Special hunting opportunities, like Arkansas doves, are still available for this fall.
Submitted photo
In most Western states, like Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, hunting licenses are distributed through a lottery. Hunters apply for tags and permits, and if lucky, are drawn for a specific hunting privilege. Many Midwestern states have special opportunities available through lotteries, as well. Most of the draws for this fall have been completed, but there are still special opportunities available.
In Michigan, hunters may apply for reserved waterfowl hunts from Aug. 1-28. Applications are $5, and hunters may apply only once. Hunters need to visit the Michigan DNR website to apply. Available hunts include: Oct. 5 and 6 at Fish Point (Tuscola County) and Nayanquing Point (Bay County) state wildlife areas, and Oct. 12 and 13 at the Harsens Island Unit of the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area (St. Clair County) and Pointe Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River (Saginaw County) state game areas.
Drawing results will be available Sept. 16.
Arkansas has special dove hunting opportunities to apply for from Aug. 1-15. The 2024-25 Arkansas Dove Season is Sept. 7-Oct. 27, 2024 and Dec. 8, 2024-Jan.15, 2025.
“It takes at least 10 acres or so to even start a dove field, and a landowner pretty much has to set aside that property and put in some agricultural effort to get sunflowers or other seed-producing plants to come up and keep doves in the area,” said Michelle Furr with the the AGFC Private Lands Habitat Division. “A lot of Arkansans who don’t own that much land or know someone who does really are only left with the options of a few pay-to-hunt fields they may find or public land.”
Applications for all the special dove fields require a $5 processing fee. Applicants may choose a first and second choice for the day and field they want to hunt. Permit winners will be notified after the drawing and will be emailed detailed maps and directions to their fields. Hunters need to visit the AGFC website to apply for a special dove hunting permit.
Idaho has a unique system of big game tag allocation that includes selling returned tags. All of those go on sale Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. MDT. Tags can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis at Fish and Game offices during normal business hours, at license vendors, or online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, or by calling (800) 554-8685.
Idaho publishes a list of available tags on their website. Adult nonresident fees are $351.75 for deer tags and $651.75 for elk tags.
Nebraska has some leftover deer permits that will be available beginning Aug. 7. These 2024 permits, include non-resident tags for Calamus West Nonresident; Loup West; Statewide Archery Nonresident; Statewide Muzzleloader Nonresident; Buffalo Mule Deer Conservation Area Nonresident; and Upper Platte Nonresident. Unsold permits will remain available through the close of all seasons. Purchase available permits at GoOutdoorsNE.com.
If this year a trip out-of-state to hunt isn’t in the cards, you can still begin the process of a trip out west by purchasing preference points in Wyoming.
“Preference points can help increase odds of drawing some species and hunt areas,” said Josh Moulton, Game and Fish license section manager. “Drawing odds for all species and hunt areas are available on the Game and Fish website.”
Hunters must purchase a preference point for a species for two consecutive years to maintain their totals and avoid losing points. Only one point can be acquired per species annually. All applications must be submitted online through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website.
While the process of hunting in a different state can be confusing and something as simple as acquiring a tag may seem overwhelming. But with a little work and creativity, you can find and apply for some cool non-resident hunting opportunities across the country. And occasionally, you’ll experience the luck of the draw. You can’t win if you don’t play.
See you down the trail …
Pic: Special hunting opportunities, like Arkansas doves, are still available for this fall.
Brandon Butler writes a weekly outdoors column for the Daily Journal. For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on www.driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed. Send comments to [email protected].
