Account2020 Western Big Game Hunting Application Deadlines
Every year while working on this article it seems hard to believe that the next year's application season is about to start. Exciting times are ahead as we all start to plan out our 2020 hunting season!
2020 dates and deadlines
In the table below you will find the tentative 2020 state application deadlines and tentative draw result dates. These dates will be modified as each state releases more information. Currently, they are based on previous years' deadlines/results by looking at what day of the week they are typically released or even the exact calendar date they tend to follow. And sometimes, unfortunately, there is no pattern, so I'm left to really analyze prior-year deadlines.
Note on draw result dates
Waiting on draw results can seem to take forever! And I'm just like everyone else that waits for results all year and then is constantly pressing the refresh button. Currently, the draw result dates are each based somewhat on when the 2019 and earlier year results were released. Keep in mind: each year we get questions on why our draw result dates don't exactly match up with what you might find in the regulations. And stay with me here... but for the most part, our draw results dates listed are actually more accurate based on the trends of how some states release their draw odds early every year. Most states go on a typical trend in releasing draw results and a lot of times they release them well before their listed date in the regulations. For example, Nevada and New Mexico list their draw result date in their regulations, but they always release them earlier than that.
Also, tentative application deadlines are used until each state release their 2020 regulations.
2020 State Application Deadlines, Draw Result Dates and Application Strategy Articles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Application Deadline (bold are final dates) | State | Species | Strategy Article Release Date | 2019 Draw Result Date (actual date of release) | Potential 2020 Draw Result Date |
| NA | Idaho | Deer & Elk over-the-counter* | November 29 | NA | NA |
| December 15 (Approved) | South Dakota | Preference Points | NA | NA | NA |
| December 16 (Approved) | Alaska | Moose, Caribou, Dall Sheep, Mountain Goat, Brown/Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Bison, Muskox, Roosevelt Elk | November 27 | 2019 draw results: Feb. 15 | 2020 draw result release date: Feb. 21 See 2020 results here |
| January 31 (Approved) | Wyoming | Nonresident Elk | January 10 | 2019 draw results: Feb. 21 @ 10:00am MST | 2020 draw result release date: May 21 See 2020 results here |
| February 10 (Approved) | Oregon | Black Bear | NA | 2019 draw results: Feb. 21 | 2020 draw result release date: Feb. 20 See 2020 results here |
| February 11 (Approved) | Arizona | Elk, Antelope | Elk - January 24 Antelope - January 27 | 2019 CC hit: March 1 2019 date: March 8 (Portal Account results) | 2020 CC hit: Feb. 28 2020 draw result release date: March 5 See 2020 results here |
| February 12 (Approved) | New Mexico | Black Bear | NA | -- | 2020 draw result release date: Feb. 19 See 2020 results here |
| February 15 (Approved) | Idaho | Black Bear (spring controlled) | NA | -- | 2020 draw result release date: Feb. 21 See 2020 results here |
| February 24 (Approved) | Utah | Black Bear | NA | 2019 draw results: March 6 | 2020 draw result release date: March 4 See 2020 results here |
| February 27 (Approved) | Arizona | CC Update Deadline (Elk, Antelope) | NA | -- | -- |
| February 28 (Approved) | Washington | Black Bear | NA | 2019 draw results: March 13 | 2020 draw result date: March 11 See 2020 results here |
| March 2 (Approved) | Wyoming | Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat | Feb. 13 | 2019 draw results: May 9 @ 9 a.m. PST | 2020 draw result date: May 5 See 2020 results here |
| March 5 (Approved) | Utah | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk, Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat (All Species) | Elk & Antelope - Feb. 20 Deer - Feb. 24 Sheep, Moose, Goat - Feb. 25 | 2019 CC hit date: May 10 2019 result date: May 13 - Emails sent | 2020 CC hit date: May 12 2020 result date: May 15 - emails sent |
| March 9 (Approved) | Nevada | Mule Deer Guided Draw | Jan. 31 | 2019 draw results: March 28 (results were emailed) | Results were emailed |
| March 18 (Approved) | New Mexico | Guided Draw (All Species) | Feb. 15 | 2019 draw results: April 17 | 2020 draw result date: April 22 See 2020 results here |
