Applications are open in several states and the first 2026 Application Deadlines are coming up sooner than you'd think!

Let's do this!!!

Previous years' threads:
2025 Western Hunting Thread
2024 Western Hunting Thread
2023 Western Hunting Thread
2022 Western Hunting Thread
2021 Big Game Draw Deadlines
2020 Western States Draw Deadlines
2019 Western States Draw Deadlines
2018 Western States Draw Deadlines
Western States Draw Deadlines: 2017

Western Hunting Advice for Beginner

Thanks for starting this!

Let's go

Anyone have a resource for changes in the Colorado draw system (ignore looks like changes are for 2028)

Damn I hope I get to go this next year. This year I had a tag in my cart for leftover tags in Colorado and the page refreshed and kicked me out.

Dear 8pound6ounce Sweet Baby Jesus,
You tiny, camoonesiewearing, earlyseasonarchery Baby Jesus…
the one who smells faintly of pine needles and fresh elk rubs,
I come before you today gathered around this blessed dinner of smoked brisket, instant mashed potatoes, and whatever my kids left in the fridge that still looks edible…
…to humbly ask that You shine Your heavenly favor upon my 2026 Western biggame tag applications.
I ask that You deliver unto me one glorious moment in 2026
when I'm in the backcountry, at sunrise,
and a bull steps out that makes me forget
every rejected application since 2014.
In Your camopatterned diapers I pray,
Amen.

AMEN

OP thanks for posting calendar dates all set. Freezers been empty for too long now.

My daughter finally got her RES MT license and we hunted hard for 5 days at Thanksgiving seeing elk everyday but just couldn't connect with a viable shot.

I have to get back out west in 26, fingers crossed for a good tag

Lets Go!

Hope this is the year. I started buying points when my kids were young with the plan to draw hunts once they were out of school. Youngest is a Senior at A&M, and GoHunt shows 22pts is 100% chance of drawing for Unit 1.