Understanding Oregon's controlled hunt application: Deadline is May 15

After software engineer Ron Wold didn’t draw a tag he was sure he would, he created the Oregon Tag Draw Percentages website to help hunters figure out their chances. Hundreds view his website or contact him each year to get a sense of their chances. The book Oregon Tag Guide also helps hunters understand their odds.

Wold spoke with ODFW about the most common misconceptions and mistakes about controlled hunts he sees among hunters:

Most hunters don’t understand how the draw works, says Wold. “While the regulations describe the process, they read that and make assumptions, or it differs from what their brother-in-law told them 20 years ago,” he says.

For example, people assume that because a hunt has a 100% chance to draw with 8 points, and they have five, they will draw it in three years. “This isn’t true. It could take 10 years, depending on the hunt,” says Wold. “In order to determine when you will draw, or more specifically when your point level will be part of the 75% draw, you must consider the number of applicants.” Wold goes into more detail on his website.

Application changes can be done up to June 1. Call the Licensing Department at (503) 947-6100 or send a corrected copy of your application to ODFW Controlled Hunts, 3406 Cherry Ave NE, Salem, OR 97303, fax (503) 947-6113 or 6117.

If you have any questions on the process or would like to be at the drawing for seed numbers, call ODFW’s controlled hunts supervisor at 503-947-6108.

More about controlled hunts

Some of Oregon’s big game hunts are limited entry, including almost all rifle hunting of deer and elk east of the Cascades and pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and Rocky Mountain goat hunts. These hunts require a controlled hunt application. Last year, more than 130,000 fall big game controlled hunt tags were available and 365,975 applications were received.

Hunters can apply for a controlled hunt online, at a license sales agent, at ODFW offices that sell licenses, or by mail or fax order using the application found here or on page 17 of the 2013 Oregon Big Game Regulations. The cost is $8 and applicants also need an annual hunting license ($29.50, $14.50 for juveniles age 17 and under). Don’t forget to apply by May 15, 2013.

Proposed tag numbers should be posted on the ODFW Hunting Resources page in early May. Final 2013 fall big game tag numbers will be adopted June 6-7 by the Fish and Wildlife Commission at the monthly meeting.