| March 18 (Approved) | New Mexico | Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, antelope & oryx | Deer/Elk - Mar. 11 Sheep/Antelope - Mar. 3 Exotics - Mar. 9 | 2019 draw results: April 17 | 2020 draw result date: April 22 See 2020 results here |
| March 19 (Approved) | Utah | Bonus Point OR Application Withdraw | Mar. 16 | NA | NA |
| NA | Arizona | Leftover Elk/Antelope Permits | Mar. 11 | Available: March 18 | Available: March 23 (Approved) |
| March 25 (Approved) | North Dakota | Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Moose | NA | 2019 draw results (elk & moose): April 18 | 2020 elk & moose results: April 9 See 2020 results here |
| March 31 (Approved) | Wyoming | Bison | Feb. 13 | NA | 2020 draw result date: May 5 See 2020 results here |
| April 1 (Approved) | Montana | Deer, Elk | Elk - Feb. 19 Deer - Feb. 27 | 2019 draw results: April 22 | 2020 draw result date: April 14 See 2020 results here |
| April 1 (Approved) | South Dakota | Deer Season - Archery (nonresident) | NA | 2019 draw results: April 17 | Tentative 2020: April 15 |
| April 7 (Approved) | Colorado | Mule deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat | Deer - Mar. 12 Elk, Antelope - Mar. 6 Sheep, Moose, Goat - Mar. 16 | Sheep & Goat 2019 draw results: May 3 Deer, Elk, Moose, Antelope: 2019 draw results: June 5 | 2020 sheep & goat draw results: May 1 2020 moose draw results: June 1 2020 deer draw results: June 3 2020 elk & antelope draw results: June 4 See 2020 results here |
| April 15 (Approved) | Wyoming | Modify/withdraw: Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bison | NA | NA | NA |
| April 17 (Approved) | South Dakota | Special Buck | NA | -- | -- |
| April 24 (Approved) | Kansas | Nonresident Deer | April 6 | 2019 draw results: May 27 | 2020 draw result date: May 21 See 2020 results here |
| April 30 (Approved) | Idaho | Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat | March 25 | 2019 draw results: May 17 | 2020 draw result date: May 15 See 2020 results here |
| May 1 (Approved) | Montana | Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bison | March 30 | 2019 draw results: June 17 | 2020 draw result date: May 11 See 2020 results here |
| May 4 (Approved) | Nevada | Mule Deer, Elk, Antelope, Rocky Bighorn Sheep, Desert Bighorn Sheep, California Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Black Bear | Deer - April 16 Elk & Antelope - 21 Sheep, Goat - April 7 | 2019 draw results: May 24 | 2020 draw result date: Started releasing at 11:45 pm on May 19 See 2020 results here |
| May 8 (Approved) | Wyoming | Nonresident Elk Modify/Withdraw | NA | NA | NA |
| May 11 (Approved) | Nevada | Bonus Point Application and Application Withdrawl Period | NA | NA | NA |
| May 15 (Approved) | Oregon | Deer, Elk, Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat | Deer - April 27 Elk, Antelope - April 23 Sheep, Mtn Goat - April 29 | 2019 draw results: June 19 | 2020 draw result date: June 20 See 2020 results here |
| May 20 - online (Approved) | South Dakota | Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat | NA | 2019 draw results: Early June | Tentative 2020: Early June |
| May 21 (Approved) | Washington | Deer, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose | Deer, Elk - May 7 Sheep, Moose, Goat - May 11 | 2019 draw results: June 13 | 2020 draw result date: June 10 See 2020 results here |
| June 1 (Approved) | Wyoming | Resident Elk | January 10 | 2019 draw results: June 20 | 2020 draw result date: June 18 See 2020 results here |
| June 1 (Approved) | Wyoming | Deer, Antelope | Deer, Antelope - May 5 | 2019 draw results: June 20 | 2020 draw result date: June 18 See 2020 results here |
| June 1 (Approved) | Montana | Antelope, Deer B, Elk B, Antelope B | Antelope - April 28 | 2019 archery results: July 15 2019 rifle results: Aug. 8 | 2020 draw result for 900-20 antelope, deer B, elk B: June 11 Rifle antelope and antelope B results: Aug. 6 See if you drew here |
| June 2 (Approved) | California | Deer, Elk, Antelope, Bighorn Sheep | Elk, Sheep - May 15 Deer, Antelope - May 21 | 2019 draw results: June 11 | 2020 draw results date: June 11 See 2020 results here |
| June 3 (Approved) | North Dakota | Deer | NA | 2019 draw results: June 25 | 2020 Tentative: June 23 |
| June 5 (Approved) | Idaho | Deer, Elk, Antelope, Fall Bear (controlled) | Elk, Deer, Antelope - April 22 | 2019 draw results: June 25 | 2020 draw result date: June 19 See if you drew here |
| June 7 (Approved) | Iowa | Whitetail | NA | 2019 draw results: June 21 | 2020 draw result date: June 26 See if you drew here |
