Resident Demand for Special Draw Licenses Up This Year

The resident special-draw license demand for elk, deer and antelope was up this year, reports the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. Antelope demand was up 508 applications, to 23,921; deer was up 596 applications to 12,637, and; elk was up 886 applications, to 31,028.

Traditionally the toughest resident elk license to draw, area 31 type 1- south of Rock Springs- got even a little tougher this year with chances of obtaining a permit at 3.4 percent. This year's most difficult antelope license to draw was area 97 west of Riverton with only 9.2 percent of applicants being licensed. For the second year, the late season license near Baggs, area 82 type 1 (4.2 percent), was Wyoming's most uphill deer drawing.

Nonresident antelope demand rose again this year with a 2-percent jump to 22,277 applications. After a 3-percent decline in nonresident deer applications last year, demand rose nearly 5 percent to 34,957 applicants in 1999.

The G&F reports that hunters will soon know their 1999 elk, deer, and antelope hunting fate, as license drawings were conducted June 22-23, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule even though license demand had increased. License mailing began June 24, and the department expects all licenses and refunds to be mailed by July 2.

Of the nearly 70,000 resident elk, deer, and antelope applications processed this application period, nearly 50,000 (70%) were received the last week of May.

G&F license personnel called over 2,000 applicants to correct application mistakes. Over 700 faxes were handled by the G&F in the correction process.

"To the extent practical, we contact applicants who submit invalid applications," said Tom Rowe, license draw manager for the department. "We try to find out the information needed to make the application valid so the hunter has an opportunity to be successful in the drawing."

Eighty-nine types of elk licenses are leftover in 68 areas. The majority of the licenses are for antlerless elk, although eight areas are offering "any elk" tags and 12 areas with archery-only antlered tags.

Nine hunt areas and three nonresident regions (B, F and J) have left-over deer licenses. "Any antelope" licenses are available in 17 hunt areas.

Mr. Rowe alerts hunters that leftover licenses for both residents and nonresidents - except doe/fawn deer and antelope, and cow/calf elk - will be issued in a second drawing.

The application period for the second drawing is July 10-20 and the drawing is scheduled for July 31. Applications are being sent with refunds and are available at license agents and G&F offices.

Any licenses remaining after the second drawing will be sold "as processed" through the G&F's Cheyenne office.

Doe/fawn deer and antelope licenses were initially issued by drawing for the second year. Mr. Rowe reports that like 1998 there was little demand in the drawing for these licenses. "I think most hunters want to know if they have buck licenses before they commit to a doe/fawn tag," Rowe said.

He adds that some hunters may still not be aware of the doe/fawn drawings.

Leftover doe/fawn antelope and deer, and cow/calf elk licenses will be sold first-come, first-served, at license agents in or near the respective hunt areas beginning Aug. 15.

For more information about 1999 big game licenses call the G&F at (800) 842-1934 or (307) 777-4600 outside Wyoming.