'Thought I saw this on here, but can't find it. I got an email that the TPWD draw hunts are now open for applications. I did my usual ones. Y'all watch for me on that bighorn hunt this year.

I just got on a lease with some limited mule deer opportunities, but I didn't want to lose my points, so I put in for mule deer again. I'll probably draw this year. If I remember correctly, you don't use your license tag for a drawn hunt kill, do you?

I don't know on the tag. I don't think you do but could be wrong.

I'm 0-9 this year... What's a couple more donations lol

I've gone on a couple deer hunts and as I recall my tags were never used, the game manager tagged the deer.

I sure plan on entering...

Talking ta some of guys working at OSBWMA years ago during deer archery only hunts, was asked why didn't do gun draw hunts, was told they give tag's... So unless they changed things ya. Ya dont use your tags... asked about doing volenteer work their, ya have ta sign bunch of papers & want life history... never did good on tests... Will work, got the aches & pains ta prove it... Edit: it doesnt show it below, but am postaddic

On pulling the appropriate tag from your License for a kill on the Lottery Hunts...the answer is NO, your TX Hunting License & Tags remain intact and Lottery Hunt Harvested Critters are not charged against the License.

TPW issues you a seperate Permit Letter, and tags the harvested critter with a metal strip indicating to a TX GW or Processor the origin of the harvested critter...and I assume the same holds for out of state Lottery Hunt participants too. BHDT lots of times and never got a cross eyed look from anyone.
Ron

Time for my annual donation to TPWD!

I haven't been drawn for hunt in a few years. Hope this year I get selected.

It still $5.00 for every entry ? Every little bit helps, been getting the anual permit since it was $40.00, several years back it went ta $48.00 still cheap for what ya get.. Makes hunting afordable for those, low income hunters, tryen ta keep the family feed...

So It's worth actually applying? I'm just looking at some right now. Do you see game? Is there actually a chance of killing something? It's $3 for most and $10 for some.

Absolutely. Go for it. In my limited experience, if you hunt hard, slow, and patiently, you will see game. And the state employee that's in charge will do everything possible to ensure you have a good experience. This is exceedingly rare in a government employee. It may take a few years, but apply.

Cool. I should have started applying last year. Youth hunts are only till age 16, and I'm turning that later this year!

You'll go far my son. Keep applying. And as soon as you can, start applying in the western mountain states, MT, WY, UT, CO, etc.

Just applied for 10 of the youth hunts. Lol.
Going to apply for some more either later or tomorrow.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I want to. Isn't it super expensive, gear wise and all? I'd rather just hunt in TX.
Then again, the way the draw works over there, I'll probably be a successful lawyer by the time my number is up, and I won't have to worry about that! Lol.

Draw hunts; the hunter does not use his or her tags. Tags are issued by the site. They generally take data, weight, age etc. then provide a tag for the harvested animal. All harvest must be taken the check station for that reason. In most cases the area is shut down to other hunters during the draw hunts.

Its a draw system, I know a guy who applied for 15 and got none, another guy applied for 12 and gets picked for 3...go figure.

I've got 12 pts for Exotics and 10 points for gun deer either sex and I think about 15 for Pronghorn. Some are luckier than others!!!

Hey, thanks for the pick-me-up.

Is it really a random draw? Are you saying if I've never applied before, I could get picked? What is this point system some speak of and how does it work?

Yes, you could get picked. Link>> Loyalty Points

Josh and I entered 28 total drawings. My history with youth was excellent, we have been drawn on one general hunt in last 7 years.

How far in advance are people notified if they have been "drawn?"

You have to pay for the permit, they normally only allow 10-14 days for that, if you don't pay the permit fee that draw goes back into the pool for a second draw, in most cases. Hunts your selected for may 4-8 weeks out when your selected, but again, pay for that permit in the time allowed, TPWD does offer any allowances paying for the permit.

I'm so disgusted with the number of hunts and permits cut this year I may just not apply!!!
Yall have fun with it!!!