A state-by-state look at every application draw deadline, point purchase period, and tag sale date to keep you organized and ensure you never miss a chance to pick up a tag
App Open Date |
APP DEADLINE DATE |
Approved or Tentative Dates |
State |
Draw/Points/OTC/Leftover |
Species/Item |
November 3, 2025 |
-- |
Approved |
Arizona |
OTC |
2026 Season Arizona Nonresident OTC Deer Tags Go On Sale |
October 28, 2025 |
November 15, 2025 |
Approved |
Utah |
Draw |
2026 Utah Resident Only Sportsman Permit Application |
July 1, 2025 |
November 30, 2025 |
Approved |
Oregon |
Points Only |
2025 Oregon Points Only Purchase Deadline |
December 5, 2025 |
December 15, 2025 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho 2026 First Application Period For Nonresident General Season Deer & Elk Draw Plus DAV |
November 3, 2025 |
December 10, 2025 |
Approved |
Nebraska |
Draw |
Nebraska Mountain Lion Application Deadline |
September 15, 2025 |
December 15, 2025 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
Points Only |
2025 South Dakota Points Purchase Deadline |
November 1, 2025 |
December 15, 2025 |
Approved |
Alaska |
Draw |
Alaska All Species Application Deadline |
December 16, 2025 |
December 30, 2025 |
Approved |
Utah |
Draw |
Utah Turkey Application Deadline |
July 1, 2025 |
December 31, 2025 |
Approved |
Montana |
Points Only |
2025 Montana Nonresident Preference Point Purchase Deadline |
-- |
January 20, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Tag Purchase |
Idaho First Application Period To Claim Awarded Nonresident General Season Tags Deadline |
January 1, 2026 |
January 25, 2026 |
Approved |
Iowa |
Draw |
Iowa Nonresident Spring Turkey Application Deadline |
January 12, 2026 |
January 26, 2026 |
Approved |
Nevada |
Draw |
Nevada Spring Turkey Application Deadline |
February 14, 2025 |
February 2, 2026 |
Approved |
Wyoming |
Super Tag |
Wyoming Super Tag, Super Tag Trifecta Purchase Deadline |
January 2, 2026 |
February 2, 2026 |
Approved |
Wyoming |
Draw |
Wyoming Nonresident Elk Application Deadline |
January 12, 2026 |
February 2, 2026 |
Approved |
Nevada |
Point Only |
Nevada Bonus Point Only Purchase Deadline For Spring Turkey |
January 1, 2026 |
February 3, 2026 |
Approved |
Colorado |
Draw |
Colorado Spring Turkey Application Deadline |
January 13, 2026 |
February 3, 2026 |
Approved |
Arizona |
Draw |
Arizona Elk, Antelope Application Deadline |
December 10, 2025 |
February 10, 2026 |
Approved |
Oregon |
Draw |
Oregon Black Bear Application Deadline |
January 18, 2026 |
February 11, 2026 |
Approved |
New Mexico |
Draw |
New Mexico Black Bear, Turkey Application Deadline |
February 5, 2026 |
February 15, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho 2026 Second Application Period For Nonresident General Season Deer & Elk Draw |
January 15, 2026 |
February 15, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho Black Bear (Controlled) Application Deadline |
February 10, 2026 |
February 24, 2026 |
Approved |
Utah |
Draw |
Utah Black Bear Application Deadline |
February 1, 2026 |
March 1, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho Spring Turkey Controlled Hunt Application Deadline |
February 9, 2026 |
March 9, 2026 |
Approved |
Nevada |
Draw |
Nevada Nonresident Mule Deer Guided Draw Application Deadline |
March 15, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Oregon |
Leftover |
Oregon Leftover Black Bear Controlled Hunt Tags Available |
NA |
March 20, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Tag Purchase |
Idaho Second Application Period and all DAV tags Deadline To Claim Awarded Tags |
January 14, 2026 |
March 18, 2026 |
Approved |
New Mexico |
Draw |
New Mexico All Species Application Deadline |
March 4, 2026 |
March 25, 2026 |
Approved |
North Dakota |
Draw |
North Dakota Bighorn Sheep, Elk, And Moose Application Deadline |
February 1, 2026 |
March 31, 2026 |
Approved |
Virginia |
Draw |
Virginia Elk Application Deadline |
December 1, 2025 |
March 31, 2026 |
Approved |
Washington |
Draw |
Washington Multiple-Season Hunting Application Deadline |
March 1, 2026 |
April 1, 2026 |
Approved |
Montana |
Draw |
Montana Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk Application Deadline |
March 1, 2026 |
April 7, 2026 |
Approved |
Colorado |
Draw |
Colorado All Species Application Deadline |
March 18, 2026 |
April 14, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
Draw |
South Dakota Deer Season - East River Special Buck Application Deadline |
March 19, 2026 |
April 14, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
Draw |
South Dakota Deer Season - West River Special Buck Application Deadline |
April 23, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Idaho |
OTC |
