Big Time Texas Hunts Winners Announced
November 6, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas — Seventeen lucky sportsmen are making special plans for hunting season as winners of this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts. The hunters were selected by random computer drawing from applicants in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department program.
All told, hunters bought 79,327 Big Time Texas Hunt entries during this year’s sales period through the Oct. 15 deadline. This generated $776,229 in gross revenue to support wildlife research, habitat management and public hunting.
Stephen Bauer has been entering the Big Time Texas Hunts for years as a way to support TPWD youth hunting and public hunting efforts. Bauer, who owns and operates two feed stores in the Kerrville area, said he puts in for every hunt category and that support paid dividends as he was drawn as this year’s Big Time Bird Hunt package winner.
“I’m very excited about it,” said Bauer. “This will give me an opportunity to hunt some bird species I haven’t hunted before.”
Bauer, along with as many as three of his hunting buddies, will enjoy a unique package of upland game bird hunts: two days of quail, two days of pheasant hunting in the Panhandle and two afternoons of dove hunting. There will also be a two-day guided spring turkey hunt for two included in the package.
The winner of this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts crown jewel, the Texas Grand Slam hunt package — which includes four separate guided hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals; desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope and mule deer — will be facing a significant logistical challenge. The winner, Matt Portch, lives in Hopewell Junction, New York.
“Luckily I have a lot of frequent flyer miles,” said Portch, who works for a pharmaceutical company in Manhattan. “I lived in Texas for 10 years and have been entering the Big Time Texas Hunts since the first year of the program. I always applied with the hope, but never the intention of winning, so it was a marvelous surprise.”
Portch admits trying to coordinate four major hunting trips to Texas on the calendar is going to be a big challenge. “But, I will make it happen, it’s too important,” he said. “I have not done any hunting in New York, but have been looking for reasons to come back to Texas. Now I have four reasons!”
Following are the winners of this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts.
- Grand Slam — Matt Portch, Hopewell Junction, NY
- Premium Buck Hunt — Leon Pavlock, Guy, TX
- Exotic Safari — James Cavness, Sanger, TX; Joshua Bellman, North Richland Hills, TX
- Whitetail Bonanza — John Knotts, Streetman, TX; Kevin Harris, El Campo, TX; Dixon Presnall, Aledo, TX; Patrick Mitchell, Pine Bluff, AR; Clarence Davis, Groveton, TX; Matthew Zaiontz, San Antonio; Roddy Wade, Dallas; Neil Reichenback, Carrollton, TX; Thomas Patrick, Houston; Kenny Ferguson, Ackerly, TX.
- Big Time Bird Hunt — Stephen Bauer, Harper, TX
- Waterfowl Adventure — John Noland, Houston
- Gator Hunt — Mark Garrison, Houston
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Wyoming Preference Point Deadline is September 30
September 22, 2008
CHEYENNE– Resident and nonresident moose and bighorn sheep hunters and nonresident elk, deer and antelope hunters are reminded that the preference point only application deadline is 5 p.m. Sept. 30.
Preference points are available for qualifying big game hunters who did not apply for a moose or bighorn sheep license this year and nonresident elk, deer and antelope hunters who did not draw their first choice license and did not mark the preference point box on their license application.
Preference points may be purchased through conventional mail or online at . Applications can also be obtained online or by calling (307) 777-4600. Hunters with eligibility questions or other inquiries about preference points can call (307) 777-4600.
Game and Fish will update preference points after Sept. 30. Hunters can verify preference point balances on the Game and Fish Web site after mid November.
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Leftover Hunting Licenses Available in Wyoming At Automated License Agents
September 2, 2008
CHEYENNE– Sales of leftover big game licenses at automated license agents have been very steady, according to Game and Fish license section manager Jean Cole.
“More than 5,000 licenses were sold on Aug. 15, the first day reduced price licenses were available,” said Cole. “And while this volume put some strain on the system, we are working out the glitches and sales are progressing smoothly.”
Leftover license sales have been averaging more than 700 per day since Aug. 15.
In previous years, regular price licenses left over after the drawings were only sold at Game and Fish offices and leftover reduced price licenses were only sold at license agents. The Game and Fish would send books of reduced price licenses to agents near the hunt areas where the licenses were valid. “This gave people in those areas an advantage of obtaining the licenses, ” Cole said, “But it made it difficult for someone who lived a distance from that area to obtain a license.”Â
Cole said with the new automated system, all hunters have to do is go to any Game and Fish office or one of the 100 fully automated agents in the state and they can obtain a license from that location.  “For example, if a hunter from Cheyenne wanted to obtain a doe antelope license in the Gillette area, a visit to an automated agent in Cheyenne can take care of the licensing.” A listing of automated agents can be found on the Game and Fish Web site.
