Online Licensing Increases Big Game Draw Applications

DFG News    July 15, 2011

The new Automated License Data System (ALDS) used by DFG now is credited for a surge in the number of applicants for the highly anticipated Big Game Draw. Total applications were up 10 percent on average for antelope, deer and sheep, with elk applications up 13 percent over last year.


Only a limited number of tags are issued annually for each species. In previous years, hunters had to drop off their applications at DFG offices, sometimes having to brave long lines of last-minute applicants. This year, walk-in traffic was light as most hunters purchased their applications on the Internet or at a license agent.
New this year was the opportunity for hunters to purchase as many chances as they liked (at $5.40 each) to win a rare Owens Valley elk tag and an open zone deer tag.

New this year was the opportunity for hunters to purchase as many chances as they liked (at $5.40 each) to win a rare Owens Valley elk tag and an open zone deer tag.

The Owens Valley elk tag raised $60,120 and the open zone deer tag raised $77,585. The money raised by these tags goes into the newly implemented Big Game Management Account (BGMA).
A new Senate bill that was implemented this year made specific and important changes to existing law regarding revenues from the sale of antelope, elk, deer, wild pig, bear and sheep tags, including any fund-raising tags. Revenue from these sales must be deposited into the BGMA to provide separate accountability for the receipt and expenditure of these funds. 
The law stipulates the permitted uses for these funds, including acquiring land, completing projects, implementing programs to benefit antelope, elk, deer, wild pigs, bear and sheep, and expanding public hunting opportunities and related public outreach.

Typically these two tags would be auctioned off by nonprofit organizations, which generate approximately $25,000.
Applications for the 2011 Big Game Draw closed June 2, 2011.