1st Idaho Nonresident Elk, Deer Returned Leftover Sale Date |
March 19, 2026 |
April 23, 2026 |
Approved |
Utah |
Draw |
Utah All Species Application Deadline |
April 1, 2026 |
April 24, 2026 |
Approved |
Kansas |
Draw |
Kansas Nonresident Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer Application Deadline |
August 1, 2025 |
April 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Kentucky |
Draw |
Kentucky Elk Application Deadline |
January 2, 2026 |
April 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Wyoming |
Draw |
Wyoming Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat Application Deadline |
March 2, 2026 |
April 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Wyoming |
Draw |
Wyoming Bison Application Deadline |
April 1, 2026 |
April 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho Controlled Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat Application Deadline |
March 1, 2026 |
May 1, 2026 |
Approved |
Montana |
Draw |
Montana Moose, Rocky Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bison Application Deadline |
March 23, 2026 |
May 13, 2026 |
Approved |
Nevada |
Draw |
Nevada Main Draw All Species Application Deadline |
April 15, 2026 |
May 15, 2026 |
Approved |
North Dakota |
Draw |
North Dakota Nonresident Archery Deer Application Deadline |
December 10, 2025 |
May 15, 2026 |
Approved |
Oregon |
Draw |
Oregon All Species Application Deadline |
April 22, 2026 |
May 19, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
Draw |
South Dakota Bighorn Sheep - Black Hills, Bighorn Sheep - Custer State Park, Elk Seasons, Application Deadline |
April 20, 2026 |
May 20, 2026 |
Approved |
Washington |
Draw |
Washington All Species Application Deadline |
May 1, 2026 |
May 29, 2026 |
Approved |
Colorado |
Draw |
Colorado Fall Turkey Application Deadline |
-- |
May 31, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Super Tag |
Idaho First Super Hunt Draw Deadline |
January 12, 2026 |
May 31, 2026 |
Approved |
Nebraska |
OTC |
Nebraska Spring Turkey Purchase Deadline (Until Sold out For Nonresidents) |
March 1, 2026 |
June 1, 2026 |
Approved |
Montana |
Draw |
Montana Antelope, Deer B, Elk B, Antelope B Application Deadline |
May 1, 2026 |
June 1, 2026 |
Approved |
Montana |
Alternate |
Montana Nonresident Combination License Alternate List Signup Deadline |
January 2, 2026 |
June 1, 2026 |
Approved |
Wyoming |
Draw |
Wyoming Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Antelope, Resident Elk, Turkey (Fall) Application Deadline |
April 15, 2026 |
June 2, 2026 |
Approved |
California |
Draw |
California All Species Application Deadline |
-- |
June 2, 2026 |
Approved |
Arizona |
Draw |
Arizona Mule Deer, Coues Deer, Rocky Bighorn Sheep, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Bison Application Deadline |
May 6, 2026 |
June 3, 2026 |
Approved |
North Dakota |
Draw |
North Dakota Deer Application Deadline |
May 1, 2026 |
June 5, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho Controlled Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope, Fall Black Bear, Antlerless Application Deadline |
May 2, 2026 |
June 7, 2026 |
Approved |
Iowa |
Draw |
Iowa Whitetail Deer Application Deadline |
May 13, 2026 |
June 9, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
Draw |
South Dakota Nonresident Public/Private Land Archery Deer Application Deadline |
May 12, 2026 |
June 12, 2026 |
Approved |
Kansas |
Draw |
Kansas Resident Deer, Resident Elk And Antelope Application Deadline |
June 1, 2026 |
June 12, 2026 |
Approved |
Nebraska |
Draw |
Nebraska Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Antelope, Resident Elk Application Deadline |
June 8, 2026 |
June 15, 2026 |
Approved |
Nevada |
Draw |
Nevada Big Game Second Draw Plus Points Purchase For All Species Application Deadline |
June 3, 2026 |
June 23, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
Draw |
South Dakota Deer Season - Muzzleloader, Black Hills, East River, West River, Custer State Park, National Wildlife Refuge, Application Deadline Application Deadline |
June 9, 2026 |
June 23, 2026 |
Approved |
Utah |
Draw |
Utah Antlerless Elk, Doe Antelope, Antlerless Mule Deer, Cow Moose & Ewe California Bighorn PLUS 2nd Chance To Purchase Points Application Deadline |
June 15, 2026 |
June 25, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho Second Controlled Hunt Drawing For Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat Application Deadline |
June 25, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Idaho |
OTC |
2nd Idaho Nonresident Elk, Deer Returned Leftover Sale Date |
June 22, 2026 |
June 26, 2026 |
Approved |
Wyoming |
Leftover Draw |
Wyoming Leftover Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope Application Deadline |
June 18, 2026 |
