In 2015, Dawn Paynter won a Super Hunt elk tag. This tag meant she was able to hunt elk in any open hunt in the state.
“When I got the phone call, I couldn’t speak, and I had tears in my eyes,” Paynter said. “I knew I had endless opportunities to fill my tag and never doubted that I would harvest a large bull.”
Paynter had a goal. She wanted something 380 or bigger if she was going to harvest during the first month of hunting. If December came around, she wanted an elk over 360. She filled her Super Hunt elk tag in December.
Twenty-six hunters have already drawn Super Hunt tags in the first 2017 Super Hunt drawing held in June. The second drawing will make eight more hunters Super Hunt winners. The deadline to enter is August 10.
The 2nd Super Hunt drawing includes:
- 2 elk tags
- 2 deer tags
- 2 pronghorn tags
- 1 moose tag
- 1 Super Hunt Combo with tags for all 4 species
Super Hunt entries are $6 each and Super Hunt Combo entries are $20 each. No license is needed to enter either drawing, and there is no limit on the number of times a person can apply.
Winners can participate in any open hunt in the state for deer, elk, pronghorn or moose with a tag for that species, including general hunts and controlled hunts. Super Hunt tags are in addition to other tags, meaning if you draw a controlled hunt tag or purchase a general season tag, you can still participate in these hunts as well as the Super Hunt.
Money raised by the Super Hunt drawings supports hunters and anglers access to private lands through the Access Yes! program. This program is designed to improve access to or across private land to public land by compensating willing landowners.
For more information, including frequently asked questions and photos of previous winners, visit the Super Hunt page on Fish and Game's website.