Tips when applying for your first out-of-state western hunt


Glassing the day away. Photo credit: Dave Barnett

We hear the saying every year: “I wish I would’ve started hunting out West sooner.” It’s a very common sentiment among hunters and is definitely an understandable one. What keeps so many hunters from applying out West — or if you already live out West — for other states? Financials definitely play a part in it; however, I really think that a large portion of that blame lies in the simple fact that it’s just flat out intimidating.

The logistics of planning a western hunt can be daunting, the regulations vary a ton from state to state and trying to wade into the pool of understanding can leave you more confused than when you started. In the following article, we are going to look at what it takes to apply in each of the western states and what to expect when it is time to click “submit.”

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Hunting application deadlines

The first thing you will want to familiarize yourself with when applying to western states will be the various draw application deadlines. A draw deadline is essentially the last day you can apply for that given draw; after the deadline has passed, no applications will be accepted. It will be important to keep key deadlines top-of-mind throughout the year and as you strategize your plans. Draw deadlines pop-up through the entirety of the calendar year and missing one is the absolute worst.

Every year, we release a very handy article that details out all of the application periods, deadlines and much more. Check it out at the link below.

2023 Western Hunting Application Deadlines

Creating your account with each state

The first step in preparing to apply for your first western state will be to create an online account for the respective state. The online account will be the vessel to submit your applications, but will also provide a place to check draw results, see currently held tags and more.

Western states profile login/creation links

StateLink

Alaska

AKFG account login

Arizona

AZGFD account login

California

CDFW account login

Colorado

CPW account login

Idaho

IDFG account login

Kansas

KDWP account login

Montana

MyFWP account login

Nevada

NDOW account login

New Mexico

NMDGF account login

North Dakota

NDGF account login

Oregon

ODFW account login

South Dakota

SDGFP account login

Utah

UDWR account login

Washington

WDFW account login

Wyoming

WGFD account login

Prerequisites when applying in a state

After getting a good grasp on the deadlines for each of the various states and setting up an account, the next step is to ensure you have everything you’ll need to submit your application. Some states require you to purchase a non refundable hunting license each year that you apply; others do not. These nonrefundable fees can add up each year, so hunters may need to plan ahead financially for these draws.

Western states big game application prerequisites

StateNonresident prerequisites
needed
Notes

Alaska

Big game hunting license: $160

If applying for emperor goose only,
you only need a small game license

Arizona

Combo hunting and fishing license: $160

365-day license from the time of purchase

California

Annual hunting license: $188.74

 

Colorado

Annual habitat stamp: $10.59
and small game hunting license: $86.50

 

Idaho

Hunting license: $185

 

Kansas

Hunting license: $97.50

 

Montana

Conservation license: $10
and base hunting license: $15

 

Nevada

Hunting license: $155

Hunting license not required, but applicants will not gain a bonus point in the draw if they opt to not purchase a hunting license

New Mexico

Game-hunting license: $65

 

North Dakota

General game and
habitat license: $20

Refundable if not successful in the draw

Oregon

Hunting license: $172

 

South Dakota

Habitat stamp: $25

 

Utah

Basic hunting license: $72 or
Combination license: $98

 

Washington

Hunting license and 
transport tag
(more info below)

Hunting licenses vary in cost from species to species.
From $222 to $956.80

Wyoming

n/a

Wyoming does not require any prerequisite licenses, but fees do come into play during the application period. More info below.

Application fees

Along with prerequisite licenses, applicants may also be subject to specific application fees in each state and for each application. The following table will break these down.

Western states big game application fees

StateNonresident application
fees
Notes

Alaska

$5 per species or 
$10 for bison and muskox

 

Arizona

$15 per species

 

California

$8.13 per species
(elk, antelope and bighorn sheep)

Deer tag license fees must be paid upfront when applying and cost $317

Colorado

$9.17 per species

 

Idaho

$18 per species
(deer, elk, bear, and turkey)
or
$45.75 per species
(moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat)

 

Kansas

$152.50
(mule deer stamp application fee)

Application fee price is included in the total cost of the whitetail deer permit, which is due in full at time of application

Montana

$5 per species
(deer and antelope)
or
$9 (elk)
or
$50 per species
(moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat)

Fees for limited entry permits only, fees for nonresident combination licenses are due in full at time of applications

Nevada

$10 per species
(deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goat)
or 
$10 (elk)
and
$3  predator control fee

 

New Mexico

$13 per species

Application fee price included in
the total cost of the species license cost

North Dakota

$5 (deer)
or
$100 (bighorn sheep)

Application fee price included in the
total cost of the species license cost

Oregon

$8 per species

 

South Dakota

No separate fee; included in the
cost of the species license

 

Utah

$15 per species

 

Washington

$110.50 for each category

 

Wyoming

$15 per species/draw

 

Up-front fees

After gaining an understanding on what items you may need before applying and what application fees you’ll need to pay, it is important to then discuss the actual cost of applying. At times, states will only require the prerequisites to apply; however, there are several states where you have to pay for the entire cost of the license while applying and are only refunded if and when you are unsuccessful in the drawing. Sometimes you’ll have to float the cost for these licenses/applications for a few weeks; other times for several months. In the following table, we will break down the states that require all tag fees to be paid up front.