June 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Colorado |
Draw |
Colorado Secondary Draw: Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Antelope, Antlerless Application Deadline |
March 1, 2026 |
June 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Montana |
Super Tag |
Montana Super Tag Application Deadline |
July 1, 2026 |
NA |
Tentative |
New Mexico |
OTC |
New Mexico licenses for javelina, fall turkey, private-land deer, private-land antelope, private-land Barbary sheep, secondary management zone private-land elk available |
July 1, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Oregon |
Leftover |
Oregon Leftover Controlled Hunt Tags Available |
January 2, 2026 |
July 2, 2026 |
Approved |
Nebraska |
Super Tag |
Nebraska Super Tag And Multi-Species Combo Application Deadline |
June 23, 2026 |
July 7, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
Draw |
South Dakota Antelope Firearms, Special, Custer State Park, & Nonresident Public/Private Land Archery Application Deadline |
July 7, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Utah |
General |
Utah General Season Sale Date For Archery Elk Permits & Remaining Limited Entry & Remaining General Deer (Also Youth archery deer) & Youth General Season Elk Available |
July 8, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Nebraska |
OTC |
Nebraska Residents May Buy Any Limited Permits |
July 8, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Idaho |
General |
Idaho Resident Capped Elk Zone Tags Available For Purchase (Excluding Sawtooth) |
April 13, 2026 |
July 8, 2026 |
Approved |
Washington |
Super Tag Raffle |
Washington Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Rafe Ticket Postmark Deadline |
July 9, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Utah |
General |
Utah General Season Sale Date Any Bull Elk Permits Available |
July 10, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Idaho |
General |
Idaho Resident: Sawtooth Elk Zone Tags Available For Purchase (Half At Vendor, Half Online) |
May 1, 2026 |
July 12, 2026 |
Approved |
Pennsylvania |
Draw |
Pennsylvania Elk Application Deadline |
June 15, 2026 |
July 15, 2026 |
Approved |
Montana |
Leftover |
Montana Surplus Deer Permit, Elk Permit, Deer B License, Elk B License Sign-Up Deadline |
April 13, 2026 |
July 15, 2026 |
Approved |
Washington |
Super Tag Raffle |
Washington Raffle Hunt Ticket Purchase/Application Deadline |
July 16, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Wyoming |
Leftover |
Wyoming Leftover (First Come, First Served) Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope Tag Purchase Available |
July 16, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Wyoming |
OTC |
Wyoming Resident OTC Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk Licenses Purchase Available |
July 16, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Utah |
General |
Utah General Season Sale Date Spike Bull Elk Permits Available |
July 8, 2026 |
NA |
Tentative |
Nevada |
Leftover |
Nevada First Come, First Served Tag Purchase Date Now Available |
July 6, 2026 |
July 20, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
Draw |
South Dakota Deer Season - Municipal Archery - Application Deadline |
July 22, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Nebraska |
Leftover |
Nebraska Nonresidents May Buy Any Limited Permits |
July 28, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Utah |
Antlerless |
Utah All Antlerless Permits Sale Date (If Available) |
April 20, 2026 |
August 7, 2026 |
Approved |
Nebraska |
Draw |
Nebraska Resident Bighorn Sheep Application Deadline |
August 4, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Colorado |
OTC/Leftover |
Colorado OTC & Leftover Limited, Unlimited Licenses Available (Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope) & Add-On Black Bear Licenses |
July 23, 2026 |
August 6, 2026 |
Tentative |
South Dakota |
Draw |
South Dakota Custer State Park Bison Trophy And Non-Trophy Application Deadline |
August 5, 2026 |
Until Close Of Season |
Approved |
Nebraska |
OTC |
Nebraska Any Remaining Permit Sale Date |
-- |
August 5, 2026 |
Tentative |
North Dakota |
Draw |
North Dakota Antelope Application Deadline |
August 6, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Idaho |
OTC |
Idaho Third Sale: Nonresident General Season Elk, Deer Returned Leftover Sale Date, Plus Now Residents Can Purchase Returned Tags |
June 1, 2026 |
August 10, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Super Tag |
Idaho Second Super Hunt Application Deadline |
August 5, 2026 |
August 15, 2026 |
Approved |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho 2nd Controlled Draw Application Deadline |
September 17, 2026 |
NA |
Approved |
Idaho |
OTC |