Licenses are printed out at the license agent, which saves mailing time and expense, and when a license is sold, the automated system deducts that license from the remaining quota in that hunt area. This information is also reflected on the Game and Fish Web site and makes it easy for hunters to determine the number of licenses remaining in a given hunt area.
Licenses can still be purchased through traditional paper applications from the license section in Cheyenne and those licenses are still being mailed to hunters. Residents are reminded they must be physically present to purchase licenses from license agents. Resident applications signed and submitted by another person are only accepted at Game and Fish offices.
Hunters with questions on applying for licenses can contact the Game and Fish at (307) 777-4600.
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Big Game Licenses for Mentored Hunters Available Online
August 28, 2008
PIERRE, S.D.—Big game license for mentored hunters are now available through the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department Web site.
The big game licenses allow mentored youth to hunt antlerless deer, antelope and turkey. Available to resident mentors for a $5 fee, the licenses are valid during the youth deer season, the archery and firearms antelope seasons and the fall turkey season.
The last session of the S.D. Legislature passed a law that allows children as young as 10 years of age to take part in mentored hunts. The availability of mentored hunting licenses for three big game seasons is just the latest step in providing more hunting opportunities for young people.
License applications may be submitted through the Web site at www.sdgfp.info
or by printing out a paper application available on the site and through license dealers. To apply by computer, on the GFP home page hold the cursor over “Licenses and Reservations” and then click on “Limited Issue Licenses.” Then follow the instructions to complete and submit the application. A credit card is needed for making the payment online.
The purchase of a mentored hunting license does not affect the eligibility of the parent or guardian to purchase a license in other deer, antelope or turkey seasons. “However,” said GFP Licensing Office Supervisor Scott Simpson, “the purchase of such a license renders the mentored youth hunter ineligible to purchase regular licenses for the youth deer, antelope or fall turkey hunting seasons.”
With the first mentored hunts set to take place this fall, the Game, Fish and Parks Department is anticipating plenty of interest and plenty of questions.
“The Resident Mentored Hunting pamphlet available online is a good source of information about the requirements and restrictions governing these hunts,” said GFP Licensing Office Supervisor Scott Simpson. “Even if a mentor applies for the licenses online, printing out the pamphlet and keeping it on hand is still a good idea.”
Other online sources of information can be found by clicking on “Mentored Hunting” under the “What’s New” tab on the home page of the GFP Web site. The information there includes regulations governing young hunters and mentors as they take part in small game and big game seasons and frequently asked questions. Among those questions are:
What do I need to do to grant permission to my neighbor to take my child on a mentored hunt?
Written permission is required. The parent or guardian may write a note as simple as, “I grant permission for <mentor name> to take my child, <child name>, on a mentored hunt.” Signed (your name)
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Can an adult mentor carry a gun on a mentored big game hunt?
One firearm may be carried between the mentored hunter and the adult mentor. Only the youth may shoot the gun under this mentored season. However, if there is a concurrent season in progress (for example, East River Deer) and the adult mentor is legally licensed, the adult mentor may have possession of the firearm and shoot an animal he/she is licensed to take. Any adult or mentor who possesses a valid concealed pistol permit may possess a pistol.
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What do you define as immediate control between the adult and mentored hunter?
Immediate control is most appropriately described as within arm’s length.
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Does my child need to take the HuntSAFE class to participate in a mentored hunt?
No. The intent of the mentored program is to expose youth to the sport of hunting. We believe that once a youth has participated in a mentored hunt that the experience will spark their interest in hunting and they’ll make the decision to enroll in a HuntSAFE class at the appropriate time.
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Since the Mentored Hunt big game license is issued to the parent and the parent may assign the responsibility of mentorship to another adult, may the parent also assign another mentored hunter to use the license?
The mentored hunter license is not transferable, and is specific to the mentored hunter named on the license.
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How many people can hunt in this mentor situation?
The maximum party size is six individuals. There can be two mentors, two mentored hunters, and two observers; or there can be as many as three mentors and three mentored hunters. The ratio of mentors to mentored hunters must remain one-to-one and there can be no more that six people total in the group.
My child is 9 years old but will turn 10 during the hunting season. May I apply for a mentored hunting big game license?
Yes, you may apply and receive a license for the mentored hunt. The license will not be valid until your child’s 10th birthday.
I took the hunter education course many years ago but I don’t have my certification card. May I still mentor a hunter?
The adult mentor must have the hunter education certificate/card in their possession while hunting. If you took a South Dakota course, you may check the Game, Fish and Parks Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/safety/CardReplacement.htm or call the GFP office at (605) 773-7154.
If I want to mentor a hunter but have never taken a hunter education class, how can I get my hunter education certification?
You may check for a class near you by going to: http://www.sdgfp.info/wildlife/hunting/Safety/HuntSAFEindex.htm
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Does becoming a mentor affect my ability to hunt other seasons during the time I am a mentor?
