Hunters Reminded to Purchase Controlled Hunt Tags by August 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 Fish and Game web site. 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 northern Idaho. Big game hunters who were drawn in controlled hunt drawings for deer, elk, antelope and bear hunts have only until August 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, by telephone (800-554-8685), or online. Between August 2 and August 4, Fish and Game 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 August 6. A list of early leftover (or unclaimed) tags will be 1 on the Fish and Game 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 August 5 to 15. The drawing will be held around August 20. Any tags left after that drawing will go on sale over the counter on August 25 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time. 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 listÉthe 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.