Number of California Elk applicants

[DFGELK]

Just thought some of you may find this interesting. The number of applicants for elk tags in California in 1996 was 12,531 and in 2006 it was 25,524. Other big game applicants show a similar rise in numbers.

Joe

 

[ducslayer]

Are the # of Calif hunters going up? or are a # of Cailf hunters staying home this year? It is very interresting , thanks for the info Joe ......duc

 

[ducslayer]

oooooops.....

 

[BDB]

Could also be that now that there is a points system people are applying for points even though they are hunting out of state and building points here in CA waiting for a draw down the road? Many hunters may have not bothered putting in for elk tags at all knowing it was a long shot at best and opted for out of state. I would be interested in the total # of hunting licenses and deer tags sold to see if that is moving up or down. I'm sure the info is available but I haven't bothered looking for it. Thanks for the info Joe!

Oops, you said other big game showed similar rises, my bad.

I doubt it is due to more people becoming in volved in hunting. More likely just people like many of us here, hunters from other locations moving to CA and hunting here. I wold love to wrong though and have it be due to more NEW hunters every year.

 

[DFGELK]

I have not looked at the numbers but I would guess total number of licenses sold has declined. I attribute the increase in elk applicants on both the draw system and an increase in number of tags. I hope to continue to increase the number of tags.

Joe

 

[84toyota]

I've always wondered how many of those premium tags are drawn by non-hunter antis trying to keep animals from being killed... Ever ponder that? I imagine it could happen...

Ken

 

[AimHigh]

hmmm,

Given the high success rates I doubt the antis are applying for many tags. They need to save their money for environmental lawsuites. How was the jump in apps for the 1st year of preference points? Also, didn't you convert some tags to junior only tags this year? That encouraged a whole new generation to start putting in for points.

ps. still waiting for my tag in the mail...