draw results can seem to take forever! And we understand that. Currently, the draw result dates are each based on when the 2018 results were released. As application season starts cranking up, I'll run through each state and provide either a concrete result date that we receive from the state or a result date based on the yearly trend of the states. Each year we get questions on why our draw result release dates don't exactly match up with what you might find in the regulations. But... our results dates listed are actually more accurate based on how some states release their draw odds early every year. The dates below are updated when the state released the deadline for 2018 and/or the exact day they released them in years past to give you a general guideline of when to expect the results. Most states go on a typical trend in releasing draw results and a lot of times they release them well before their listed date. That is why once regulations start to pour in, we will list both the state claimed draw result date, and the actual result date from the year before.

Also, tentative application deadlines are used until each state release their 2019 regulations. So for example, in 2019, Arizona's application deadline will be February 12 because their application deadline is always the second Tuesday in February. Nevada is typically the third Monday in April, etc.

2019 Application Strategy article publish date, state application deadlines and draw results

StateSpeciesStrategy article
released
State
application deadlines
(bold are state approved dates)
State draw
result dates
IdahoDeer & Elk OTC*NASee below
table
NA
South DakotaDeer Preference PointsNADecember 15NA
AlaskaAll speciesNADecember 172019 draw result release date:
Feb. 15

See 2019 results here
South DakotaDeer (archery), YouthNAJanuary 1NA
WyomingNonresident elkJan. 8January 312019 draw result release date:
Feb. 21 @ 10:00am MST

See 2019 results here
ArizonaElk, antelopeElk - Jan. 19
Antelope - Jan. 22
January 15 (paper)
February 12 (online)
2019 CC hit date: March 1
2019 date: March 8 - (Portal Account results)
OregonBlack bearNAFebruary 102019 draw result release date:
Feb. 20
New MexicoBlack bearNAFebruary 13--
UtahBlack bearNAFebruary 252019 draw result release date:
March 6
ArizonaCC Update Deadline
(elk, antelope) 
NAFebruary 28--
WyomingMoose, sheep,
goat, bison
All species - Feb. 11February 282019 date: May 9 @ 9 a.m. PST
See your 2019 results here
UtahMule deer, antelope, elk, sheep,
moose, mountain goat
(all species)
Elk & Antelope - Feb. 18
Deer - Feb. 24
Sheep, Moose, Goat - Feb. 28
March 72019 CC hit date: May 10
2019 results date: May 13 - Emails sent
NevadaMule deer
guided draw
Feb. 14March 112019 draw result release date: March 28
(results were emailed)
MontanaDeer, elkElk - Feb. 13
Deer - Feb. 20
March 152019 draw result release date:
April 22
See 2019 results here
New MexicoGuided draw
(all species)
Feb. 27March 202019 result release date: April 17
See 2019 results here
New MexicoAll speciesDeer/Elk - Mar. 10
Sheep/antelope - Mar. 6
Exotics - Mar. 15
March 202019 result release date: April 17
See 2019 results here
UtahBonus PointNAMarch 21NA
North DakotaBighorn Sheep, Elk, MooseNAMarch 272019 result release date (elk & moose:
April 18

See 2019 results here
ColoradoMule deer, whitetail deer, elk, antelope,
bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat
Deer - Mar. 11
Elk, Antelope - Mar. 20
Sheep, Moose, Goat - Mar. 26
April 2Sheep & goat
2019 result release date: May 3
See 2019 results here

Deer, elk, moose, antelope:
2019 result release date: June 5
See 2019 results here
South DakotaSpecial BuckNAApril 12**
KansasNonresident deerUtilize Filtering 2.0 and
Draw Odds for hunt research
April 262019 draw result release date: May 27
See 2019 results here
NevadaAll speciesDeer - April 3
Elk & Antelope - April 7
Sheep, Goat - April 16
April 292019 draw result release date: May 24
See 2019 results here
IdahoMoose, sheep,
goat
April 9April 302019 draw result release date:
May 17

