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Hunting License Application Service #7754188 02/23/20 04:13 PM
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Rangerbazz Offline OP
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I am looking to use an application service for the best units across the country for Elk and Mule Deer Hunting. Have any of you used a service? I have looked at WTA, Epic Outdoors and Huntinfool. Anyone have any experience with these or others? Would love some recommendations from people that have good experiences with these services. Thanks!


Keith Bazzell
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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7754228 02/23/20 05:06 PM
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syncerus Online Content
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Tag ... this should be interesting.


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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7754242 02/23/20 05:27 PM
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QMC SW/EXW Offline
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Wouldn't waste my time with them. Everything is online these day and the process isn't difficult in any of the states. Besides most of them try to pressure you into booking with a guide service they get kickbacks from. Had a buddy use USO once for gemsbok in NM and he wanted to hunt on his own. After he pulled the tag , USO bothered him for months and seem all sorts of P.O'd that he wouldn't hire their "recommended" guide service.


Retired Navy Chief
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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7754623 02/24/20 01:32 AM
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Unless you are managing a bunch of points in several states, and want to make sure you don't accidentally burn points in the wrong unit most can be done by yourself. Now, if they can negotiate trespass fees on your behalf, I'd be talkin some.


No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7754708 02/24/20 03:07 AM
Joined: Apr 2007
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BOBO the Clown Offline
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Originally Posted by Rangerbazz
I am looking to use an application service for the best units across the country for Elk and Mule Deer Hunting. Have any of you used a service? I have looked at WTA, Epic Outdoors and Huntinfool. Anyone have any experience with these or others? Would love some recommendations from people that have good experiences with these services. Thanks!



Yes I use Epic for 7 states and do 4 on my own(3 they don’t offer).

I missed some PP deadlines a few years back and it really set back some of my draw odds.

Ironically I do NM myself(exact same outfitter and hunts every year) and screwed up on my Mulie tag, NM changed the season from sept and Jan to sept or Jan... that’s a huge difference.

Instead of my Mulie tag being an add on while elk hunting and or Jan rut hunt if I don’t draw elk tag, I got stuck with a stand alone Sept Mulie tag. First year in 15 that I didn’t get to hunt archery elk because I didn’t want to eat my Mulie tag, grant it I called in 6 bulls messing around but none the less no true archery elk hunt for me last year. That hunt code assumption hurt.

Any way, I’ve been very happy with Epic. I get the owners any time I call and or ask for one of them. Hell I called Jason on scoring a mule deer and he handed the phone over to Wyatt who is an official B/C scorer and walked me through a NT frame. Very personable and great guys that do a great job not just with tag service but helping you set up long term plans for tons of species in ever state, finding outfitters, leases and LO tags. They also are great at staying within you budgets.


Feel free to PM with any specific questions.


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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: QMC SW/EXW] #7754719 02/24/20 03:18 AM
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BOBO the Clown Offline
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Originally Posted by QMC SW/EXW
Wouldn't waste my time with them. Everything is online these day and the process isn't difficult in any of the states. Besides most of them try to pressure you into booking with a guide service they get kickbacks from. Had a buddy use USO once for gemsbok in NM and he wanted to hunt on his own. After he pulled the tag , USO bothered him for months and seem all sorts of P.O'd that he wouldn't hire their "recommended" guide service.


Probably post Guide allocation but now if you draw a tag through the higher odds outfitter pool by law you are spending a few hours hunting with one....

I completely disagree with you unless you are only looking at 1-2 states. Even then odds don’t tell the whole picture.

This is the year to probably burn Mulie deer points in CO, if you are hunting antlers size... why?


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7756939 02/26/20 03:31 PM
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Fitzwho Offline
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I use GoHunt to do my own research.

Have been a member of Epic and HuntinFool in the past. Both put out some very nice publications, and the Epic Podcast is very handy (and free). Did not use any of their application services though.

I use WTA Tags for New Mexico, because I don't like fronting that much money unless I know I'm getting the tag (i.e. Wyoming and Montana). I still do all my own research and just send them a list of what units I want them to apply me for. Usually in NM, I have very specific hunts/seasons that I am willing to squeeze in-between other hunts I also have planned.

If you are just starting out, the "best units" for elk and deer are going to be 10-15 plus years away, probably more. This is my 5th year of applications, I did a quick count the other day and there are over 20 rifle hunts that I could burn points on this year if I wanted to, just taking State and Species into account (not individual units from each state). There are a lot of opportunities to hunt.

Like Bobo said, Colorado deer are going to get hammered the next couple years.


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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7756954 02/26/20 03:47 PM
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Erny Offline
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I do it myself and apply in 8 western states. It is very time consuming, but there are a ton of options of resources out there that you can use to make your decision. I have thought about using an application service myself, but kinda like doing the research myself. I have a friend that used USO and was displeased with the hunts they put him in for.

Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7758958 02/28/20 07:47 PM
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Fitzwho Offline
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Do it yourself and feel even cooler when you draw stuff. Like me, who just drew an Arizona elk tag with 4 points... (insert evil laugh here)


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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Fitzwho] #7758975 02/28/20 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Fitzwho
Do it yourself and feel even cooler when you draw stuff. Like me, who just drew an Arizona elk tag with 4 points... (insert evil laugh here)



What unit? if you say 10 I’m going through the window. Congrats


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7759000 02/28/20 08:31 PM
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Fitzwho Offline
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Definitely not Unit 10. Won't find out if I got 1st or 2nd choice until next week I guess. Either got 5BS early muzzleloader (the week before the archery hunt/new season for this year) or 3B Late Muzzleloader (after Thanksgiving). Not top tier units by any means.


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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7759003 02/28/20 08:32 PM
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Tony270 Offline
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I just went on the AZ Game and Fish site, Elk results have not been posted yet still say pending!


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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7759025 02/28/20 09:06 PM
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Fitzwho Offline
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Results (as in which hunt I got) are pending. They did at least the elk draw today and are hitting credit cards. My card got hit an hour or so before lunch.


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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Fitzwho] #7759040 02/28/20 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Fitzwho
Definitely not Unit 10. Won't find out if I got 1st or 2nd choice until next week I guess. Either got 5BS early muzzleloader (the week before the archery hunt/new season for this year) or 3B Late Muzzleloader (after Thanksgiving). Not top tier units by any means.



Still AZ though, congrats.


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7760372 03/01/20 08:03 PM
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Tony270 Offline
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My credit card got hit the other day, I put in for early Bull Unit 10 and late season Bull Units 8 & 9! All rifle


3G Ranch
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Re: Hunting License Application Service [Re: Rangerbazz] #7760672 03/02/20 02:49 AM
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Fitzwho Offline
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Very nice


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