| June 9 (Approved) | Arizona | Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Bison | Deer, Sheep, Bison - May 13 | 2019 draw results: July 5 (Portal) | 2020 draw results: July 2 (Portal) See if you drew here |
| June 12 (Approved) | Kansas | Kansas Elk, Antelope & Resident Deer | NA | -- | -- |
| June 12 (Approved) | South Dakota | Deer Muzzleloader, West River, East River, Black Hills Custer State Park, NWR Deer | NA | 2019 draw results: June 27 | 2020 draw results: June 25 See if you drew here |
| June 15 (Approved) | Nevada | Big Game Second Draw | May 21 | 2019 draw results: July 12 | 2020 draw results: July 7 - emailed |
| June 17 (Approved) | South Dakota | 2nd draw for Black Hills, Archery and Prarie Elk | NA | -- | -- |
| June 18 (Approved) | Utah | Antlerless Elk and Deer | June 11 | 2019 draw results: July 11, 2019 | 2020 draw results: June 30 - emailed |
| June 22 (Approved) | Nevada | Second Draw Points** | NA | NA | NA |
| June 24 & 25 (Approved) | New Mexico | New Mexico leftover tags | June 9 | NA | NA |
| June 22 to 26 (Approved) | Wyoming | Leftover Deer, Elk, Antelope | June 18 | 2019 draw results: July 11 | 2020 draw results: July 9 See if you drew here |
| July 7 (Approved) | Colorado | Second Draw | Feb. 20 - announcement June 5 - tag list | NA | 2020 draw results: July 17 See if you drew here |
| July 7 (Approved) | Montana | Montana nonresident alternate list | May 22 | NA | 2020 list results: July 17 See your number here |
| Available July 13 (Approved) | Wyoming | Resident OTC Deer, Elk Licenses Available | NA | NA | NA |
| Available July 13 (Approved) | Wyoming | Leftover Deer, Elk, Antelope (First Come, First Served) | NA | NA | NA |
| Available July 16 (Approved) | Utah | Utah Remaining Limited Entry, Leftover General Elk | July 8 | NA | NA |
| Available July 21 (Approved) | Utah | Utah Remaining General Season Deer and Youth | July 8 | NA | NA |
| Available July 20 (Approved) | Arizona | Leftover Mule Deer, Coues Deer, Javelina | July 8 | NA | NA |
| Available July 24 (Approved) | Nevada | First Come, First Served Available | NA | NA | NA |
| Paper: July 17 Online: July 22 (Approved) | South Dakota | 2nd draw for East River, West River and Refuge Deer | NA | -- | -- |
| July 24 (Tentative) | North Dakota | Resident Only 2nd Deer Drawing | NA | -- | -- |
| July 27 (Approved) | Arizona | First-come-first-served leftover tags available | NA | Available July 29 | NA |
| Available August 4 (Approved) | Colorado | Leftover Deer, Elk, Antelope | Aug. 3 | Available starting August 4 | NA |
| August 5 (Approved) | North Dakota | Antelope | NA | 2019 draw results: August 14 | Tentative 2020: August 12 |
| August 7 (Approved) | Montana | Deer, Elk Permits, Deer B, Elk B Surplus List Signup | July 17 | -- | -- |
| August 15 (Approved) | Idaho | 2nd Controlled Draw | Early Aug. | 2019 draw results: August 22 | 2020 draw results: August 20 See if you drew here |
| August 24 (Approved) | Montana | Antelope, Antelope B, Special Mtn. Lion Surplus List Signup | July 17 | -- | -- |
| October 13 (Approved) | Arizona | Spring Bison, Black Bear & Javelina | NA | 2019 draw results: Oct. 30 | 2020 draw results: |
* December 1, 2019 was the first day that nonresidents could start to purchase deer and elk tags (except Sawtooth elk tags). See more info here.
** During Nevada's second draw, you can pick up points only for the species with hunts available in the second draw.
Note: I've included some states that we currently don't cover on INSIDER for reference.
Bonus/Preference Point Only Deadlines(These are states that have a separate point only period available after the main draw) | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Species | State deadline |
| South Dakota | Deer | December 15 |
| Utah | All Species | January 30 to March 19 |
| Nevada | All Species | May 11 |
| Kansas | Whitetail | Nonresident - April 24 Resident - June 12 |
| Iowa | Whitetail | June 7 |
| Montana | All Species | July 1 to Sept. 30 |
| Oregon | All Species | July 1 to Nov. 30 |
| Wyoming | Antelope, Deer, Elk, Rocky Bighorn Sheep, Moose | July 1 to Nov. 2 (extended date for 2020) |
Other items worth noting
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.
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 2020 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.
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.
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.
Best of luck in the 2020 draws! And as always, feel free to reach out to us at any time if you have questions.
December 24, 2019
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