See 2019 results here
MontanaMoose, sheep,
goat, bison
April 19May 12019 draw result release date: June 17
See 2019 results here
NevadaBonus Point/App ModifyNAMay 6NA
OregonAll speciesDeer - May 2
Elk, Antelope - May 5
Sheep, Mtn Goat -  May 9
May 152019 draw result date: June 19
See 2019 results here
South DakotaElk, sheep, goatNAMay 222018 date: June 4
WashingtonAll speciesUtilize Filtering 2.0 and
Draw Odds for hunt research
May 222019 draw result date: June 13
See 2019 results here
WyomingResident elkJan 8May 312019 draw result date: June 20
See 2019 results here
WyomingDeer, antelopeDeer, Antelope - May 15May 312019 draw result date: June 20
See 2019 results here
MontanaAntelope, Deer B, Elk B,
Antelope B
Antelope - May 9June 12019 archery result date: July 15
See 2019 results here
2019 rifle result date: Aug. 8
See 2019 results here
CaliforniaAll speciesElk, Sheep - May 23
Deer, Antelope - May 24
June 22019 draw result date: June 11
See 2019 results here
IowaWhitetailNAJune 22019 draw result date: June 21
IdahoDeer, elk,
antelope
Deer - May 17
Antelope - May 22
Elk - May 22
June 52019 draw result date: June 25
See 2019 results here
North DakotaDeerNAJune 52019 draw result date: June 25
See 2019 results here
ArizonaDeer, sheep, bisonDeer, Sheep, Bison - May 20May 14 (paper)
June 11 (online)
2019 date: July 5 (Portal Account)
See 2019 results here
KansasKansas Elk, Antelope & Resident Deer
Application Deadline
Utilize Filtering 2.0 and
Draw Odds for hunt research
June 14--
South DakotaDeer Muzzleloader, West River, East River, Black Hills
Custer State Park, NWR Deer
NAJune 14 - paper
June 19 by 8 a.m. CDT online
2019 draw result date: June 27
See 2019 results here
UtahAntlerlessNAJune 20July 11, 2019
NevadaDeer 2nd DrawMid JuneJune 242019 draw result date: July 12
See 2019 results here
WyomingLeftover Deer, Elk,
Antelope
June 20June 24 - June 282019 result date: July 11
See 2019 results here
MontanaNonresident alternate listMay 15June 302019 result date: July 10
See your number on the list here
NevadaSecond draw points***NAJuly 1NA
IdahoGrizzly bearNot approved for 2019Not approved for 2019Not approved for 2019
WyomingGrizzly bearNot approved for 2019Not approved for 2019Not approved for 2019
WyomingLeftover Deer, Elk,
Antelope (first come, first served)
NANAAvailable after July 15, 2019
UtahUtah leftover general deer, elk and youthJune 12NAAvailable on July 16, 2019
NevadaFirst come, first servedNANAAvailable July 22, 2019
ArizonaLeftover mule deer, coues deer, javelinaJuly 8NAAvailable July 22, 2019
See article for more info
North DakotaResident only 2nd deer drawingNAJuly 24--
South Dakota2nd draw for East River,
West River, Refuge Deer
NAPaper: July 26
Online: July 31
--
ArizonaFirst-come-first-served leftover tags availableJuly 8NAAvailable July 29
ColoradoLeftover deer, elk, antelopeJuly 31NAAvailable starting August 6
See article for more info
North DakotaAntelopeNAAugust 72019 result date: August 14
South DakotaAntelope - FirearmNAAugust 9August 15
MontanaSurplus 900-20 antelope, antlerless deer and elkAug. 5Starting August 12NA
Idaho2nd Controlled DrawAug. 2August 152019 result date: August 22
See 2019 results here
ArizonaSpring bison, bear &
javelina
NAOctober 8: Online ONLY2019 date: Oct. 30 (portal account)

* December 1, 2018 was the first day that nonresidents could start to purchase deer and elk tags (except Sawtooth elk tags).
** Note: I've included some states that we currently don't cover on INSIDER for reference.
*** During Nevada's second draw, you can pick up points only for the species with hunts available in the second draw.

 

Bonus/preference point only deadlines

StateSpeciesState deadline
South DakotaDeerDecember 15
UtahAll SpeciesMarch 21
NevadaAll SpeciesApril 29*
May 6*
July 1*
KansasWhitetailApril 26
IowaWhitetailJune 2
MontanaAll SpeciesJuly 1 to Sept. 30
OregonAll SpeciesJuly 1 to Nov. 30
WyomingAntelope, deer, elk,
rocky bighorn, moose
July 1 to Oct. 31

* Nevada technically has three periods when you can purchase points; April 29 when the main draw closes, May 6 when the bonus point application/application withdrawal period closes and July 1 when the Second Draw closes. During Nevada's second draw period and July 1 deadline, you can pick up points only for the species with hunts available in the second draw.

