[ODFW-News] ODFW reminds hunters to apply by May 15 for big game hunts

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 947-6020	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 947-6009


For Immediate Release	Thursday, April 29, 2004

ODFW Reminds Hunters to Apply for Big Game Hunts
Deadline is Saturday, May 15

SALEM - State wildlife officials urge big game hunters to apply for
this fall's controlled big game hunts as quickly as possible to avoid
the lines expected to occur on the Saturday, May 15, deadline. 

Hunters should submit their applications through their local license
agent, mail order or Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office.
However, because the deadline falls on a Saturday this year, ODFW
offices will not be open that day. 

ODFW limits the number of hunters for particular hunts to improve game
management and enhance the hunting experience. Hunters must apply for
tags for these "controlled" hunts in the spring.  A random computer
drawing occurs in June and hunters are notified by June 20 if they were
successful.  

Pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, eastern Oregon buck deer, many
eastern Oregon bull elk seasons, and most antlerless deer and elk
seasons are managed via the controlled hunt system. The cost to apply is
$4.50 per hunt type. Hunters must have a 2004 hunting license to apply.

By the close of business Tuesday, April 27, ODFW had received 83,252
applications. Last year, ODFW received more than 409,500 applications. 

Hunters will receive quicker service at a license agent if they have
the following materials readily available: hunting license or
Hunter/Angler Identification Number, a list of the hunts being applied
for, and, if applicable, the party leader's license number.

ODFW asks hunters not to wait until the final days before the May 15
deadline to apply for controlled hunt tags. Applying early helps avoid
overloading the Point-of-Sale computerized system and prevents other
associated application problems.

ODFW also reminds hunters that Wednesday, May 12, is the last day to
purchase raffle tickets at any license agent for a chance at winning a
tag for a special deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn or Rocky Mountain
goat hunt. Mail orders must be received by May 7 in the Salem ODFW
headquarters. The completed raffle tickets must be postmarked by
Saturday, May 15, to be entered in the raffle. 

Each year the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife raffles elk and
deer hunts as a fund-raiser for the Access and Habitat Program. ODFW
also offers a raffle tag that benefits the state's bighorn sheep,
pronghorn and Rocky Mountain goat programs by providing funds for
trapping, transplants and research. 

The 2004 A&H raffle hunts feature a statewide deer hunt; statewide
combination elk and deer hunt; northeast Oregon deer hunt, southeast
Oregon deer hunt, central Oregon deer hunt, northeast Oregon elk hunt,
high desert elk hunt, western Oregon elk hunt and a statewide elk hunt.
Deer and elk raffle winners may hunt across multiple management units
Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2004.  

Ticket prices for deer hunts are $4 for one ticket, $11 for six, $21
for 15, $51 for 40, and $101 for 100. Elk raffle tickets are $6 for one,
$21 for six, $41 for 15 and $101 for 40.  Combination deer and elk hunt
tickets are $11 for one, $31 for six, $61 for 15, and $151 for 40.
Bighorn sheep, pronghorn and Rocky Mountain goat raffle tickets are $11
for one, $51 for six, and $101 for 13.

Order forms are available from Point-of-Sale agents, page 31 of the
2004 Oregon Big Game Regulations or by calling (503) 947-6100.
###


Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002