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Nonresident Western Hunt Planning Guide: Limited Draw Deadlines, OTC Tags, and Point Systems

BYH Inc

Traditionally, BookYourHunt.com opens the new year with a blog that will help you plan your hunt in the American West. We’ll give you the application deadlines for limited draw hunts, along with bonus points systems, landowner tags and OTC tag options, for the most popular destinations: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming (click on the name to jump to the respective state).

DISCLAIMER: This post contains only general information and not definitive, final answers. Deadlines, fees, quotas, and hunt rules can change. Always confirm current regulations, unit restrictions, and exact application details directly with the relevant state authorities.

Arizona 

Arizona runs three main big-game application windows each year: elk and pronghorn in winter; deer, sheep, javelina, bison plus sandhill crane and fall turkey in late spring; and the draw for the next spring season (javelina, bear, turkey, bison) in early fall. Historically, the deadlines for these draws are the second Tuesdays of February and June and the first Tuesday of October. AZGFD posts the exact dates and cut-off times each cycle, so use the deadlines below as planning targets and confirm them when the draw opens.

Elk and Pronghorn Antelope

Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Sandhill Crane, Fall Turkey, Javelina, and Bison

Javelina, Bear, Turkey, and Bison (Spring 2027 season)

OTC and leftover tag options

Arizona does have opportunities to pick up leftover hunt permit-tags after the draw — but availability is limited and the process/timing can change by year. Treat leftovers as a bonus plan, not your primary plan. 

Bonus points and nonresident realities

One practical “free” edge: the Ethically Hunting Arizona course

If you’re building a long game in Arizona, the Ethically Hunting Arizona online course can award a lifetime bonus point (separate from standard hunter education). 

Arizona Big Game Super Raffle

Arizona Big Game Super Raffle is a real wildcard. Winners get a 365-day hunt window (commonly Aug 15 to Aug 14) and can hunt under the raffle tag rules for that species. Ticket deadlines vary by year, but historically fall on the first week of July, so get your Arizona Big Game Super Raffle tickets by end of June. 

For the most accurate information, refer to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s official website and the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle website.

Colorado 

Colorado’s licensing calendar is built around four moments: spring turkey in winter, the primary big-game draw in spring, a secondary draw in early summer, and leftover/OTC sales in August. For nonresidents, the big takeaway is to plan your applications early—then be ready on key on-sale dates if you’re hunting OTC or leftovers.

Spring Turkey (2026 season)

Primary Draw: Big Game (2026 seasons)

This is the main draw for bear, deer, elk, moose, pronghorn, sheep, and mountain goat.

Secondary Draw: Bear, Deer, Elk, and Pronghorn

Colorado’s secondary draw is designed as a second opportunity for licenses not issued or not fully filled in the primary draw. The secondary draw does not use or award preference points.

OTC and leftover license options

Leftovers are the limited licenses remaining after the primary and secondary draws; they can also include certain returned or reissued licenses. CPW posts a reissue preview list on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. MT, then releases those hunt codes for sale on Wednesdays near 11 a.m. MT (with additional rules about refreshes and cutoffs).

OTC licenses

Colorado offers meaningful OTC options, but nonresident availability depends heavily on species, season, and GMU. Since 2025, nonresidents can no longer purchase OTC archery elk licenses in GMUs west of I-25 (and GMU 140). Those opportunities shifted into limited hunts, and you need to apply for them through the draw. Some OTC licenses are available for rifle elk, bear, archery pronghorn, and white-tailed deer hunts; always confirm the valid units and hunt codes in the current Big Game Brochure before building travel plans. 

Application process and nonresident essentials

Before you can apply in Colorado’s big-game draws, you must have a current-year qualifying license. You can buy the qualifying license and submit your draw application in the same transaction, but the qualifying license must be added to the cart first. You do not need a qualifying license to buy OTC or leftover licenses.

Preference points and nonresident allocation

Preference points matter in the primary draw for deer/elk/pronghorn/bear, and weighted points apply to moose, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and mountain goat.  In the primary draw, nonresidents have a defined share of licenses set aside (with different caps depending on how many resident points a hunt code typically takes). In the secondary draw and leftover licenses, nonresident allocation rules do not apply—it’s essentially open availability by hunt code.