Idaho Fourth Sale: Nonresident General Season Elk, Deer Returned Leftover Sale Date |
July 1, 2026 |
September 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Montana |
Points |
2026 Montana Bonus Points Only Purchase Deadline |
-- |
October 6, 2026 |
Tentative |
Arizona |
Draw |
Arizona Spring Bison, Turkey, And Javelina Application Deadline |
July 22, 2026 |
October 31, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
OTC |
South Dakota Antelope Season - Archery Application Deadline |
July 1, 2026 |
November 2, 2026 |
Approved |
Wyoming |
Points Only |
2026 Wyoming Preference Point Purchase Deadline |
November 2, 2026 |
NA |
Tentative |
Arizona |
OTC |
2027 Season Arizona Nonresident OTC Archery Deer Tags Go On Sale |
October 27, 2026 |
November 17, 2026 |
Tentative |
Utah |
Draw |
2027 Utah Resident Only Sportsman Permit Application |
August 10, 2026 |
November 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Nebraska |
OTC |
Nebraska Fall Turkey Purchase Deadline (Until Sold out For Nonresidents) |
July 1, 2026 |
November 30, 2026 |
Approved |
Oregon |
Points Only |
2026 Oregon Points Only Purchase Deadline |
December 5, 2026 |
December 15, 2026 |
Tentative |
Idaho |
Draw |
Idaho 2027 First Application Period For Nonresident General Season Deer & Elk Draw Plus DAV |
September 15, 2026 |
December 15, 2026 |
Tentative |
South Dakota |
Points Only |
2026 South Dakota Preference Point Purchase Deadline |
November 1, 2026 |
December 15, 2026 |
Tentative |
Alaska |
Draw |
2027 Alaska All Species Application Deadline |
December 3, 2025 |
December 25, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
OTC |
2026 South Dakota Mountain Lion Season - Black Hills Application Deadline |
December 3, 2025 |
December 25, 2026 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
OTC |
2026 South Dakota Mountain Lion Season - Statewide Application Deadline |
December 16, 2026 |
December 30, 2026 |
Tentative |
Utah |
Draw |
2027 Utah Turkey (Limited Entry) Application Deadline |
July 1, 2026 |
December 31, 2026 |
Approved |
Montana |
Points Only |
2026 Montana Nonresident Preference Point Purchase Deadline |
Jun 17, 2026 |
January 1, 2027 |
Approved |
South Dakota |
OTC |
South Dakota Deer Season - Archery Application Deadline |
February 5, 2027 |
February 15, 2027 |
Tentative |
Idaho |
Draw |
2027 Idaho Second Application Period For Nonresident General Season Deer & Elk Draw |
December 1, 2026 |
March 31, 2027 |
Approved |
Washington |
Draw |
2027 Washington Multiple Season Hunting Application Deadline |
App Open Date | APP DEADLINE DATE | Approved or Tentative Dates | State | Draw/Points/OTC/Leftover | Species/Item |
November 3, 2025 | -- | Approved | Arizona | OTC | 2026 Season Arizona Nonresident OTC Deer Tags Go On Sale |
October 28, 2025 | November 15, 2025 | Approved | Utah | Draw | 2026 Utah Resident Only Sportsman Permit Application |
July 1, 2025 | November 30, 2025 | Approved | Oregon | Points Only | 2025 Oregon Points Only Purchase Deadline |
December 5, 2025 | December 15, 2025 | Approved | Idaho | Draw | Idaho 2026 First Application Period For Nonresident General Season Deer & Elk Draw Plus DAV |
November 3, 2025 | December 10, 2025 | Approved | Nebraska | Draw | Nebraska Mountain Lion Application Deadline |
September 15, 2025 | December 15, 2025 | Approved | South Dakota | Points Only | 2025 South Dakota Points Purchase Deadline |
November 1, 2025 | December 15, 2025 | Approved | Alaska | Draw | Alaska All Species Application Deadline |
December 16, 2025 | December 30, 2025 | Approved | Utah | Draw | Utah Turkey Application Deadline |
July 1, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | Approved | Montana | Points Only | 2025 Montana Nonresident Preference Point Purchase Deadline |
-- | January 20, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Tag Purchase | Idaho First Application Period To Claim Awarded Nonresident General Season Tags Deadline |
January 1, 2026 | January 25, 2026 | Approved | Iowa | Draw | Iowa Nonresident Spring Turkey Application Deadline |
January 12, 2026 | January 26, 2026 | Approved | Nevada | Draw | Nevada Spring Turkey Application Deadline |
February 14, 2025 | February 2, 2026 | Approved | Wyoming | Super Tag | Wyoming Super Tag, Super Tag Trifecta Purchase Deadline |
January 2, 2026 | February 2, 2026 | Approved | Wyoming | Draw | Wyoming Nonresident Elk Application Deadline |
January 12, 2026 | February 2, 2026 | Approved | Nevada | Point Only | Nevada Bonus Point Only Purchase Deadline For Spring Turkey |
January 1, 2026 | February 3, 2026 | Approved | Colorado | Draw | Colorado Spring Turkey Application Deadline |
January 13, 2026 | February 3, 2026 | Approved | Arizona | Draw | Arizona Elk, Antelope Application Deadline |
