SALEM, Ore.—Oregon resident hunters that apply for and are issued a controlled big game hunt application by April 15, 2010 will be entered into several drawings to win a 2011 Resident Sports Pac, a $164.75 value. The purpose of the drawings is to encourage hunters to apply for controlled hunts early, before the May 15, 2010 deadline.

Non-resident hunters that apply for and are issued a controlled big game hunt application by April 15, 2010 will also be entered into the drawings and if selected, will win a 2011 Non-Resident Hunting License, a $140.50 value.

A Sports Pac includes a Combination Angling/Hunting/Shellfish License, a Combined Angling Harvest Tag, a Validation for Upland Bird and Waterfowl hunting, plus a General or Controlled Buck Deer, General or Controlled Elk, General Cougar, General or Controlled Bear and Spring Turkey Tag.

A total of 100 Sports Pac or Non-Resident Hunting Licenses will be given away. The drawings will work like this:

• Apply for and be issued a controlled hunt application between Dec. 1, 2009 and Jan. 31, 2010 for a chance to win one of 50 Sports Pac or Non-Resident Hunting Licenses.

• Apply for and be issued a controlled hunt application by March 15, 2010 for a chance to win one of 30 Sports Pac or Non-Resident Hunting Licenses.

• Apply for and be issued a controlled hunt application by April 15, 2010 for a chance to win one of the remaining 20 Sports Pac or Non-Resident Hunting Licenses.

The drawings will take place Feb. 1, March 16 and April 19 and winners will be notified by mail. Hunters unsuccessful in the first or second drawing will be re-entered into future drawings. Only one entry per hunter is allowed, meaning hunters that apply for several controlled hunts can still only be entered once. Controlled spring bear hunt applicants are not eligible for the drawing.

Hunters can apply for controlled hunts 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 15 of the 2010 Oregon Big Game Regulations.

Mail order/fax applicants should allow 7-10 days for their applications to be processed and issued. Remember, to be eligible for the drawing, the controlled hunt application must be issued, not just received, by the drawing deadlines (Jan. 31, March 15 and April 15). Controlled hunt applications can be processed and issued immediately online and at license sales agents or ODFW offices.

The deadline to apply for a controlled hunt is May 15 each year. Most applications are received during the last few days. In 2009, only 68,849 of 378,065 total applications received were processed by April 15, 2009. The high volume of sales activity in the last few days prior to the deadline has led to long lines and slowed or crashed the license sales system at times, causing ODFW to extend the deadline in both 2008 and 2009.

The vendor that manages the license sales system will be purchasing the Sports Pac and Non-Resident Hunting Licenses for the winners. ODFW and the vendor will conduct similar drawings in 2011 and 2012, as part of a three-year pilot program to determine if the incentives are helping with early application.

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.

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