Always verify final deadlines, hunt codes, unit maps, season dates, and nonresident OTC rules in the current-year CPW brochures and CPWshop notices before you book travel.

Idaho

Idaho still offers a lot of general-season opportunity, but the best elk and deer units—and all of the state’s most coveted species (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat)—sit behind controlled hunts. For nonresidents, the biggest shift to understand is that general-season deer and elk tags moved to an application-and-draw system beginning with the 2026 season, replacing the old “be online at 10 a.m.” race.

IDFG posts controlled-hunt application periods as set date ranges each year. For the 2026 season, the key windows are:

Spring Bear

Spring Turkey

Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat

Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Fall Bear, Fall Turkey, and Swan (controlled hunts)

Controlled-hunt requirement (important): to apply for controlled hunts, residents and nonresidents must have a valid Idaho hunting license.

Second drawings and second-chance controlled hunts (2026)

Idaho runs additional application periods for tags that weren’t issued or weren’t claimed in the first round.

If you want to be considered in a second drawing, you must apply during that second window It’s not an automatic “rollover” from the first period.

OTC, leftovers, and returned tags: what nonresidents should actually expect

Nonresident deer & elk: the new draw dates you can’t miss (2026 tags)

Starting with the 2026 season, Idaho changed how nonresident general-season deer and elk tags are distributed. Instead of one fast “OTC on-sale morning,” nonresidents apply in a separate draw. This draw is about getting the right to buy a nonresident general deer/elk tag (i.e., the tag that lets you hunt general seasons), not about controlled hunt numbers.

IDFG also notes that hunters must have a hunting license valid for big game to apply.

Idaho Super Hunt Combo

Idaho’s Super Hunt program is a separate opportunity that can be worth entering even if you’re not hunting Idaho this year.

You do not need an Idaho hunting license to enter Super Hunt (or the Super Hunt Combo), but you must purchase one if you are drawn.

Check the Idaho Fish and Game official website for the most current information on application deadlines, season dates, and regulations.

Learn more about hunting in the “undiscovered gem of the West” from our blog.

Montana

Montana offers a substantial number of deer and elk tags to non-residents via limited draw, and is refreshingly consistent: special drawing applications open March 1, with most key nonresident deadlines landing on April 1, May 1, and June 1. If you’re planning a Montana trip, build your calendar around those three cutoffs (and note the late-night deadline time). 

Deer & Elk permits and nonresident combination licenses

This draw covers the nonresident combination licenses (e.g., General Big Game Combo, Elk Combo, Deer Combo, and related nonresident combo categories), as well as limited deer and elk permits tied to specific districts. 

Moose, Bison, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat

Pronghorn and “B” licenses

This includes the special draw for pronghorn antelope, as well as Deer B and Elk B draws. The “B” draws are Montana’s current naming for additional, usually antlerless opportunities. 

Bonus points vs preference points

Bonus points increase your chances in drawings by giving you more “raffle tickets” — and Montana squares your bonus points before the drawing, so points scale quickly.

Preference points are mainly about nonresident combination licenses (not permits). Montana awards 75% of nonresident combo licenses in order of applicants with the most preference points, and the other 25% randomly among applicants with zero preference points. 

If you don’t apply for a combination license that year, you may purchase one preference point July 1 – December 31 (cap: 3 preference points).

Leftover, returned, and “didn’t-draw” options

Montana handles post-draw availability through Surplus Licenses. You sign up during a set Surplus License List window, then the list is randomized and hunters are contacted by email to finalize purchases. If surplus remains after the list process, FWP notes it may be made available over the counter through license providers (availability varies).

Landowner programs

Montana has two landowner-related systems:

New Mexico

“With a unique blend of native and introduced game species, challenging terrain, and a well-regulated tag system, New Mexico offers a world-class hunting experience” – says our blog about hunting in the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico’s draw is simple on paper and brutally competitive in the best units. There are two key application deadlines: in February for bear and turkey, and in March for Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn, and oryx.

