Board clears changes to sportsman's draw and group application rules to protect points and allow group applications

The Wildlife Board unanimously approved changes to rules governing the sportsman's draw and group applications (R657-41 and R657-62).

Division staff said the change will allow an individual who draws a sportsman's conservation permit (for example, bison) to continue purchasing preference points for other species even if, for that calendar year, the drawn sportsman's permit would otherwise make them ineligible to buy a point. The intent is to protect long-term point accrual strategies that hunters use for once-in-a-lifetime or high-demand species.

Staff also clarified statewide tag start dates when an opening date falls on a Sunday (move forward or backward as appropriate) and explicitly codified that applicants can only draw one species in the sportsman's drawing. The Division recommended allowing group applications for management buck deer hunts where permit numbers now support that option.

Board action: Bob Christensen moved to accept the Division's recommendations; Chris Robinson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Stakeholder input and context: RAC chairs reported largely favorable recommendations across regions, with Southern RAC noting a 7-0 vote with one recusal reflecting a contested personal interest. One electronic comment opposed changing the sportsman draw, arguing it would concentrate opportunity; Division staff said the change affects roughly a few hundred applicants historically and is intended to equalize treatment with other special permits.

Next steps: The Division will publish revised rule text and update guidance for applicants ahead of the next draw period.