BIG GAME HUNTING
START HUNTING BIG GAME
CHOOSE A BIG GAME SPECIES
There are many different varieties of big game animals available for hunting in North America, including:
| WHITETAIL DEER | ROOSEVELT ELK | BLACK BEAR |
|---|---|---|
| MULE DEER | TULE ELK | ALASKA BROWN BEAR |
| AXIS DEER | ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK | GRIZZLY BEAR |
| BLACKTAIL DEER | MANITOBA ELK | POLAR BEAR |
| COUES DEER | ALASKA YUKON MOOSE | AMERICAN ALLIGATOR |
| PRONGHORN | SHIRAS MOOSE | AMERICAN BISON |
| CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP | DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP | AMERICAN MOUNTAIN GOAT |
| STONE SHEEP | MOUNTAIN GOAT | DALL SHEEP |
| AMERICAN BISON | WOLF | IBEX |
| MOUNTAIN LION | CARIBOU | MUSKOX |
| Turkey | JAVELINA | WILD PIG |
CHOOSE YOUR HUNTING WEAPON
| CENTERFIRE RIFLE | MUZZLELOADING RIFLE | HANDGUN |
|---|---|---|
| SHOTGUN | COMPOUND BOW | CROSSBOW |
| RECURVE BOW | LONG BOW | SPEAR |
TAKE A HUNTER SAFETY COURSE
A hunter safety course teaches you firearms and ammunition safety, basic hunting techniques, basic first aid techniques, wildlife identification, and introduces new hunters to the ethics of hunting big game.
PURCHASE HUNTING LICENSE
Hunting big game in North America requires a hunting license or hunting permit.
*This is different and often times confused with BIG GAME TAG.
JOIN ONLINE HUNTING GROUPS
Social media is a great way to learn about hunting. If you want to start hunting big game, we recommend joining several Facebook groups related to the different topics of big game hunting.
SIGN UP FOR A HUNTING WORKSHOP
Many states offer free workshops to individuals looking start hunting big game. You can learn basic firearms handling, shooting, and cleaning. These workshops offer a variety of knowledge. Explore opportunities in your state for free.
LEARN TO HUNT SMALL GAME
If you want start hunting big game, an easy way to get started is by learning to hunt small game. All states offer some form small game hunting. Hunting small game often only requires a valid state hunting license. In some cases you may need to purchase an additional stamp, or permit to hunt a specific species.
| RABBIT | FOX | MUSKRAT |
|---|---|---|
| SQUIRREL | TURKEY | GREY FOX |
| NUTRIA | COYOTE | BADGER |
| PRAIRIE DOG | MUSKRAT | PORCUPINE |
| HARE | PRAIRIE CHICKEN | SNAPPING TURTLE |
| SKUNK | ARMADILLO | FISHER |
| BEAVER | BULLFROG | GROUNDHOG |
LEARN TO HUNT BIRDS
Learning to hunt birds is a great way to get outdoors, harvest some meat, and fine-tune your shooting skills. Nothing will get you dialed in with your weapon quite like bird hunting. North America offers a wide variety of bird hunting. Many species can be hunted with a valid license, and in many cases an accompanying "bird stamp."
| TURKEY | DUCK | GOOSE |
|---|---|---|
| WATERFOWL | PHEASANT | QUAIL |
| GROUSE | MIGRATORY WATERFOWL | DOVE |
| SNIPE | GOOSE | WOODCOCK |
| MOORHEN | PTARMIGAN | COOT |
| PARTRIDGE | MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS | RAIL |
| CROW | SANDHILL CRANE | CRANE |
| MERGANSER | GAME BIRDS | GALLINULE |
| SNOW GOOSE | SWAN | UPLAND GAME BIRD |
| TEAL | FALCON | CANADA GOOSE |
| SAGE GROUSE |
CHOOSE TYPE OF BIG GAME HUNT
Hunters in North America are blessed with the opportunity to hunt a variety of big game animals. Once you have chosen your species, it's now time to choose the type of big game hunt you want.
Options include:
- OVER THE COUNTER or OTC - These tags are typically avail on a first come first serve basis. Some states have a limited number avail per season / species.
- GENERAL HUNT - These hunts may or may not be avail over the counter. See state hunting regulations for further information.
- LIMITED ENTRY HUNT - A limited entry hunt is achieved by applying for a state big game tag. Typically limited entry hunts are for specific hunting units or GAME MANAGEMENT UNITS (GMU) within a state.
- CONTROLLED HUNT - These types of hunts are generally in conjunction with state biologists to affect herd populations in ways deemed necessary thru specific harvesting of big animals by age, or sex.
- PREDATION HUNT - These hunts are typically available in states that have a problem with big game ruining or eating crops or otherwise destroying habitat used for agriculture or natural resources.
- WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT - Many states offer wildlife management hunts that are specifically designed to strictly control species population in a certain area or game management unit.
READ STATE HUNTING REGULATIONS
Before your boots hit the ground for any hunt, it is vitally important to read your states hunting regulations. These short magazine type books can be found at your local sporting goods store, or will often times be mailed to you after you purchase your license online. Hunting regulations and fees change every year. Even the most veteran hunters should read the regulations for every state they plan on hunting in, every year. The importance of educating yourself before hitting the field can not be overstated.
FIND A PLACE TO HUNT
Every hunter needs a place to hunt. Luckily for big game hunters in North America, there are well over 220 million acres of public land available for big game hunting. Everything you need to know about hunting on federal public land can be found here. Checking in with your state wildlife management office is also a great way to find more local areas avail for hunting.
PURCHASE HUNTING GEAR
Sourcing good hunting gear is key to being successful in the field. Getting started can be tough, but we have you covered. Click here for 12 MUST HAVE GEAR LIST ITEMS for your next hunt.
PRACTICE SHOOTING
One of the biggest factors in big game hunting is the ability to hit what you are aiming at. Take the time to get in as much shooting and range time as possible. This will ensure you are "ready to go" when the opportunity arises to harvest your next big game animal.
GO SCOUTING
In order to be successful at hunting big game, you must first be able to find the animal. Watch as many big game hunting videos as you can to prepare yourself with practical big game hunting knowledge. Learn the sites, sounds, and smells of the animal you are going after. Learn to distinguish the animals feces and tracks. Learn to determine the sex of the animal by its tracks. We recommend learning where the animals sleep, where they feed, and where they find water. If you can determine any one of these three areas, and set up along this area, you have a great chance of success.
LEARN TO HUNT
- Watch as many hunting videos as you can.
- Join Facebook groups and study the questions and answers other hunters ask.
- Ask questions! Most often times other hunters are willing to share their knowledge with other people sincerely interested in joining the sport.
- Subscribe to hunting blogs! Hunting blogs are a great way to learn practical hunting knowledge.
- Check your states wild life management office for information on big game hunting. There is a wide variety of free information available at your state fish and game website. A list of them can be found here.
LEARN TO FIELD DRESS A BIG GAME ANIMAL
Learn what to do after the hunt. Once you harvest a big game animal, the hard work of cleaning and preparing the meat for consumption begins. Many factors should be considered when learning to field dress a big game animal.
- Temperature
- Speed of finding and cleaning the animal
- Cleanliness
- Meat storage and climate control
- Transportation of meat
START HUNTING BIG GAME
Hunting big game is hard, learning to hunt big game should be easy. At DRAW MORE TAGS™ our aim is to make sure everything you need to start hunting is within sight.