Western states that require the applicant to pay
license fees up-front when applying

StateNonresident up-front tag costsNotes

California

$317: Deer license full price due at application

Refund available less prerequisite licenses and application fees if unsuccessful

Idaho

$2,143.50: Moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat license
and application fee due at application

Refund available less prerequisite licenses and application fees if unsuccessful

Kansas

$442.50: Nonresident whitetail deer permit

Refund available less prerequisite licenses and application fees if unsuccessful

Montana

$1,108: Big game combo
or
$934: Elk combo
or
$646: Deer combo

Refund available less prerequisite licenses if unsuccessful

New Mexico

 

Find a full breakdown of state
license fees on our New Mexico state profile

North Dakota

$255: Deer
or
$600: Bighorn sheep

Refund available less application
fees if unsuccessful

South Dakota

$286: Deer and antelope per species
or
$560: Deer Special Buck West River

 

Washington

Full license cost of each species applied for

Find a full breakdown of state license fees
on our Washington state profile

Wyoming

Full license cost of each
species/draw type applied for

Find a full breakdown of state license fees
on our Wyoming state profile

Hunter Education requirements

The last thing to check before applying for your first western hunt will be the various hunter education requirements. In general, most states will require that you have completed hunter education prior to applying or purchasing a tag, but there are some options out there. In the below table, we will explore the various requirements for each of the western states. 

Western states hunter education requirements

StateHunters education requirementsNotes

Alaska

If born after January 1, 1986, and you are 18 years old or older, you must
have successfully completed a hunter education course before you hunt in Units 7, 13, 14, 15, or 20

If under 18 years of age you must either complete a hunter education course or hunt under the direct immediate supervision of a licensed hunter who is 18 years or over and has completed hunter education course or who was born after January 1, 1986

Arizona

Hunter education is not required for anyone 14 years of age
or older in order to hunt in Arizona

If under 14, hunter education is required

California

To purchase a California hunting license, you must have
proof of hunter education on your CDFW customer profile

 

Colorado

Colorado law requires that anyone born on or after January 1, 1949,
complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or buying a Colorado hunting license

Apprentice hunter certificate is a free one-year hunter education requirement waiver that can be obtained twice in a lifetime and is valid from March 1 to March 31 of the following year, regardless of when the apprentice hunter certificate is obtained. More info here.

Idaho

Idaho hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must either complete a hunter education course to purchase a hunting license or show proof of a previously held license in Idaho or another state

 

Kansas

Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must be certified by an approved course in hunter education before they can hunt in Kansas, except that anyone 15 years old or younger may hunt without hunter education certification provided they are under the direct supervision of an adult 18 years old or older

 

Montana

All hunters who were born after January 1, 1985, must complete hunter education certification in order to hunt in Montana

 

Nevada

Anyone born after January 1, 1960, is required to provide
proof of hunter education in order to purchase a Nevada hunting license

 

New Mexico

It is also unlawful for anyone under 18 to apply for or buy any type of firearms hunting license before passing a hunter education course

 

North Dakota

By law, persons born after 1961 must take a certified hunter education course prior to obtaining a firearm or bow hunting license

 

Oregon

In Oregon, a hunter education course is required for all new hunters age 17 and younger unless hunting on land owned by a parent or legal guardian

 

South Dakota

All hunters who are younger than 16 years of age must complete hunter education certification in order to hunt in South Dakota

 

Utah

Completion of a basic hunter education course is required to obtain a hunting license in Utah if you were born after Dec. 31, 1965

 

Washington

Hunters who were born after Jan. 1, 1972, must show proof of completing a hunter education program before buying their first Washington hunting license

The hunter education deferral program allows a one-year, once-in-a-lifetime deferral of hunter education training for individuals new to hunting who are accompanied by an experienced hunter. More info here.

Wyoming

According to Wyoming law, all hunters born after January 1, 1966, must
complete hunter education certification in order to hunt in Wyoming

Wyoming does allow a person who has not yet received hunter safety certification to apply for a special authorization to hunt when accompanied by a qualified mentor. More info here.

Conclusion

Applying out West — or out-of-state — for the first time can be a daunting endeavor. I’m hopeful that the information provided in this article will help those of you who are looking to take this on in 2023. Throughout the year, I will be focusing on a lot of content centered around getting into western hunting and all of the various challenges, hurdles and unexpected events that can come with it. I have a massive list of articles to come, but would love to hear ideas and requests from you! Getting people into western hunting is a topic I am always interested in and thinking about. I’m very excited for what is to come with this series!

Insider research tools

Throughout GOHUNT Insider, we have research tools that will enable you to quickly and easily find the perfect hunt. Whether you’re looking for your first Western hunt or you want to see the best way to use your points, Insider is your ticket to unlocking the West.

Each research tool on GOHUNT will allow you to find the perfect hunt. When you combine Draw Odds with Filtering 2.0 and GOHUNT's 3D maps... it is everything you need to gain an edge and become more successful.

Draw Odds Filtering 2.0 GOHUNT Maps - 3D Web Point Tracker Hunt Planner

State Profile links

If you're looking for more information about each individual state, be sure to dive into our State and Species Profiles located in your Insider account.

Alaska Arizona California Colorado Idaho Kansas Montana Nevada New Mexico Oregon Utah Washington Wyoming

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