Four Steps to Planning an Out of State Hunt

Strategies for planning a successful out of state hunt begin with...

1.) Ask yourself, what do you want to hunt?

The first thing you need to decide if you are applying for an out of state permit, is why you are doing it?  Maybe you are looking for a trophy animal, maybe you are hunting for another tasty critter for the freezer, or maybe you just want another hunt with friends and family.  I've found that Wyoming Antelope hunts are great introductory hunts as tags are plentiful, and the goats are easy to find.

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Some states are world renowned for trophy quality animals of certain species, for instance Arizona is known for large bull elk.  If you are looking for a trophy of a specific species, use online tools such as the Boone and Crockett club to see which states are producing trophies.  If you are looking for a freezer filling hunt, you might want to look at states that offer over the counter tags.

2.) How do you apply?

Once you have decided on a state and what you are hunting, you need to understand the application process and when you need to apply by.  Most states have their application deadlines mid spring, with results typically coming out early to mid-summer.  Learning the application process of a new state does not need to be complicated, you just need to decide where you are applying and read their rules and regulations.  I've found that fish and wildlife departments are happy to help if you want to give them a call during the process.

I will explain the Wyoming draw process for antelope as that is the state I am most familiar with.  In Wyoming, the application deadline has been May 31^st the last few years, and will be the same in 2017.  The draw results are typically 3-4 weeks later, offering plenty of time to do your research.  Wyoming has two types of tags one can apply for.  They have the "regular" draw, and "special" draw.  The special draw licenses are 40% of the non-resident tag quota.  Nonresident tags are limited to approximately 20% of the tag allocation for antelope, with 40% of those going to the special draw.  The special draw tags are $526/Each vs. $286/Each for a regular draw tag.

Essentially your draw odds dramatically increase by paying more money.  Wyoming also gives you the option to buy a preference point only, and not participate in the tag drawing process.  Wyoming has a hunt planner on their website and is a wealth of information in regards to draw odds, harvest reports, etc.  The following can provide a lot of information to perspective applicants:  https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Hunting/Application-Process.  Left over tags are available after the draw if there are some still available.  These tags are sold on a first come, first serve system, and they can sell out quickly.

These state wildlife websites for other western states will get you started.

• Colorado:  http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/PlanYourHunt.aspx
• Idaho: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntPlanner/
• Arizona: https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting
• Nevada: http://www.ndow.org/Hunt/Seasons_and_Regulations/Big_Game/
• Utah: https://wildlife.utah.gov/maps-first-page.html

3.) Researching the hunt, how it helps.

In the event that you are successful in a big game draw for an out of state hunt, lots of people immediately turn to the internet.  Posting a question on a hunting forum such as: "I just drew Unit such and such, where should I hunt?" just isn't going to get you very far.

Most hunters that have learned these areas aren't going to be willing to give a complete stranger ideas on where to hunt.  The internet can be a useful tool when used in the correct manner.  Google earth, and online mapping programs are vital in finding those areas that you are going to want to hunt.  I like to look at where the public land is in the unit, where the access roads are, and figure out where I think I can get away from hunting pressure.

Personally, I try to spend a little time each week looking at online maps to continually familiarize myself with new units.  I think scouting is one of the most fun parts of the hunt.  I look at as much info as possible when researching a new unit.  You are trying to put together pieces of the puzzle, and more information always helps bring that puzzle together.

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Once you have looked at maps and online mapping software, you probably know or at least have an idea of where you think you should hunt.  At this stage of the scouting process, I like to make a call to the fish and wildlife office in the area of your unit, and pick the brain of either a wildlife biologist, or a game warden.

They are often times a wealth of information and let you know if your ideas are good, or garbage.  Again, calling without being able to name a single mountain range in the unit and asking where to hunt likely isn't going to get you far.  You have to show that you've put in some of your own research before people will help you.

4.) This is why scouting matters.

If you can, making a trip to the unit before hunting season is invaluable.  Often times, what you saw on the internet and reality are two different things.  That's not to say the internet scouting is worthless, but it can make country look a lot easier to navigate than it really is.

I think one of the most important things you learn on scouting trips is how to get to hunting spots.  Learning that routes into hunting areas before the hunt, lets you spend your time hunting during season, rather than driving around trying to find a trailhead.  Not only that, but you learn where campsites are, what amenities are available in the local town, what the roads are like etc.

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If you are not able to make a scouting trip before the season starts, I would recommend travelling to the unit 1-2 days before season for your hunt, just to give you that day or two to look around and see where you want to hunt.

Scouting is not only invaluable in learning the area, but you can also find out what kind of bucks/bulls are in the area during this time.  If you can locate game before the season, you will have a great chance of getting on them come opening morning.