UT - Big Game Applications Due by Feb. 16

Time is running out to get your application in for a Utah big game hunting permit, especially if you're applying through the mail.

To be entered in the 2007 Utah big game draw, mail-in applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 16. Applications submitted through the Division of Wildlife Resources' Web site (www.wildlife.utah.gov) must be received no later than 11 p.m. on Feb. 16.

With time running out, the Internet or an overnight mail service might be the best way to make sure your application meets the deadline.

Hunters are reminded that applications postmarked before or on Feb. 16, but that aren't received by 5 p.m. that day, will not be entered in the draw. Applications are not accepted in-person.

Apply on the Internet

If you have a major credit card that's valid through at least May 2006, you can get your application in within a matter of minutes. Just log onto the DWR's Web site (www.wildlife.utah.gov). Once you're on the site, you can apply for a permit by clicking on the 'Apply online for available hunt drawings' choice under the 'Purchase a license or permit' heading on the right side of the home page.

Mail Your Application Early

If you don't apply on the Internet, please remember that it will take a few days for your application to arrive through the mail at the Utah Wildlife Administrative Services office. Because of this, an overnight mail delivery service is probably the best way to help ensure your application is received by the 5 p.m., Feb. 16 due date, says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR.

In addition to arriving on time, applications must be completed correctly. Tutorow encourages you to take your time when completing your application. Please call the nearest DWR office, or the Utah Wildlife Administrative Services office at 1-800-221-0659, if you have questions or need assistance.

The Utah Wildlife Administrative Services office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. DWR offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

Hunt Numbers

Hunters listing the wrong hunt number is a mistake Tutorow sees every year.

"The number for your favorite hunt may have changed from last year," she says. "Before entering your hunt number, double check and make sure the number you're listing on your application is the correct number for the hunt you want to apply for."

Hunt numbers are listed on pages 34 - 45 of the 2007 Utah Big Game Proclamation.

MN - Spring turkey permit lottery available online

Results of spring turkey permit lottery available online at the following site.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/turkey/index.html
Winners will be notified by mail the week of Feb 5th.

UT - Black Bear Applications Accepted Only On the Web This Year

Applications for Utah black bear hunting permits will be accepted only through the Internet this year.

You can apply for a permit at www.wildlife.utah.gov beginning Feb. 1.

Applications must be received through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on Feb. 28 to be included in the draw for permits. Draw results will be available by March 29.

"In the past, black bear hunters could apply through the Internet, or with a paper application," says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing for the DWR. "Because so many people have access to the Internet now, and there are so many advantages to applying online, we won't be accepting paper applications for black bear permits this year."

Tutorow says when you apply online, you can submit your application in a matter of minutes. After you submit your application, you'll receive a confirmation that it was completed correctly and that it will be entered in the draw.

If you make a mistake while applying, the system will warn you about the mistake so you can correct it.

"The Internet provides so many advantages that it doesn't make sense to apply any other way," Tutorow says.

In 2006, more than 6,400 hunters applied for a Utah black bear permit. Of the more than 6,400 hunters, only 230 applied with a paper application. Every year, about 100 hunters who applied with a paper application the year before switch to the Internet and apply online. "Based on that trend, we believe there will be about 100 hunters who wanted to apply with a paper application this year," she says.

If you don't have a computer, Tutorow says there are plenty of places to find one.

"If you don't have access to the Internet, come into a DWR office," she says. "You can use one of our computers, and we'd be happy to help you apply.

"Public libraries also have computers and librarians who can help you use them. And you probably know someone who has a computer in their home and would be happy to help you use it."

If you have questions, or need assistance, please call the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

Get Permission First

Tutorow encourages hunters to obtain written permission from landowners before applying for a hunt that occurs on private land. "Written permission is required to hunt private property, and we encourage hunters to obtain that permission before applying," Tutorow says. "We don't want hunters to draw a permit and then find they can't use it because landowners won't give them permission to hunt the area."

The DWR doesn't have a list of people who own land where black bear hunts occur, so hunters need to take the time needed to locate the landowners.

