Hunters reminded to purchase controlled hunt tags by Aug. 1

Conversations this time of year among hunters often start with the question: "Did you draw any controlled hunt tags?"

For non-hunters who may be reading this, a controlled hunt is a hunt with a limited number of tags in a specific area for a specific species.

Controlled hunts are desirable because of location and timing. Success rates are usually higher in controlled hunts than in open or "general" seasons.

Controlled hunt tags are allocated by a random drawing from a pool of hunters who have submitted applications for the drawing. Moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts in Idaho are all controlled hunts. There are both general hunts and controlled hunts for most other big game species.

The big game controlled hunt drawings have been completed and hunters have the ability to find out if they were lucky enough to draw a tag by checking the controlled hunt drawing results on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website.

It is the responsibility of controlled hunt applicants to check to see if they were drawn for these limited entry hunting opportunities.

Some hunters will be ecstatic about drawing a coveted tag in a unit where trophy animals are taken every year.

Meat hunters will be thrilled to learn they drew in a hunt where hunter success rates are high for those who want to fill their freezers with nutritious, healthy meat.

Still others will be sad about bad luck in the drawing that seems to follow them every year. Fortunately for them, big game general hunt tags are available in most big game units for those who do not draw.

Big game hunters who were drawn in controlled hunt drawings for deer, elk, antelope and bear hunts have only until Aug. 1 to purchase their tags. Any tags not purchased by that date will be forfeited.

Tags may be purchased at any Fish and Game office, any license vendor, or by telephone at (800) 554-8685, or online.

Between Aug. 2 and Aug. 4, Fish and Game will compile a list of forfeited tags. A second drawing will be held to award the forfeited tags.

The application period for this second drawing runs from Aug. 5 to Aug. 15. The drawing will be conducted around Aug. 20. Any tags left will go on sale over the counter on Aug. 25.

One important item hunters should not overlook in the next few weeks is making contact with private landowners on whose property they hope to hunt. According to a survey of rural Idaho landowners, 88 percent will allow some level of hunting on their property if hunters ask permission first.

In addition, the vast majority of those landowners are more likely to grant access to their land to people who ask well in advance.

Some landowners set a "quota" on the number of hunters they allow on their property. If you want to be on the list, then it's better to ask early. The limit they place on the number of hunters makes for a high-quality hunting experience and now is the time to make sure you are included.

Phil Cooper is a wildlife conservation educator in Coeur d'Alene for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.