Being a mentor does not affect the eligibility of the parent/guardian or mentor for any other hunting license.
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How many big game mentor licenses can be purchased for a mentored hunter?
For each mentored hunter a parent or guardian can purchase one mentored deer license, one mentored antelope license, one mentored fall turkey license, and one mentored spring turkey license.
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How do I apply for a mentored big game license?
Mentored big game license applications can be found at all GFP offices, license agents throughout the state, or you can apply online at this link: https://secure.state.sd.us/applications/gf79biggame/login.asp
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As a parent who does not hunt but would like my son/daughter to learn to hunt, am I restricted to designating only one person to serve as a mentor to my child?
As the parent of the mentored hunter, you can grant permission to multiple individuals to serve as a mentor, as long as they have written permission from you and they meet the requirements to be a mentor.
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If I purchase a mentored hunt deer license for my son/daughter, why can’t they also purchase a license for the regular youth deer season?
The idea behind the mentored hunting program is to provide the experience and exposure to a young person who is interested and just getting started in hunting. The emphasis of the mentored hunt should be to have fun, learn and become more knowledgeable about hunting, not to harvest as many animals as possible.
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If I want to take my 10-year-old son on a mentored waterfowl hunt, what license does he need? What license do I as the mentor need?
Your son would need no license. As the mentor, you would need to have the proper South Dakota hunting license, Federal Waterfowl Stamp, and Migratory Bird Certification.
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As a mentor, do I need to carry my hunter certification with me in the field?
Yes. It is required that the mentor possess their hunter education certification.
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Can a mentored hunter use a bow and arrow to harvest a deer or antelope?
Yes, bow and arrow may be used to hunt during firearms seasons. If a bow is used to harvest deer or antelope, it must meet all equipment restrictions currently in place for big game hunting.
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If a mentored hunter chooses to hunt with a bow, do the National Bowhunter Archery Education requirements also apply?
No, the bowhunter education requirements apply only to archery-only hunting licenses.
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If a mentored hunter is accompanied in the field by an adult mentor who is not the parent or guardian, who should sign the big game tag once the animal is harvested?
Because a mentor was granted permission by the parent/guardian, the mentor will sign the tag once the animal is harvested.
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What is the limit for the mentor while small game hunting, for example pheasants?
The mentor does not have a separate limit from the mentored hunter. Between the mentor and mentored hunter, only three pheasants can be harvested. For example, if the mentored hunter harvests two roosters, the mentor would only be allowed one additional rooster the remainder of that same day.
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Can a mentor take out more than one mentored hunter in a given day?
Yes. However, the ratio of mentor to mentored hunter must be one-to-one. Also, if a mentor were to hunt with two different mentored hunters in one day, the daily limit would apply to both hunts. For example, if a mentor takes out 2 mentored hunters, between the two groups only three pheasants could be harvested in one day.
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Wyoming Game and Fish Calendar - 8/4/2008
August 4, 2008
Aug. 5 - Leftover full price deer, elk, antelope licenses available at automated license agents
Aug. 15 - Application deadline for fall turkey
Aug. 15 - Leftover doe/fawn deer and antelope licenses go on sale at automated license agents
Aug. 15 - Wildlife Heritage Foundation of WY golf tournament, Devil’s Tower, go to www.whfw.org
Aug. 15 - Archery antelope opens in many areas
Sept. 1 - Archery elk and deer open in most areas. Remaining antelope areas open for archery hunting.
Sept. 1 - Cottontail, squirrel, dove, rail, mountain grouse and snipe seasons open.
Sept. 1-8 - Early Canada goose season in Pacific Flyway
Sept. 11-13 - Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo, Casper
Sept. 30 - Deadline to purchase big game preference points
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Wyoming Walk-in Hunting Atlas Now Available
August 4, 2008
CASPER– The 2008 walk-in hunting atlas is now available featuring hundreds of walk-in areas and thousands of acres where hunters can access private lands for a variety of species.  Â
Hunters can obtain a copy of the walk-in atlas at Game and Fish offices and license agents throughout the state.
Game and Fish public land access coordinator Matt Buehler said walk-in areas include nearly 700,000 acres of public access throughout much of Wyoming. Walk-in areas are available in 21 of Wyoming’s 23 counties. The walk-in areas differ from the hunter management areas, another Game and Fish public access program, in that no permit must be obtained to hunt. To use one of the 40 hunter management areas, a physical permission slip can be obtained online or at Game and Fish offices. Details on obtaining hunter management permits and accessing some of the 850,000 acres available through that program can be obtained online or by calling (307) 777-4600. Maps and rules for each hunter management area can also be found on the Game and Fish Web site.
Walk-in areas are available for elk, deer and antelope as well as a variety of upland bird species, waterfowl, small game and predators. The walk-in atlas lists the species that can be hunted within the area and the dates when the walk-in area can be accessed.