Your planning success as a nonresident comes down to hitting the deadline, understanding the quota pools, and being realistic about units.

NMDGF sets the exact dates each year and enforces a hard cut-off time (by 5 p.m. Mountain Time). For reference, the published 2025–2026 deadlines were Feb 12 (bear/turkey) and Mar 19 (main draw).

Bear and Turkey

Main Big-Game Draw

Before applying for a draw hunt in New Mexico, don’t forget to purchase a non-refundable hunting license.

Tag allocation: what nonresidents are really up against

New Mexico’s draw is governed by statute and NMDGF policy. Minimum 84% of draw licenses go to New Mexico residents. Up to 6% go to nonresidents applying without a New Mexico registered outfitter. Up to 10% go to applicants (resident or nonresident) applying with a New Mexico registered outfitter. Bottom line: booking a guided hunt in New Mexico can dramatically improve your draw chances. Most outfitters don’t collect any payment before the draw results are announced, or will return the deposit if you’re not successful in the draw.

Landowner and private-land hunts: how it actually works in New Mexico

New Mexico has private-land opportunities, but it’s not a broad “landowner preference draw” like some neighboring states.

“Second draw” and leftover tags in New Mexico

New Mexico handles second-chance opportunity in two different ways:

1) A second drawing for deer and elk (via 4th choice):
After deer and elk applications are processed, NMDGF can run a second drawing for remaining deer/elk licenses using only applications that listed a 4th choice. Only pick a 4th choice if you genuinely accept any deer/elk license outcome. 

2) Leftover draw licenses sold later (first-come):
Any draw licenses that still remain can be sold first-come, first-served through the online license system. In recent years, NMDGF has opened sales to residents first for 24 hours, then to nonresidents if tags remain (example: June 25–26, 2025 at 10 a.m.). 

Draw results and E-Tags

Verify specific dates and details on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Online Licensing System.

Nevada

Nevada is built for hunters who can play the long game. Roughly 80% of the state is federally administered, and most big game is allocated through a draw—one reason Nevada keeps a strong trophy reputation without the same volume of nonresident pressure you see elsewhere. 

Nevada’s big-game process has three steps: a Main Draw in spring, a Second Draw in mid-June, and then a First-Come, First-Served sale for any tags still remaining after returns. 

Big Game Main Draw

This is the primary application window for Nevada big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep, goat, bear, moose, and special tags such as Silver State / Partnership in Wildlife). 

For reference, in 2024 Nevada big game main draw opened on March 25, with the deadline on May 8, and in 2025 the dates were March 24, with the deadline on May 7. 

Big Game Second Draw

If tags remain (or are returned without an eligible alternate), Nevada runs a Second Draw that is open regardless of residency. 

First-Come, First-Served

After the Second Draw and tag returns, Nevada may sell any remaining tags first-come, first-served, generally early- to mid-July. 

Bonus points and what nonresidents should know

Oregon

Oregon offers real opportunity between the Coast Range, Cascades, and high desert—but for most nonresident (and many resident) big-game hunts, including black bear, deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and mountain goat, the door is the controlled hunt draw. The good news is that Oregon’s key deadlines are simple and consistent year to year.

Spring Bear

Oregon’s spring bear season is controlled hunt only.

Controlled Hunts: Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat

For Oregon’s main big-game controlled hunts, the application deadline is a standing annual rule: 

Preference points and Point Saver 

Oregon uses a preference point system for many controlled hunts. If you don’t plan to chase a controlled tag this year, Oregon’s Point Saver lets you gain (and keep) preference points while still hunting general seasons if you want.

If you’re not applying in the draw, preference points can be purchased:

You must have an adult hunting license to purchase points. 

Leftover tags in Oregon

Oregon sells leftover controlled-hunt tags first-come, first-served.

If you were selected for a controlled hunt or already purchased a tag (general or controlled), you may not be eligible to participate until a later release window (ODFW commonly lists July 3 at 10:00 a.m. for full eligibility). Oregon also notes leftover sales can differ by series (for example, leftover bear timing can be listed separately in ODFW guidance). 

