Welcome to this Special Edition Podcast where I will be speaking with Natural Resources Representatives from our Western states regarding big game applications for 2009.

Current Podcasts For This Series: Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho
Stay tuned for more additions to this area!

Idaho
In this segment my guest is Brad Compton, Assistant Chief of Wildlife for the Idaho Game and Fish Department. We cover the upcoming April and May deadlines for the fall limited license and the availability of over-the-counter tags and leftover license. Also covered are some of the late season opportunities the state has to offer.

Brad discusses the “super hunt” and “super hunt combo” programs that will excite the hunter looking at Idaho as an option for a big game package this fall. We think you will enjoy the information and get excited about what this addition to the series has to offer.

Some highlights from this podcast:

• April deadlines for limited big game license on Moose, Goat and Sheep
• May deadlines for limited big game license on Deer, Elk, Pronghorn and Black Bear
• Idaho’s super hunt combo that really truly is a “western safari”

Arizona
In this segment our guest is Doug Burt, who is the Public Information Officer for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. We discuss the recently passed elk application draw deadline and the upcoming June application opportunities for the remaining fall hunts. Doug covers the new regulations regarding ATV registration, a youth hunt that is really gaining a lot of attention and the unusually wet weather conditions that are setting Arizona up to be a premier destination this fall for hunters due to anticipate forage amounts.

Some highlights from this podcast:

• Some options left for potential Arizona elk hunters
• Upcoming deadlines for the fall deer hunts
• Contact information and how license applications must be received
• Unusual weather that is greening-up Arizona and will potentially impact mast crop positively

New Mexico
In this segment our guest is Tanya Vigill, who is the state’s Public Information Specialist for the New Mexico Game and Fish Department. Tanya covers the upcoming big game application deadlines as well as some that have recently past. We discuss the application processes for the states various species of big game as well as turkey and Javelina. Tanya covers the new customer information number that every applicant will need to register for as well as new game management unit alignments that have occurred.

We mention briefly some of the states more exotic species hunting, such as Oryx, Ibex and Barbary Sheep and are left with an invitation to come back again to learn greater detail about those opportunities in a future podcast.

Some highlights from this podcast:

• April 8th Deer, Elk, Javelina, Antelope, Bighorn Sheep, Ibex and Barbary Sheep deadline
• Turkey, Bear and Oryx deadlines have passed
• New CID numbers for all hunters in the state
• How the application process works as well as when results of the drawings will be posted

——————————-
Colorado
In this installment Kevin speaks with Tyler Baskfield, Communications Manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Tyler speaks to the April deadline for applying for draw license and how simple the process has been made for folks who would like to try their hand at a Colorado big game hunt. Tyler also lends some good advice for those planning a future Colorado hunt in being strategic with the states preference point system and how you can build yourself toward access to one of the states more premier areas just by planning ahead. Colorado boasts the largest elk herd in the country and with soft harvests over the last two years the opportunity to capitalize on a monster bull is now.

Some highlights from this podcast:

• Colorado’s Application Deadline Coming In April
• Over The Counter License Opportunities
• Additional Tags Available In Undersubscribed Units
• New Harvested Moose Inspection Requirements
• How To Plan Now For Future Hunts In The States Best Areas

——————————-
Wyoming
We’re launching this series with Jeff Obrecht from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Jeff discusses the current big game permits that require immediate application deadlines and the processes for both resident and non-resident Wyoming hunters when securing their licenses. Jeff also lends some insight into the spring turkey hunting in Wyoming regarding deadlines and application permits as well as fee structures and the licensing platforms for all hunters.

Some highlights from this podcast:

• Wyoming Leftover Application Drawing
• Reduced Priced Cow Or Calf Licenses
• Wyoming Youth Hunting License Prices
• Wyoming Preference Point System