Purchase controlled hunt tags by Aug. 1

The big game controlled hunt drawings for deer, elk, antelope and bear tags were completed June 22. Applicants can 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 pleased if they see that they drew in a hunt where hunter success rates are high. They are likely to fill their freezers with nutritious, healthy meat.

There will be some applicants sad about their bad luck in the drawing because not all license numbers can be drawn. For those who did not draw tags, big game general hunt tags for deer and elk are available in most hunting units in North Idaho.

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 IDFG office, any license vendor, by telephone (800-554-8685), or online.

Between Aug. 2 and Aug. 4, IDFG will compile a list of forfeited tags. A small number of controlled hunts have very early start dates, so available tags for those hunts may be sold over the counter on or around Aug. 6. A list of early leftover (or unclaimed) tags will be published on the IDFG website prior to the sale date.

A second drawing will be held to award the forfeited tags for hunts opening later. The application period for this second drawing runs from Aug. 5-15. The drawing will be held around Aug. 20. Any tags left after that drawing 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 limit on the number of hunters they allow on their property. If you want to be on the list...the earlier you ask the better your chances are. 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 with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.