The walk-in program is funded to a large extent through the Game and Fish AccessYes program through contributions of anglers and hunters usually at the time of license purchase and application.
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Preference Point Application Period Underway
July 8, 2008
CHEYENNE - Resident and nonresident moose and bighorn sheep hunters and nonresident elk, deer and antelope hunters are reminded that the preference point only application period is now underway. Applications for preference points will be accepted through Sept. 30.
The preference point only application period is for all qualifying big game hunters who did not apply for a license this year and nonresident elk, deer, and antelope hunters who did not draw their first choice license and did not mark the preference point box on their license application.
Preference points may be purchased through conventional mail or online at http://gf.state.wy.us. Applications can also be obtained online or by calling (307) 777-4600. Hunters with eligibility questions or other inquiries about preference points can call (307) 777-4600. (Contact: Al Langston, (307) 777-4540)
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Application Period Nears For Leftover Elk, Deer, Antelope Licenses
July 8, 2008
CHEYENNE - Hunters who missed the earlier application periods for elk, deer and antelope licenses could still have an opportunity to hunt this fall by participating in the upcoming drawing for hunt areas and license types that were under subscribed in the initial draws.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports that more than 9,100 antelope, 4,000 deer and 4,300 elk licenses are available in the second draw. Access in areas with remaining licenses is a mixture of public and private lands. Some areas have large amounts of national forest while others are predominantly private. The majority of remaining antelope licenses are for hunt areas where public access is limited. Many of the deer licenses are also on private land areas, but several of the nonresident regions with leftover licenses have large amounts of public land access. Many of the elk licenses are for hunt areas within national forest lands and most of the remaining licenses are for antlerless elk only. However, remaining elk licenses also include a number of areas with archery only licenses and a handful of areas with licenses that allow the taking of either antlered or antlerless elk. Hunters are urged to research areas with leftover licenses, and where necessary, obtain access before applying.
The application period is July 10-21 with the drawing tentatively scheduled for Aug. 1. The second drawing is open to both residents and nonresidents. Applicants may apply online or through conventional mail.
Questions on hunt areas with available licenses, a listing of areas with licenses remaining and applications can be obtained by calling (307) 777-4600. A listing of hunt areas and applications is also available on the Game and Fish Web site http://gf.state.wy.us .
Licenses remaining after the Aug. 1 drawing will be sold “as processed” through Game and Fish offices and automated license agents. (Contact: Al Langston, (307) 777-4540)
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Wyoming Game & Fish Calendar - 7/7/2008
July 8, 2008
- July 1-Sept. 30-Preference point only application period.
- July 10-21-Application period for supplemental drawing for elk, deer and antelope licenses.
- July 15-G&F public meeting on sage grouse game bird farms regulation, Green River G&F office 7 p.m.
- July 15-G&F public meeting on sage grouse game bird farms regulation, Jackson G&F office 7 p.m.
- July 15-G&F public meeting on sage grouse game bird farms regulation, Laramie G&F office, 7 p.m.
- July 15-G&F public meeting on sage grouse game bird farms regulation, Sheridan G&F office, 3 p.m.
- July 16-G&F public meeting on sage grouse game bird farms regulation, Cody, Park County Courthouse 7 p.m.
- July 16-G&F public meeting on sage grouse game bird farms regulation, Lander G&F office, 7 p.m.
- July 16-G&F public meeting on sage grouse game bird farms regulation, Pinedale G&F office 4 p.m.
- July 17-G&F public meeting on sage grouse game bird farms regulation, Casper G&F office 7 p.m.
- July 31-Application deadline for early sandhill crane
- Aug. 15-Application deadline for fall turkey
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Idaho Super Hunt Drawing Coming Up
June 10, 2008
On Monday, June 16, entries for Super Hunt tags will be drawn for eight elk, eight deer and eight antelope hunts as well as one moose hunt.
The winners will be drawn at 9 a.m. in the Trophy Room at Idaho Fish and Game headquarters at 600 S. Walnut in Boise. The public is welcome.
One Super Hunt Combo ticket also will be drawn that will entitle the winner to hunts for one each elk, deer, antelope and moose. The winners can hunt in any open hunt.
It’s not too late to enter. Entries for the second drawing must be received at Fish and Game no later than August 10. A second drawing will be August 15. Entries for two elk, two deer, two antelope and one moose along with another Super Hunt Combo will be drawn.
Tickets are available online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/superhunt/, at license vendors and Fish and Game offices, by phone at 800-554-8685 or 800-824-3729, or by mail at: IDFG License Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.
Money from the sale of tickets for the Super Hunt - described as “the hunt of a lifetime” - supports the Access Yes! program, which compensates landowners to provide hunter and angler access to or across private land.
For information about this program contact local Fish and Game officials or visit the Website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/accessyesguide.aspx.