Oregon Tag Draw Percentages 2020

cow bison with calf

Bison cow and calf on public land

This is another reminder so you don't miss the application deadlines to hunt your favorite big game animal in your favorite western state again in 2021.

Different states have different species of big gameand I listed the most common North American ungulates (Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose and Bison) and a few unique or exotic species that can be hunted in Table 1.

Table 1 lists the big game species that can be hunted in each Western state, the application deadlines for limited entry drawings and the date the results should be published.

There are still seven western states (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) that have general elk hunts with over-the-counter tags (read more here) Five of these states also still have OTC or General Tags for non-residents as well.

Table 1. 2021 Western Big Game Application Deadlines

State	Species	Application Deadline	Results
Arizona	Elk, Pronghorn	Feb 9, 2021 (2nd Tue in Feb)	Mid Feb
	Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Fall Bison	June 9, 2021 (2nd Tue in June)	Mid Jun
	Spring Bison, Javelina (Spring 2022)	Oct 13, 2021 (2nd Tue in Oct)	Mid Oct
California	Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep	June 2nd each year	June 17
Colorado	Elk, Deer, Moose, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat	Apr 6, 2021 (1st Tues. in April)	June 1
Idaho	Elk, Deer, Pronghorn	Jun 5, 2021	Aug 25
Idaho	Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat	April 30, 2021	July 10
Montana	Elk, Deer	April 1, 2021	Apr. 15
	Antelope, Elk B Deer B	Jun 1, 2021	June 15
	Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat	May 1, 2021	May 15
	Bison	May 1, 2021	May 15
Nevada	Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat	Mid April, not set yet	June 10
New Mexico	Elk, Deer, antelope, Bighorn sheep, Barbary Sheep, Ibex, Oryx, Javelina	Mar 17, 2021	Apr. 25
Oregon	Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat	May 15, 2021 (same date)	June 20
Utah	Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Moose, Mountain Goat	Mar 4, 2021	May 31
Utah	Antlerless Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn	Jun 18, last year, not set yet	July 11
Washington	Deer, Elk, Mountain Goat, Moose, Bighorn Sheep	May 21, 2021	June?
Wyoming	Resident & Non-resident Elk	Feb. 1, 2021- left over draw July	May 20
	Resident & Non-resident Deer, Antelope	June 1, 2021- left over draw July	June 17
	Resident & Non-res. Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat	Apr 15, 2021	May 6
	Resident & Non-res. Bison	Apr 15, 2021	May 6

Several states still has not published their 2020 hunt regulations and have not set deadlines for their hunts.

You may not know this until you go to their websites and they are ready to take your application (or not). Remember, these are state bureaucracies, not private businesses. If you want to hunt in their state, it's up to you to learn the rules, jump though all their hoops and find the information you need.

Some states stipulate a particular time of day applications must be received on the deadline date, so make sure you don't miss that deadline in case it ends before midnight.

When Table 1 was first posted, not all states had published their application dead lines. The table will be updated as application dates are finalized. The table shows some 2018dates until the 2018 dates are available. The deadline and results dates usually don't differ by a few days each year.

Do not worry if you can not find information about the application deadline for the state you want to hunt this year. None of the states will be accepting applications until the deadlines dates are published (includes big game brochures).

Both residents and non-residents can apply for licenses (AKA tags or permits) to hunt elk, mule deer, pronghorn or other big game. Since some tags are limited, they are awarded through a lottery system. In some states these are call these Limited Entry tags or licenses and other states call them Controlled tags or licenses.

Which Species of Deer to Hunt?

Nevada and Utah only have one species of deer (mule deer), all other western states have at least two species of deer (mule deer and black-tailed or white-tailed deer). In addition to the Rocky Mountain Mule Deer and White=tailed deer, California also has other subspecies of mule deer such as California Mule Deer, Inyo Mule Deer, Burro Mule Deer and Southern Mule Deer). Arizona has the Coues, which is another subspecies of White-tailed Deer. In some states that have plenty of deer, you may be able to hunt any deer species and other cases, you will be limited to only one species.

Which States to Hunt Elk?

Elk can be hunted in any of the Western states if you draw a Limited Entry tag. But elk populations are still high enough in seven western states that tags can be purchased over the counter. Five states still allow non-residents to hunt elk without winning the lottery (learn more).

Hunt Unique Game Species in Arizona and New Mexico

Arizona and New Mexico offer opportunities to hunt unique species like Barbary Sheep, Ibex, Oryx, and Javalina.

Hunt Bison in Four States

Believe it or not, there is a small chance you can draw a tag to hunt Bison in Arizona, Montana, Wyoming or Utah.

Arizona has both Spring and Fall hunts, which have different application deadlines. Bison are found in two wildlife areas (WA) managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The Raymond WA is east of Flagstaff and the House Rock WA is east of the North Kaibab area. In 2016, the fall hunt awarded 16 out of 2,282 total applicants (1:143).

In Montana, bison hunts are in units 385 and 395 where bison move outside of Yellowstone National Park. Montana apparently does not show drawing odds for bison.

Utah has three hunting areas for Bison; Antelope Island State Park, the Henry Mountains and the Book Cliffs. As an interesting note, genetic testing showed the only genetically pure bison found in North America was found on the Henry mountain herd. Genetically pure; meaning no bovine (cow) genes. In 2016, 103 resident permits were issued from 9469 applicants (1:92) and 9 non-resident permits were issued from 4879 applicants (1:542) .

In Wyoming, Bison are primarily using Grand Teton National Park and move onto the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the National Elk Refuge and private property near Jackson. In 2015, 8 out 692 (1:87) non-residents were successful in drawing a Bull Bison tag and 53 of 192 (1:28) non-residents were successful in drawing a cow Bison tag.

A Note about the Bonus Point or Preference Point Process

All states except Idaho and New Mexico use preference or bonus point systems for the drawings. Each state's draw system is slightly different, but it basically means every year you do not draw a tag, you get a bonus point. People with the most bonus points have the best chance to draw a tag, but beginners without any points still have a small chance to draw a tag. Read the regulations carefully, because each state is different.

Since Idaho and New Mexico do not use a bonus point system, everyone has the same (low) chance every year to draw a tag. Idaho has been considering a bonus point system, but have not yet adopted the new system. If they do change to a bonus point system, it will be good for those that get into the system early.

Note: State hunting regulations are complicated. The information is hard to find and state websites are confusing, sometimes misleading and they constantly change the links on their websites. I take the time to look this data up simply to help non-resident hunters to understand when to apply for tags and when OTC tags can be purchased. I do my best to make sure all information is correct, but make sure you check with the state you want to hunt so you won't miss the deadline to apply for limited entry tags or to buy OTC tags. If anyone has updated information, please let me know.