Less than 25 percent of Utah's black bear hunts occur on private property. Hunts that do occur on private property are indicated by an asterisk in the 2007 Utah Black Bear Proclamation, which will be available by Feb. 1.

Utah's spring bear season runs April 7 - May 31. The state's fall hunt runs Aug. 25 - Sept. 30 and Nov. 1 - 25.

For more information, call Utah Wildlife Administrative Services at 1-800-221-0659, the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

UT - 2006 Drawing Odds Help Hunters Applying This Year

The odds of drawing a Utah big game permit in 2006 are now available in a Division of Wildlife Resources report.

"Drawing odds usually don't change drastically from year to year, so I think hunters who are applying for a Utah big game permit for 2007 will be very interested in seeing the report," says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR. "And the best part is, it doesn't cost anything to view it."

Hunters who have access to the Internet can view and download the 2006 Big Game Odds Report for free by visiting the DWR's Web site at www.wildlife.utah.gov.

The publication is available by visiting the Hunting section of the home page and clicking on Big Game. After arriving at the Big Game section, scroll down to Big Game Statistics and click on 2006 bucks, bulls and once-in-a-lifetime bonus point & draw statistics. That selection will take you to the 2006 Big Game Odds Report.

The report also can be viewed at DWR offices in Ogden, Salt Lake City, Springville, Vernal, Price and Cedar City. If you'd like to purchase a copy of the report, they're available at each office for $17.34, plus sales tax.

Hunters are reminded that applications for 2007 Utah big game hunting permits must be received no later than Feb. 17 to be included in the draw for permits. Mail-in applications must be received no later than 5 p.m., and applications submitted through the DWR's Web site must be received no later than 11 p.m. that day.

For more information, call the Utah Wildlife Administrative Services office at 1-800-221-0659, the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

You may also want to consider purchasing The Odds Book 2006-07 Edition for Utah. This comprehensive book helps take the confusion out of the mass of information and will help increase the odds of actually drawing a Utah Big Game tag. The book may be purchased at www.TrailMasterOutdoors.com

Western Hunting Expo permits

Why come to the Western Hunting Conservation Expo? The Hunting Expo offers many important reasons for sportsmen from throughout Utah and across the United States to attend, including:

If you have ever dreamed of taking a 400-inch bull elk or a 35-inch mule deer buck, or moose, bison, bighorn, desert bighorn, or mountain goat, you must come and apply in person Jan. 17-20, 2007.

200 of Utah’s most valuable and coveted trophy hunting permits in the West are available by drawing to every sportsman who attends the Hunting Expo and applies in person.

There will be NO bonus points, waiting periods, resident or non-resident restrictions or limitations for these coveted permits.

150 of the best hunts in the Western United States, Canada, and Mexico will be auctioned at the Expo.

More than 500 of the world’s top hunting and fishing guides, equipment manufacturers, retailers and other exhibitors will assemble under one roof to display goods, services, equipment and advice to attendees.

Karl Malone, Comedian Jeff Foxworthy, and numerous celebrity icons within the hunting industry will be in attendance for a variety of appearances, special events, and seminars. Many of these events will be FREE to the public.

3 of the nation’s 5 leading sportsmen/wildlife conservation organizations (FNAWS, MDF, SFH) will hold a first-time-ever Joint National Convention in Salt Lake City during the Expo .

Contribute to conservation: Your attendance and any purchases made or application fees paid will go directly to purchase deer and elk winter range in western North America, fund habitat improvement projects on federal lands, transplant new herds and flocks of huntable species, and protect hunters’ rights.

Join FNAWS, MDF, SFH for their annual national conventions.

Enjoy celebrity entertainment, world-class speakers and presenters.

Meet thousands of fellow sportsmen who share your love of conservation and hunting and fishing.

Raise awareness for Wildlife Conservation and Hunting. The Hunting Expo is a tremendous opportunity for sportsmen to come together and raise large amounts for local wildlife conservation and awareness of hunting and wildlife conservation issues.

http://huntexpo.com