HUNTING LICENSE

Hunting license authorizes the bearer to kill certain types of animals during specific periods of time and are typically valid for 12 months. A general hunting license is valid for animals that are not protected/controlled by state or federal laws (such as rabbits, squirrels, etc). Often has the option to be combined with a fishing license.

For other small game animals, varmints, upland game birds and waterfowl designated by the state (most commonly) or federal government (such as HIP, Sandhill Crane Permit) as being protected, other hunting permits, stamps, tags are required.

To hunt big game animals, which are typically protected/controlled, other permits/tags are required. Limiting the number of permits/tags distributed prevents overcrowding in the field and controls the harvest of game, based upon an area's size, habitat, game populations and rules.

In some cases where animal populations merit, there may be a "general season" for a particular species allowing an unlimited number of permits to be sold. However, in most cases, big game permits are limited, controlled in some fashion such as quota (only defined number of permits/tags available; permits/tags will be sold until allowed number of animals are killed at which time the season will close) or draw (limited number of permits/tags will be allocated to accurately and completely filled out applications by some sort of drawing/random method).
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PERMIT

Permit generally "permits" the bearer of a general hunting license who also possesses a permit to "do" something above and beyond that allowed by the general hunting license.

Such as:
• • Permit to kill a limited number (usually 1, occasionally 2) of a specific animal not huntable with a general license, during a specific date interval in a specific area often using a specific weapon. In some states, these are referred to as species specific licenses (i.e. deer license, instead of deer permit) or a game tag.
• • Permit to use a certain weapon (archery or muzzleloader permit)
• • Permit to allow hunting on certain land (public or landowner)

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TAG

Tag generally refers to the temporary record of a kill enabling the hunter to lawfully possess the carcass. Literally speaking, the Tag is the piece of paper that is attached to the antler/horn/carcass of the game animal to identify it as legally taken and legally possessed. In some states, these are combined with permits.

In today's electronic age, license/permits, permits/tags are often issued as a single document that lists all the privileges purchased. These documents are typically not transferable; however, in some states landowner permits/tags are transferable.
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Hunting areas may be referred to as:

• • Wildlife management zones (WMZ)
• • Wildlife management units (WMU)
• • Game Management Units (GMU)
• • Big Game Units (BGU)
• • Cooperative Wildlife Management Units (CWMU)
• • Wildlife management areas (WMA)

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How to get license, permits and tags

In most states, general hunting licenses are available online or OTC. Depending upon the state and species, other permits/tags may be available
• • over the counter (OTC) for an unlimited number of hunters
• • OTC up to a quota (maximum number) sold or harvested
• • through outfitters or landowners
• • through a drawing from eligible applications.

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Group Hunt Application

... is to accommodate hunters who don't want to draw a permit/tag unless their partners draw also. Again, rules vary by state.
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BP ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... PP

BONUS POINTS and PREFERENCE POINTS

In states where applicants far outnumber permits/tags available for particular species, possibly in particular regions and possibly for particular weapons, bonus points or preference points may be available as an option to increase odds of being drawn in a future year after an unsuccessful draw application. While these programs have in common the purpose of increasing draw odds for applicants in future years, they are variably administered and executed. It is important to carefully read the rules and regulations for the state in which you hope to hunt.

Preference points

Some preference points are applied for/purchased with the draw application; others are available for purchase during a set date interval prior to the draw. Cost varies from state to state and often from species to species.

Preference points are often only valid if draw applications and point purchases are submitted annually. In some states applicants must apply each year to retain preference points; if an applicant skips a year, all preference points will be forfeited. Other states allow applicants to submit an improper application for or skip one (1) year without forfeiting their accumulated points. In such cases, with a second improper application or skipped year, the accumulated preference points will be deleted. Again, this varies from state to state and may change from year to year.

In theory, with a certain number of preference points for a particular species at some point you will be drawn. It might take 3, 5, 8, 12 or even more preference points (i.e. years), but if you continue to apply to the draw annually and purchase preference points every year, eventually you should get your permit/tag. Note of caution: just because all applicants with, say 3 points were awarded their permit/tag this year, doesn't mean applicants with 3 points next year will get their permit. It is still dependent upon total number of applicants and condition of animal population and will vary from year to year, region to region within a given state.

For example, from Wyoming: "Beginning in 2007, the Department shall allocate not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the available nonresident elk, deer and antelope licenses to a preference point drawing and twenty-five percent (25%) of the available nonresident elk, deer and antelope licenses will be assigned to a random drawing in which all unsuccessful applicants from the preference point drawing shall be placed."