December 10, 2025 | February 10, 2026 | Approved | Oregon | Draw | Oregon Black Bear Application Deadline |
January 18, 2026 | February 11, 2026 | Approved | New Mexico | Draw | New Mexico Black Bear, Turkey Application Deadline |
February 5, 2026 | February 15, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Draw | Idaho 2026 Second Application Period For Nonresident General Season Deer & Elk Draw |
January 15, 2026 | February 15, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Draw | Idaho Black Bear (Controlled) Application Deadline |
February 10, 2026 | February 24, 2026 | Approved | Utah | Draw | Utah Black Bear Application Deadline |
February 1, 2026 | March 1, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Draw | Idaho Spring Turkey Controlled Hunt Application Deadline |
February 9, 2026 | March 9, 2026 | Approved | Nevada | Draw | Nevada Nonresident Mule Deer Guided Draw Application Deadline |
March 15, 2026 | NA | Approved | Oregon | Leftover | Oregon Leftover Black Bear Controlled Hunt Tags Available |
NA | March 20, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Tag Purchase | Idaho Second Application Period and all DAV tags Deadline To Claim Awarded Tags |
January 14, 2026 | March 18, 2026 | Approved | New Mexico | Draw | New Mexico All Species Application Deadline |
March 4, 2026 | March 25, 2026 | Approved | North Dakota | Draw | North Dakota Bighorn Sheep, Elk, And Moose Application Deadline |
February 1, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | Approved | Virginia | Draw | Virginia Elk Application Deadline |
December 1, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | Approved | Washington | Draw | Washington Multiple-Season Hunting Application Deadline |
March 1, 2026 | April 1, 2026 | Approved | Montana | Draw | Montana Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk Application Deadline |
March 1, 2026 | April 7, 2026 | Approved | Colorado | Draw | Colorado All Species Application Deadline |
March 18, 2026 | April 14, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | Draw | South Dakota Deer Season - East River Special Buck Application Deadline |
March 19, 2026 | April 14, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | Draw | South Dakota Deer Season - West River Special Buck Application Deadline |
April 23, 2026 | NA | Approved | Idaho | OTC | 1st Idaho Nonresident Elk, Deer Returned Leftover Sale Date |
March 19, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | Approved | Utah | Draw | Utah All Species Application Deadline |
April 1, 2026 | April 24, 2026 | Approved | Kansas | Draw | Kansas Nonresident Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer Application Deadline |
August 1, 2025 | April 30, 2026 | Approved | Kentucky | Draw | Kentucky Elk Application Deadline |
January 2, 2026 | April 30, 2026 | Approved | Wyoming | Draw | Wyoming Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat Application Deadline |
March 2, 2026 | April 30, 2026 | Approved | Wyoming | Draw | Wyoming Bison Application Deadline |
April 1, 2026 | April 30, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Draw | Idaho Controlled Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat Application Deadline |
March 1, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | Approved | Montana | Draw | Montana Moose, Rocky Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bison Application Deadline |
March 23, 2026 | May 13, 2026 | Approved | Nevada | Draw | Nevada Main Draw All Species Application Deadline |
April 15, 2026 | May 15, 2026 | Approved | North Dakota | Draw | North Dakota Nonresident Archery Deer Application Deadline |
December 10, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Approved | Oregon | Draw | Oregon All Species Application Deadline |
April 22, 2026 | May 19, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | Draw | South Dakota Bighorn Sheep - Black Hills, Bighorn Sheep - Custer State Park, Elk Seasons, Application Deadline |
April 20, 2026 | May 20, 2026 | Approved | Washington | Draw | Washington All Species Application Deadline |
May 1, 2026 | May 29, 2026 | Approved | Colorado | Draw | Colorado Fall Turkey Application Deadline |
-- | May 31, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Super Tag | Idaho First Super Hunt Draw Deadline |
January 12, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | Approved | Nebraska | OTC | Nebraska Spring Turkey Purchase Deadline (Until Sold out For Nonresidents) |
March 1, 2026 | June 1, 2026 | Approved | Montana | Draw | Montana Antelope, Deer B, Elk B, Antelope B Application Deadline |
May 1, 2026 | June 1, 2026 | Approved | Montana | Alternate | Montana Nonresident Combination License Alternate List Signup Deadline |
