Drawing Tags for Hunts. Where

Drawing out West is a different animal and some are a bit of a scam. For instance, we'll take Arizona. AZ has some of the finest elk and mule deer in the U.S.. As a nonresident you can apply to hunt in AZ. But in order to do so you have to buy a nonresident hunting license for $300.

So now you've invested $300 for the opportunity to draw a permit. You do your research and put in for a permit for elk and pay $800 for the permit because they sure don't want to issue a permit and you not pay for it.

So now you've invested $1,100 and a few weeks later you learn that you didn't draw a permit. The State refunds your $800 and you get a "preference point". In AZ it takes about 8-10 preference points to get a AZ Bull elk tag in a quality unit right now.

So you keep applying and buying a license for the next 8-10 years in order to draw the illusive elk tag.

Let's do the math, 8 x $300 = $2,400 spent in licenses in order to simply apply for a tag and you've never stepped foot in the state.

$800 for the tag when you finally do draw..

$2,400 + $800 = $3,200 and you're ready to hunt right? Seems easy enough... Nope, the State of AZ wants to keep money in the local economy and requires that you use a licensed outfitter. So, lets keep up the math..

$3,200(licenses/permit) + $5,000(7 day guided hunt) = $8,200.

Now, we're almost there. You have to pay for a flight, hotel arrangements coming and going, gratuities, and incidentals. So lets put a price tag of $1,000 on that.

$8,200 + 1,000 = $9,200 and now were hunting..

So you do your hunt and you get your bull. Processing, ice pack, and taxidermy... You got it, it all costs more.

Grand total price for a public land AZ bull elk... $11,000+

(I'll save my argument about charging a "nonresident premium" to hunt federally funded land paid for by American taxpayers for another time)

The point I'm trying to make is that it adds up quickly and it will be a few years. It's simply a lot easier just to buy a landowners tag and go hunt when you have the time and money. Private land hunts offer better success than public any day of the week. The draw permits in most States are not worth the expense.

Not all western states scam you. Go to various state game and fish websites and do some homework.

I hunt out west most years - have hunted New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Oregon, Idaho and others.

Sure - you usually have to "front" license money, and in some states you'll leave a little change in the kitty if unsuccessful.

Thing is, research where you'd like to hunt first (what state), then narrow it down to a "hunt area" within the state - Good opportunity for trophy animal = higher risk of not being drawn, usually. Depends on what you want to do and risk you're willing to take. Look into it asap, though - some require "entry" as early as January of the hunt year..

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Not all western states scam you. Go to various state game and fish websites and do some homework

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True, AZ is probably the worst offender. But it seems as time goes on other states are adopting the AZ philosophy.