As opposed to bonus points

With bonus points there is no "eventually" implied guarantee. A bonus point only provides an additional opportunity in the draw. Think of it like buying raffle tickets. If you buy 1 ticket out of 1000 sold, you have 1 chance to be drawn. If you buy 4 tickets out of 1000 sold, you have 4 chances to be drawn. With bonus points, it is still possible that someone with no bonus points will be drawn while someone with 5 bonus points will not. Logic suggests having bonus points is still better than not having bonus points.
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CONSERVATION STAMPS and HABITAT STAMPS
It all began in 1916 ...

as an attempt to save waterfowl and habitat, with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) between the US and Canada. At a time when people adorned their hats with egret feathers and signed their letters with pelican-quill pens and sport hunters were lobbying for a law to unify state hunting regulations, this coalition of visionary hunters and conservationists ensured the protection of a healthy environment for people, fish and wildlife for generations to come. Click here to learn more.

To further strengthen the MBTA, in 1934 President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp. The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, one of the first and most successful conservation programs in this nation's history, requires the use of a migratory bird stamp for hunting to raise funds for the conservation of migratory waterfowl. Since 1934, sales of the federal Duck Stamp have generated more than $700 million, allocated to purchasing, leasing, maintaining and creating waterfowl habitat. These stamps are issued and sold by the Postal Service and authorized locations. 

In most states, wildlife and habitat management efforts are not paid for by state taxes. The funds for these endeavors come from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and federally administered taxes levied on various types of hunting, fishing, and outdoor equipment purchases. Hunters and anglers will continue to protect the resources through license and equipment purchases, but with ever-increasing pressure on wildlife and habitat, additional help is needed.

Enter the Conservation Stamps and Habitat Stamps

Conservation stamps tend to be species specific like the Duck Stamp (Trout Stamp, Salmon Stamp, Bear Stamp, etc.). Habitat stamps benefit wildlife by preserving habitat. Similar programs with similar goals accomplished by similar means and methods.

Habitat and conservation stamps are supported by hunters and anglers (may be required with the purchase of certain hunting and fishing licenses in some states) as well as outdoor enthusiasts and conservations (voluntary purchase).
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Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) is a method by which state wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) are developing more reliable estimates of the number of all migratory birds harvested throughout the country. These estimates give biologists the information they need to make sound decisions concerning hunting seasons, bag limits, and population management. Read more here. 

If you are a migratory bird hunter, you must participate in the HIP (at no charge or for a minimum charge just to cover processing). A few HIP participants will be selected to voluntarily provide their harvest information. Details are below.

HIP is a voluntary survey of selected migratory bird hunters in the United States. The state wildlife agencies collect name, address, and some additional information from each migratory bird hunter in their state, and send that information to the USFW. USFW randomly selects a sample of those hunters and asks them to provide information on the kind and number of migratory birds they harvest during the hunting season. Those hunters’ reports are used to develop reliable estimates of the total harvest of all migratory birds throughout the country.

To comply with HIP, first you must identify yourself as a migratory bird hunter and provide your name, address, and date of birth at the time you purchase your license--something most hunters do already. You must do this in every state in which you hunt migratory game birds. Second, you must have carry proof of your participation in HIP with you whenever you hunt migratory birds in that state. The state wildlife agency will provide you with a card, stamp, or other proof of participation when you sign up.

In addition, when you sign up for HIP, you will be asked to voluntarily answer several questions about your hunting experience during last year's season. Your answers to these questions are not used to compile harvest estimates, but are simply used to identify what types of birds you usually hunt. This allows the Service to mail its surveys to the appropriate hunters. For example, most surveys about dove harvest are sent to hunters who usually hunt doves, while most waterfowl harvest surveys are sent to hunters who usually hunt ducks and/or geese.

Hunters were concerned about wildlife conservation long before was trendy to do so. Their long history of taxing themselves, paying license fees, buying stamps helps to ensure the health and vigor of wildlife populations, hunted and non-hunted alike.

HIP is just another page in that history. It is simply good conservation. As the threat to and concern for migratory bird populations continue to mount, it is essential to gather the best information possible about the factors affecting these populations. It is in the hunter's best interest to have wildlife management decisions based on scientific evidence, not on opinions, philosophies, or politics. The Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program, through the cooperation of hunters, will provide wildlife biologists with the facts they need to ensure our migratory bird resources and hunting tradition will be around for future generations to enjoy.
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