January 2, 2026 | June 1, 2026 | Approved | Wyoming | Draw | Wyoming Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Antelope, Resident Elk, Turkey (Fall) Application Deadline |
April 15, 2026 | June 2, 2026 | Approved | California | Draw | California All Species Application Deadline |
-- | June 2, 2026 | Approved | Arizona | Draw | Arizona Mule Deer, Coues Deer, Rocky Bighorn Sheep, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Bison Application Deadline |
May 6, 2026 | June 3, 2026 | Approved | North Dakota | Draw | North Dakota Deer Application Deadline |
May 1, 2026 | June 5, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Draw | Idaho Controlled Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope, Fall Black Bear, Antlerless Application Deadline |
May 2, 2026 | June 7, 2026 | Approved | Iowa | Draw | Iowa Whitetail Deer Application Deadline |
May 13, 2026 | June 9, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | Draw | South Dakota Nonresident Public/Private Land Archery Deer Application Deadline |
May 12, 2026 | June 12, 2026 | Approved | Kansas | Draw | Kansas Resident Deer, Resident Elk And Antelope Application Deadline |
June 1, 2026 | June 12, 2026 | Approved | Nebraska | Draw | Nebraska Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Antelope, Resident Elk Application Deadline |
June 8, 2026 | June 15, 2026 | Approved | Nevada | Draw | Nevada Big Game Second Draw Plus Points Purchase For All Species Application Deadline |
June 3, 2026 | June 23, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | Draw | South Dakota Deer Season - Muzzleloader, Black Hills, East River, West River, Custer State Park, National Wildlife Refuge, Application Deadline Application Deadline |
June 9, 2026 | June 23, 2026 | Approved | Utah | Draw | Utah Antlerless Elk, Doe Antelope, Antlerless Mule Deer, Cow Moose & Ewe California Bighorn PLUS 2nd Chance To Purchase Points Application Deadline |
June 15, 2026 | June 25, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Draw | Idaho Second Controlled Hunt Drawing For Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat Application Deadline |
June 25, 2026 | NA | Approved | Idaho | OTC | 2nd Idaho Nonresident Elk, Deer Returned Leftover Sale Date |
June 22, 2026 | June 26, 2026 | Approved | Wyoming | Leftover Draw | Wyoming Leftover Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope Application Deadline |
June 18, 2026 | June 30, 2026 | Approved | Colorado | Draw | Colorado Secondary Draw: Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Antelope, Antlerless Application Deadline |
March 1, 2026 | June 30, 2026 | Approved | Montana | Super Tag | Montana Super Tag Application Deadline |
July 1, 2026 | NA | Tentative | New Mexico | OTC | New Mexico licenses for javelina, fall turkey, private-land deer, private-land antelope, private-land Barbary sheep, secondary management zone private-land elk available |
July 1, 2026 | NA | Approved | Oregon | Leftover | Oregon Leftover Controlled Hunt Tags Available |
January 2, 2026 | July 2, 2026 | Approved | Nebraska | Super Tag | Nebraska Super Tag And Multi-Species Combo Application Deadline |
June 23, 2026 | July 7, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | Draw | South Dakota Antelope Firearms, Special, Custer State Park, & Nonresident Public/Private Land Archery Application Deadline |
July 7, 2026 | NA | Approved | Utah | General | Utah General Season Sale Date For Archery Elk Permits & Remaining Limited Entry & Remaining General Deer (Also Youth archery deer) & Youth General Season Elk Available |
July 8, 2026 | NA | Approved | Nebraska | OTC | Nebraska Residents May Buy Any Limited Permits |
July 8, 2026 | NA | Approved | Idaho | General | Idaho Resident Capped Elk Zone Tags Available For Purchase (Excluding Sawtooth) |
April 13, 2026 | July 8, 2026 | Approved | Washington | Super Tag Raffle | Washington Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Rafe Ticket Postmark Deadline |
July 9, 2026 | NA | Approved | Utah | General | Utah General Season Sale Date Any Bull Elk Permits Available |
July 10, 2026 | NA | Approved | Idaho | General | Idaho Resident: Sawtooth Elk Zone Tags Available For Purchase (Half At Vendor, Half Online) |
May 1, 2026 | July 12, 2026 | Approved | Pennsylvania | Draw | Pennsylvania Elk Application Deadline |
June 15, 2026 | July 15, 2026 | Approved | Montana | Leftover | Montana Surplus Deer Permit, Elk Permit, Deer B License, Elk B License Sign-Up Deadline |
April 13, 2026 | July 15, 2026 | Approved | Washington | Super Tag Raffle | Washington Raffle Hunt Ticket Purchase/Application Deadline |
July 16, 2026 | NA | Approved | Wyoming | Leftover | Wyoming Leftover (First Come, First Served) Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope Tag Purchase Available |
