Supertag Lottery Raises Money for Public Access Program

Sportsmen and women can buy a chance for a special big game tag and support Idaho Fish and Game's public access program at the same time. It works like a lottery. An individual buys one or more chances for a supertag.' These are entered in drawings, which will take place June 15 and August 16. In the end, 32 lucky hunters will have won a big game tag for a deer, elk, antelope or moose, which can be used in any open or controlled hunt for that species in Idaho during 2004. In addition to the supertag,' Idaho Fish and Game is offering the "super slam pak." This is for the individual who wants to apply for a chance to hunt all four species - deer, elk, antelope AND moose. A person can buy one or more "super slam pak'"applications, which are entered into the same drawings as the "supertags." There will only be two "super slam tag" winners for 2004, one in each drawing. This is the first year for the "supertag" lottery. 12 deer, 12 elk, 12 antelope and four moose tags are being offered and are valid for the 2004 hunting season. Hunters can apply at any license vendor, by phone, mail or online, from April 1 to May 31 (drawing June 15) and from June 1 to July 30 (drawing August 16). In 2003, the first year of Access Yes!, hunters gained access to 107,000 acres of private land and access through private land to an additional 240,000 acres of public land. Fish and Game spent $117,000 on the program in 2003. Ultimately, the goal is to provide access to more than a million acres of private land along with access through private land to thousands more acres of public land. About $1.2 million is needed to meet this goal. Part of the funding will come from selling chances to win "supertags." New Access Yes! properties for 2004 are being evaluated and will be listed online at .