You can also see all of the important western hunting deadlines on our INSIDER Basecamp page. That is sort of like your INSIDER "homepage." You can find a quick link to Basecamp in the upper right-hand corner of the screen if you click on the INSIDER button. We keep that page updated with all the latest dates, deadlines and important INSIDER information.

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Reviewing Our Old 2018 Application Strategy Articles

One of the best ways to always stay up to speed on everything hunting research-based is to gain an understanding of how a state’s draw system works through our Application Strategy Articles that are available from January through June. These articles are strategically released to coincide with upcoming hunt application deadlines across the states that we cover. If you’re unfamiliar with our Application Strategy Articles, you'll quickly realize we do things a little differently. These application strategy articles are focused on helping you to gain an edge on trophy units as well as over-the-counter units and they provide important tables, charts, and graphics to help you understand key information for finding the best unit that meets your individual needs.

Another great tactic this time of year is to review our old Application Strategy articles. This can be especially useful if you're thinking about applying in a new state. All of the links to the old 2018 Application Strategy articles can be found below.

2018 INSIDER Application Strategy articles

Arizona

California

2018 Arizona Elk2018 California Deer and Antelope
2018 Arizona Antelope2018 California Elk and Sheep
2018 Arizona Deer, Sheep, Bison 
 

Colorado

Idaho

2018 Colorado Deer2018 Idaho Sheep, Moose, Goat
2018 Colorado Elk, Antelope2018 Idaho Deer
2018 Colorado Sheep, Moose, Goat2018 Idaho Elk and Antelope
 2018 Idaho Grizzly Bear

Montana

Nevada

2018 Montana Deer2018 Nevada Mule Deer Guided Draw
2018 Montana Elk2018 Nevada Mule Deer
2018 Montana Sheep, Moose, Goat, Bison2018 Nevada Elk
2018 Montana Antelope2018 Nevada Sheep, Mtn Goat, Antelope
 

New Mexico

Oregon

2018 New Mexico Deer2018 Oregon Elk and Antelope
2018 New Mexico Elk2018 Oregon Sheep and Mountain Goat
2018 New Mexico Sheep2018 Oregon Deer
2018 New Mexico Antelope & Exotics 
 

Utah

Wyoming

2018 Utah Sheep, Moose, Goat, Bison2018 Wyoming Elk
2018 Utah Elk and Antelope2018 Wyoming Sheep, Moose, Goat, Bison
2018 Utah Mule Deer2018 Wyoming Deer and Antelope
 2018 Wyoming Grizzly Bear

Application season can be very overwhelming and we try to keep it simple with an easy to follow schedule of article release dates. Some of the Application Strategy articles are released within a small window, but that is done to ensure we are providing the best possible information to our users. Different states release their regulations and herd information at tight windows to the application deadline. So we strive to release these articles with all the information possible. One of the best supplements to our Application Strategy articles is Filtering 2.0 and Draw Odds. Both are always available for you to start your 2019 western hunting research right now. 

Filtering 2.0
 

goHUNT INSIDER filtering tools
Filtering 2.0 tools example. You can learn more about Filtering 2.0 here.

As of April of 2019, we now cover 12 western states on INSIDER (Arizona, CaliforniaColorado, Idaho, KansasMontana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington). The Filtering 2.0 tool is an industry first that provides you with the ability to search for hunt choices that meet your personal hunting criteria. You can filter by state, species, season, weapon type, public land percentage, trophy potential, draw odds, dates of availability, harvest success, number of bucks and bulls taken in each unit, and even male:female ratios. In addition, you can search for over-the-counter only options to extend your season. Filtering 2.0 is revolutionary in helping you to take hundreds of unit choices in a state and quickly narrow it down to only a few. Think of the time and money this can save you each year! 

Draw Odds
 

goHUNT INSIDER Draw Odds view sample
A blurred out sample of the Draw Odds view on INSIDER.

We have been busy the past several months testing our 2019 Draw Odds and we expect them to go live around the beginning of January. We will not only have updated odds available, but you'll also be able to see year-over-year draw odd trends to help track draw trends and points creep.

Best of luck in the 2019 draws! And as always, feel free to reach out to us at any time if you have questions.

goHUNT's INSIDER Research Tools

 

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