How does the Draw System Work?

All applications, regardless of species or class, are assigned a random number. Applications with bonus points are assigned additional random numbers by squaring the bonus point total and adding one for the current year (however only the lowest number within the bonus point application is used). Applications are drawn in sequential order starting with the lowest random number then evaluated within the following group order:

Group #1

Silver State, Partnership in Wildlife (PIW), and Junior Mule Deer

Group #2

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Ram, California Bighorn Sheep Ram, Nelson (Desert) Bighorn Sheep Ram, Elk Antlered, Elk Depredation Antlered, Antelope Horns Longer than Ears, Mule Deer Antlered, Mountain Goat, and Bear.

Group #3

California Bighorn Sheep Ewe, Nelson (Desert) bighorn Sheep Ewe, Elk Antlerless, Elk Depredation Antlerless, Antelope Horns Shorter than Ears, and Mule Deer Antlerless.

Group #4

Spike Elk, Management Ram, 1-Horn Ram

This allows applicants to put in for all species and gender classifications they wish to hunt, without worry of drawing a less preferred tag over a more preferred, due to changes in eligibility requirements (i.e., because you are now only allowed to draw a single tag for each species or subspecies category). For instance, in this draw order, if you draw an Antlered Elk tag early in the draw process, your application for Antlerless Elk will not be considered. However, you can apply for both Antlered and Antlerless Elk in the same draw and not worry about your Antlerless tag being drawn first before Antlered Elk.