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LAST EDITED ON Oct-28-11 AT 10:11?AM (MST)
LAST EDITED ON Oct-28-11 AT 10:10?AM (MST)
This is how the dedicated program works as I understand it right now---
Current dedicated hunters will have their pick of which unit they want starting for the 2012 season--
The DWR will put a web link on the DWR web page that will allow each current dedicated hunter to choose which unit they want, They will have a deadline of January 13 to make their choice.
For new Dedicated hunter applicants-- You have to apply for the DH program and at the same time indicate which unit you want.I believe you will be able to put in for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd unit choice. Each unit will have a cap of 15% of tags going to dedicated hunter participants. However, for the next 2 years those already in the DH program will be able to hunt the unit they want irregardless of the 15% cap. It will take another 2 years to "flush" out the current DHers and unit choice until the "new" DHers will fall under the 15% cap regulations. So, staring in 2012-- if you draw out for the DH program you have to fit into the 15% cap. You can only hunt in the unit you originally choose and you cannot change units during the 3 year period.
As of now, as a Central RAC member, I have not been given any tag numbers for each of the 30 units. Your odds for being able to draw a DH tag for any given unit is a guessing game. The DWR has all the historical info in regards to average hunter numbers in any given unit but they first need to do a post season buck/doe ratio count to put into the equation to determine how many a tags will be issued for a given unit.
Sometime in about February a mass mailing will be sent by the DWR to all previous big game applicants with a direct link to the 30 general season deer units map, 2010 summary sheet, buck/doe info and big game application.
The application period begins in February.
You might be interested to know also, that once you apply and are successful in the General season deer hunt (dh or not) you will recieve a detailed map of the unit you can hunt in along with your tag.
On May 3 the Wildlife Board will be given info on tag numbers for each unit and make approvals of the tag numbers.