July 16, 2026 | NA | Approved | Wyoming | OTC | Wyoming Resident OTC Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk Licenses Purchase Available |
July 16, 2026 | NA | Approved | Utah | General | Utah General Season Sale Date Spike Bull Elk Permits Available |
July 8, 2026 | NA | Tentative | Nevada | Leftover | Nevada First Come, First Served Tag Purchase Date Now Available |
July 6, 2026 | July 20, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | Draw | South Dakota Deer Season - Municipal Archery - Application Deadline |
July 22, 2026 | NA | Approved | Nebraska | Leftover | Nebraska Nonresidents May Buy Any Limited Permits |
July 28, 2026 | NA | Approved | Utah | Antlerless | Utah All Antlerless Permits Sale Date (If Available) |
April 20, 2026 | August 7, 2026 | Approved | Nebraska | Draw | Nebraska Resident Bighorn Sheep Application Deadline |
August 4, 2026 | NA | Approved | Colorado | OTC/Leftover | Colorado OTC & Leftover Limited, Unlimited Licenses Available (Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Antelope) & Add-On Black Bear Licenses |
July 23, 2026 | August 6, 2026 | Tentative | South Dakota | Draw | South Dakota Custer State Park Bison Trophy And Non-Trophy Application Deadline |
August 5, 2026 | Until Close Of Season | Approved | Nebraska | OTC | Nebraska Any Remaining Permit Sale Date |
-- | August 5, 2026 | Tentative | North Dakota | Draw | North Dakota Antelope Application Deadline |
August 6, 2026 | NA | Approved | Idaho | OTC | Idaho Third Sale: Nonresident General Season Elk, Deer Returned Leftover Sale Date, Plus Now Residents Can Purchase Returned Tags |
June 1, 2026 | August 10, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Super Tag | Idaho Second Super Hunt Application Deadline |
August 5, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | Approved | Idaho | Draw | Idaho 2nd Controlled Draw Application Deadline |
September 17, 2026 | NA | Approved | Idaho | OTC | Idaho Fourth Sale: Nonresident General Season Elk, Deer Returned Leftover Sale Date |
July 1, 2026 | September 30, 2026 | Approved | Montana | Points | 2026 Montana Bonus Points Only Purchase Deadline |
-- | October 6, 2026 | Tentative | Arizona | Draw | Arizona Spring Bison, Turkey, And Javelina Application Deadline |
July 22, 2026 | October 31, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | OTC | South Dakota Antelope Season - Archery Application Deadline |
July 1, 2026 | November 2, 2026 | Approved | Wyoming | Points Only | 2026 Wyoming Preference Point Purchase Deadline |
November 2, 2026 | NA | Tentative | Arizona | OTC | 2027 Season Arizona Nonresident OTC Archery Deer Tags Go On Sale |
October 27, 2026 | November 17, 2026 | Tentative | Utah | Draw | 2027 Utah Resident Only Sportsman Permit Application |
August 10, 2026 | November 30, 2026 | Approved | Nebraska | OTC | Nebraska Fall Turkey Purchase Deadline (Until Sold out For Nonresidents) |
July 1, 2026 | November 30, 2026 | Approved | Oregon | Points Only | 2026 Oregon Points Only Purchase Deadline |
December 5, 2026 | December 15, 2026 | Tentative | Idaho | Draw | Idaho 2027 First Application Period For Nonresident General Season Deer & Elk Draw Plus DAV |
September 15, 2026 | December 15, 2026 | Tentative | South Dakota | Points Only | 2026 South Dakota Preference Point Purchase Deadline |
November 1, 2026 | December 15, 2026 | Tentative | Alaska | Draw | 2027 Alaska All Species Application Deadline |
December 3, 2025 | December 25, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | OTC | 2026 South Dakota Mountain Lion Season - Black Hills Application Deadline |
December 3, 2025 | December 25, 2026 | Approved | South Dakota | OTC | 2026 South Dakota Mountain Lion Season - Statewide Application Deadline |
December 16, 2026 | December 30, 2026 | Tentative | Utah | Draw | 2027 Utah Turkey (Limited Entry) Application Deadline |
July 1, 2026 | December 31, 2026 | Approved | Montana | Points Only | 2026 Montana Nonresident Preference Point Purchase Deadline |
Jun 17, 2026 | January 1, 2027 | Approved | South Dakota | OTC | South Dakota Deer Season - Archery Application Deadline |
February 5, 2027 | February 15, 2027 | Tentative | Idaho | Draw | 2027 Idaho Second Application Period For Nonresident General Season Deer & Elk Draw |
December 1, 2026 | March 31, 2027 | Approved | Washington | Draw | 2027 Washington Multiple Season Hunting Application Deadline |
We're already knocking on the door for the 2026 application season! Researching for hunts on Insider is one of my favorite times of the year. For me, the next seven months will be spent diving into data, research papers, books, and putting in homework on maps of potential areas I'd love to check out.
