We hear the saying every year: “I wish I would’ve started hunting out West sooner.” It’s a very common sentiment among hunters and is definitely an understandable one. What keeps so many hunters from applying out West — or if you already live out West — for other states? Financials definitely play a part in it; however, I really think that a large portion of that blame lies in the simple fact that it’s just flat out intimidating.

The logistics of planning a western hunt can be daunting, the regulations vary a ton from state to state and trying to wade into the pool of understanding can leave you more confused than when you started. In the following article, we are going to look at what it takes to apply in each of the western states and what to expect when it is time to click “submit.”

This is also where the power of Insider comes into play. You'll be more organized, you get better information, and all that research will lead to going on more hunts.

Hunting Application Deadlines

The first thing you will want to familiarize yourself with when applying to western states will be the various draw application deadlines. A draw deadline is essentially the last day you can apply for that given draw; after the deadline has passed, no applications will be accepted. It will be important to keep key deadlines top-of-mind throughout the year and as you strategize your plans. Draw deadlines pop-up through the entirety of the calendar year and missing one is the absolute worst.

Every year, we release a very handy article that details out all of the application periods, deadlines and much more. Check it out at the link below.

2024 Western Hunting Application Deadlines

Creating Your Account with Each State

The first step in preparing to apply for your first western state will be to create an online account for the respective state. The online account will be the vessel to submit your applications, but will also provide a place to check draw results, see currently held tags and more.

Prerequisites When Applying in a State

After getting a good grasp on the deadlines for each of the various states and setting up an account, the next step is to ensure you have everything you’ll need to submit your application. Some states require you to purchase a non refundable hunting license each year that you apply; others do not. These nonrefundable fees can add up each year, so hunters may need to plan ahead financially for these draws.

Application Fees

Along with prerequisite licenses, applicants may also be subject to specific application fees in each state and for each application. The following table will break these down.

Up-front Fees

After gaining an understanding on what items you may need before applying and what application fees you’ll need to pay, it is important to then discuss the actual cost of applying. At times, states will only require the prerequisites to apply; however, there are several states where you have to pay for the entire cost of the license while applying and are only refunded if and when you are unsuccessful in the drawing. Sometimes you’ll have to float the cost for these licenses/applications for a few weeks; other times for several months. In the following table, we will break down the states that require all tag fees to be paid up front.

Hunter Education Requirements

The last thing to check before applying for your first western hunt will be the various hunter education requirements. In general, most states will require that you have completed hunter education prior to applying or purchasing a tag, but there are some options out there. In the below table, we will explore the various requirements for each of the western states.

Conclusion

Applying out West — or out-of-state — for the first time can be a daunting endeavor. I’m hopeful that the information provided in this article will help those of you who are looking to take this on in 2023. Throughout the year, I will be focusing on a lot of content centered around getting into western hunting and all of the various challenges, hurdles and unexpected events that can come with it. I have a massive list of articles to come, but would love to hear ideas and requests from you! Getting people into western hunting is a topic I am always interested in and thinking about. I’m very excited for what is to come with this series!

Insider Research Tools

Throughout GOHUNT Insider, we have research tools that will enable you to quickly and easily find the perfect hunt. Whether you’re looking for your first Western hunt or you want to see the best way to use your points, Insider is your ticket to unlocking the West.

Each research tool on GOHUNT will allow you to find the perfect hunt. When you combine Draw Odds with Filtering 2.0 and GOHUNT's 3D maps... it is everything you need to gain an edge and become more successful.

State Profile Links

If you're looking for more information about each individual state, be sure to dive into our State and Species Profiles located in your Insider account.

Alaska Arizona California Colorado Idaho Kansas Montana Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Oregon South Dakota Utah Washington Wyoming

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This article was first published February 13, 2023 and has been updated with more information.