Hunting Licenses, Big Game Drawing Applications Now Available in California
OutdoorHub 05.21.12
Hunting Licenses, Big Game Drawing Applications Now Available
Hunters can now purchase 2012-2013 hunting licenses and apply for the Big Game Drawing online, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced. Transactions can be conducted at any DFG license sales office, license agent or online.
All premium deer hunt tags, and elk, antelope and bighorn sheep tags are awarded through the DFG Big Game Drawing. To qualify for the Big Game Drawing, the sales transaction must be completed before midnight on June 2, 2012. When the transaction is complete, the customer will receive a receipt to show their hunt choices have been entered in the drawing. Mail-in applications will not be accepted. Beginning June 22, hunters can contact a DFG license sales office or look online to check the results.
To find a license agent near you or to purchase items online, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing. To learn more about the Big Game Drawing application process, please view the 2012 California Hunting Digest (2012 Big Game) at www.dfg.ca.gov/publications/digest/.
Additional Drawing Opportunities
DFG has expanded the random draw fund-raising program initiated in 2011 through its Automated License Data System. Last year, chances for a deer tag and an elk tag were offered to the public and those two opportunities alone generated more than $130,000 for conservation.
For 2012, there are four tags available through fund-raising random drawings. In addition to the deer tag and elk tag offered last year, a pronghorn antelope tag and a bighorn sheep tag are available. The drawings for deer, elk and antelope are open to anyone 12 years of age or older as of July 1, 2012. The sheep drawing is open to anyone 16 years of age or older as of July 1, 2012. The cost to enter the drawings is $5.66 per entry, per hunt. Applicants do not need a valid hunting license to apply, and may apply for the drawings as many times as they wish by June 2, 2012. Winners will be required to purchase an annual hunting license. However, the tag will be issued at no additional cost.
Kelso/Old Dad Mountains Bighorn Sheep Tag
DFG has added one Kelso/Old Dad Mountains Bighorn Sheep tag to the Fund-raising Random Drawing. The Fund-raising Random Drawing sheep tag allows the hunter to hunt in the Kelso/Old Dad Mountains zone with any legal method. The hunt dates are from Nov. 3, 2012 to Feb. 3, 2013.
As an added bonus for the hunter who draws the sheep tag from that random drawing, a private entity, San Gorgonio Wilderness Outfitters, has offered free guide services to the recipient of the tag for the Kelso Peak/Old Dad Mountains zone.
Northeastern California Pronghorn Antelope Tag
DFG has added one Northeastern California Pronghorn antelope tag to the Fund-raising Random Drawing. The Fund-raising Random Drawing antelope tag allows the hunter to hunt in any of the Northeastern antelope zones (Mount Dome, Clear Lake, Likely Tables, Lassen, Big Valley and Surprise Valley) with any legal method. The hunt dates are July 28 through Sept. 16, 2012.
Open Zone Deer Tag
An Open Zone deer tag allows the hunter to hunt during the authorized season dates of any hunt, using the specific method and meeting any special conditions of the tag for that hunt.
Owens Valley Elk Tag
The Fund-raising Random Drawing tule elk tag allows the hunter to hunt in any of the Owens Valley zones (Bishop, Tinemaha Mountain, Tinemaha, West Tinemaha, Independence, Whitney and Lone Pine) with any legal method. The hunt dates are from July 28 to Aug. 26, 2012.