Utah

Utah packs a lot of hunting country into one state—high peaks, desert basins, big timber pockets, and a huge footprint of public land. The Rocky Mountain elk is Utah’s official state animal, and it’s also the species that gets most nonresidents thinking about the Beehive State draw

Utah runs separate application windows for big game, antlerless, and turkey. Applications typically close at 11 p.m. Mountain Time on the final day, so don’t leave it to the last minute. 

Big Game Hunts

For the 2026 hunts (2026–2027 season), UDWR had not yet published the final draw dates for big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep, goat, moose and bison) at the time of writing. Utah’s pattern is consistently late March through late April. 

Expected (based on the 2025 UDWR schedule):

License requirement: You must have a valid Utah hunting or combination license to apply (you can buy it during the application process).

Antlerless Hunts

Antlerless permits, for deer and elk, as well as doe pronghorn and ewe sheep, are typically handled in an early-June draw. 

Expected (based on the 2025 UDWR schedule):

Spring Limited-Entry Turkey

Utah’s spring limited-entry turkey dates are already official:

If you don’t draw limited-entry, Utah’s general spring turkey permits aren’t capped (one permit per hunter) and go on sale March 10, 2026 at 8 a.m. MDT, which gives nonresidents a straightforward Plan B. 

Bonus and Preference Points 

Utah uses both bonus points (for many limited-entry/once-in-a-lifetime species) and preference points (for certain opportunity-style draws). Even if you aren’t hunting this year, you can apply for points during the big game application—and UDWR also provides a second chance during the antlerless window if you miss the first deadline.

OTC and leftover permit reality in Utah

Utah isn’t a “true OTC” state for most coveted big game the way some neighbors are. However, some permits may remain after the drawing, and UDWR runs scheduled sales in July for remaining permits (and certain permit types). Treat these as a bonus opportunity, not your primary plan. 

Learn more about hunting in Utah from our blog.

Wyoming 

Wyoming’s biggest advantage is simple: huge country and serious big game: bear, deer, elk, moose, pronghorn and more. The trade-off is timing—many of the most important applications happen early in the year, and missing a deadline can set you back a full season.

Here are the official WGFD application windows and key dates for 2026 (covering the 2026–2027 hunting season cycle):

Spring Turkey

Elk (Nonresident)

Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat

Bison

Deer and Antelope

Fall Turkey and Sandhill Crane

Leftover licenses and second chances

Wyoming typically runs a leftover drawing after the initial draws for licenses that remain available.

If any licenses remain after the leftover process, WGFD posts the availability details and sales timing on its leftover-license resources.

Preference points: don’t let them lapse

Wyoming’s preference point system is a long game—and consistency matters.

Wyoming Super Tag raffle (a real shortcut)

The Wyoming Super Tag raffle is a separate pathway from the regular draws. It awards a small number of winners the opportunity to purchase licenses for iconic Wyoming species (species list varies by the raffle offering). 

Wilderness, Limited Draw, and Bipolar Weather: What you need to know about hunting in Wyoming

More on hunting in United States

Moose Hunting in the Lower 48: Problems and Opportunities

For generations, the dream destinations for moose hunters have been Alaska and the Yukon, where the Alaska-Yukon moose grows antlers that can stretch six feet wide. Russia’s Kamchatka and the Pacific coast of Siberia produce equally massive bulls, while the Canadian provinces offer easier logistics and more affordable hunts. Across the Atlantic, Fennoscandia (Norway, Sweden and Finland) holds the densest moose herds in the world, and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) provide some of the best bargains.

Yet hunters don’t always need to cross borders or oceans to chase this giant of the deer family. The Lower 48 has quietly built its own portfolio of moose opportunities. From Maine’s vast North Woods to the Rockies of Idaho and Colorado, and now even Nevada—which in 2025 will hold its first regulated moose season—there are more chances than ever to draw a tag close to home. The moose may be smaller here, and the tags harder to draw, but the adventure, challenge, and satisfaction are every bit as real. CONTINUE READING

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