How to understand Oregon's new 'premier hunt' tags
Dominic Aiello
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's 2016 Big Game regulations were recently released, and this year there's a major new addition called "premium hunts" tags.
The new program has inspired a lot of questions. So, to help you understand the program and increase your odds at successfully drawing a big game tag in 2016, here's a breakdown of how it works.
What is a premium hunt tag?
The new premium hunts are an additional tag available in nearly every unit with existing deer, elk, or pronghorn hunts. The significant difference between a standard big game tag and a premium hunt tag is season length.
Unlike a standard deer or elk tag, which may only last a few days, the premium deer and elk season will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30. The pronghorn season is also longer, running from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.
How do I get a tag?
The first step is to check Page 16 of the 2016 Big Game Regulations to review the units with premium hunt tags. Once you've decided which unit you want to apply for, follow a similar process to the existing big game controlled hunts. Either online at http://www.dfw.state.or.us, at a licensed agent or using ODFW's mail/fax order application, you pay the standard $8 application fee per species.
You're able to select your first choice through the fifth choice. However, with only one tag available in each unit, it is extremely unlikely that any second to fifth choice tags will ever be drawn.
What are my chances of drawing?
Your odds of drawing will vary based on how many other hunters apply for the same tag. No preference points are gained if you do not obtain a tag. This means that similar to the bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat tags, your odds are equal to everyone else's year after year.
However, unlike the sheep or goat tags, the premium hunt tags are not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Theoretically, you could draw multiple tags during your "hunting career."
When is the deadline to apply?
As with the standard controlled hunt applications, the deadline to apply for a premium hunt tag is May 15, and the results will be available by June 20.
Is this tag in additional to the normal tags?
Yes. The premium hunt tag is an additional hunting opportunity. This means that you can have a deer tag (controlled series tag or over the counter western deer tag) and also have a premium hunt deer tag in the same year. The same applies to elk and pronghorn.
If I draw, what does the tag cost?
If you're one of the lucky few, the deer, elk, or antelope tag will cost the same as their standard counterpart.
Deer: $26.50
Elk: $46
Antelope: $48
If you have any additional questions, contact ODFW at 503-947-6000.
Dominic Aiello is an avid hunter, angler and wildlife policy expert. He is the president of the Oregon Outdoor Council and has been published in OPB, East Oregonian, High Country News, Wide Open Spaces, and others. Follow his adventures on Instagram @daiello91 or Twitter @HunterInformant.