Draw Partner! No, we are not challenging you to a gunfight in the streets of Fort Worth in 1883. It is time to begin entering various draw hunts for big game animals. The deadlines are looming. For example in New Mexico the deadline to enter their drawn hunts is March 16. In Colorado it is April 5 and Arizona’s deadline has already passed for Pronghorn and Elk .
For Texans our new season begins in September and Draw opportunities begin in the summer usually July 1, so we have time, but for our surrounding western neighbors their regulations come out in January and February and in a month or less deadlines are on you before you know it.
Draw hunts provide a great chance for more hunting opportunity, and in areas of the country outside of Texas. Species we do not have or do not have in abundance are available. The catch is the regulations can be confusing and as we have already stated they come up on you fast.
The good news is your Texas Hunter Education is good everywhere in the U.S. as well as some U.S. territories and Canada. Texas has a draw system too. As with most states, the drawings are online and you can get reminders so you do not get surprised. For Texas, you can go to Public Hunting in Texas & Access to TPWD Lands. There are a variety of hunts to apply for beginning in July. It is good to be early in the draw. Texas like many states has a point system. For every year you are not drawn you get a point for that category. As you accumulate points the odds of getting selected are increased, but you can still be in for a long wait especially for very popular hunts and species. You cannot win if you do not enter, however.
For youth hunts especially, I encourage you to look into standby hunts. Let’s say you applied for the Youth Gun Deer Either Sex at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, but did not get drawn. Show up at the park on the dates of the hunt and they will have a drawing to fill the spots of hunters who do not show up. It is best to call the area to get the stand by details, but many Parks and State Natural Areas have stand by positions.
So even if you are in post-hunting season depression there are hunts to get ready for, even if only in your day dreams!