What follows will be an extremely early look at all the upcoming 2026 Western hunting application open dates, deadlines, tag purchase dates, and points-only purchase deadlines. Note: again, like every year, this early version is filled with mainly “tentative” dates at this time. I like to explain this early look in terms of sports analysts and their way too early rankings of sports teams. Only this is hunting, which is way more important!
This article will be updated very frequently once states release additional concrete dates, and more opportunities will be added once final regulations are published for each state.
Dates already approved for 2026 are marked "Approved," and tentative dates are marked "Tentative."
Since most of these dates are still tentative, and this list takes a long time to compile, I could have just given rough dates in terms of "early March" for a state's deadline... but that's not the way I do things. So, what you see here is the best of my ability to give you the most accurate tentative dates so you can start to plan when you need to have your hunt research completed and applications sent in.
Again, updates to the application deadline calendar in the table below will be made frequently as states release finalized information.
The tables below show the approved and tentative 2026 state application open dates and deadlines for hunting opportunities. Currently, they are based on previous years' deadlines by looking at what day of the week they are typically released or even the exact calendar date they tend to follow. And sometimes, unfortunately, there is no pattern, so I'm left to analyze prior-year deadlines or even go off some of the deadlines for last year. But I believe these deadlines are very close to what they will be until each state lists its approved regulations.
If you'd like to see a different view of this application dates and deadline table, be sure to check out our "Dates & Deadlines" section of GOHUNT. That page has all of this information in a way that you can sort by state or species. Also, this is a much better view if you're on a mobile device and reading this article. And you can even access the mobile-friendly application deadline view on the GOHUNT mobile app.
Throughout GOHUNT Insider, we have research tools that will enable you to find the perfect hunt quickly and easily. Whether you’re looking for your first Western hunt or want to see the best way to use your points, Insider is your ticket to unlocking the West.
Each research tool on GOHUNT will allow you to find a hunting opportunity. Combining Draw Odds with Filtering, plus our Application Strategy articles and GOHUNT's 3D maps, those tools are everything you need to gain an edge and become more successful.
Don't forget that all of our hunting research tools are also available on the GOHUNT mobile app under the "Research" tab.
If you want more information about each state, dive into our State and Species Profiles. Below are links to each State Profile.
Below are links to look up all of your bonus points and preference points in every state.
You can also see the important Western hunting deadlines on our Dates and Deadlines page. This view I highly recommend checking out as it allows you to sort and filter deadlines by State and/or Species. I keep that page updated with all the latest dates, deadlines, and essential Insider information.
If you're new to GOHUNT, we release state-by-state Insider Application Strategy Articles three to four weeks before each state deadline. We feel this is the perfect amount of time for you to check out the new 2026 regulations, unit boundary changes, herd dieoff information, and tag allocation changes before you try to draw your dream tag. Remember that you can always research for your upcoming season by utilizing Filtering, Draw Odds, and GOHUNT Maps well before we release each state's application strategy article.
Application season can be very overwhelming, and we try to keep it simple with an easy-to-follow schedule of article release dates. Some of the Application Strategy articles are released within a small window, but that is done to ensure we are providing the best possible information to our users. Different states release their regulations and herd information at tight windows to the application deadline. We always strive to release these articles with all the information possible.
Best of luck in the upcoming 2026 draws! This article has been updated to reflect the 2026 deadlines.
