All premium deer hunt tags and elk, antelope and bighorn sheep tags are distributed through the DFG Big Game Drawing.

Under a Modified Preference Point System drawing, tag quotas for each hunt are split into two portions: one portion awarded by preference point drawings; the other portion awarded in Draw-By-Choice drawings. Quota splits vary, depending on the species, total number of available tags, or other special criteria (such as those for Apprentice Hunts).

The maximum number of preference points for any species a hunter can have is eight.

Instructions for completing elk, antelope and bighorn sheep applications can be found on pages 34, 40 and 42, respectively, and deer tag application instructions begin on page 16.

All big game tag applications for the annual Big Game Drawing must be received at the DFG’s License and Revenue Branch, in Sacramento, by 5:00 p.m. on June 2

• The DFG will run the draw within 10 business days of the application deadline.
• After the application deadline, when all applicant information has been entered, the computer assigns each person (or party) a unique random number. Hunters who apply as a party receive the same random number as the party leader.
• Party applications are not split to meet the tag quota if the number of party members exceeds the number of available tags (Section 708, Title 14 of the CCR). Therefore, when there are fewer tags available than the number of members in a party, the computer bypasses the party and draws the applicant with the next lowest random number to fill the tag quota.
• The preference point value for party applications entered in the Big Game Drawing is determined by averaging all party members’ deer preference points (total preference points of the party divided by the number of party members). Preference point averages are not rounded up or down (Section 708, Title 14 of the CCR).
• Just prior to the drawing, the computer sorts all applications according to first tag choice, preference point totals, and random number.
• The computer begins awarding first tag choices to applicants with the most preference points, in random number order (starting with the lowest random number to the highest random number).
• After the preference point round is completed, unsuccessful applications are resorted by hunt choice and random number order (starting with the lowest random number to the highest random number), and the computer begins awarding tags based on applicant’s first-choice without consideration of accumulated points, until all draw-by-choice tag quotas fill or until all applications have been processed.
• All remaining unsuccessful applications are then sorted by second tag choice, in random number order (starting with the lowest random number to the highest random number) and the computer conducts a second round of drawings for any zones and hunts with tags remaining without consideration of accumulated points.
• If tags remain after second tag choices have been processed, applications are sorted once again by third tag choice, in random number order (starting with the lowest random number to the highest random number), and any remaining tags are awarded without consideration of accumulated points.
• For applications not drawn in the third round hunters will be notified of available tags so they may reapply.

Deer tags and unsuccessful drawing notices will be mailed to drawing participants as soon as possible after the drawing. Beginning June 23, 2010, draw results will be available by phone during regular business hours from DFG license sales offices. On that date applicants may also look up draw results on the DFG’s Web site at:

https://biggame.dfg.ca.gov/biggame

Successful applicants should receive their tags by July 2, 2010. If you do not receive your tag by this date please contact your nearest DFG license sales office.

After the drawing, notices will be mailed to unsuccessful drawing applicants. These applicants should receive a notice by July 2, 2010 that lists zones and available hunts as of the notice date. Applicants must wait for their drawing notices to reapply for available tags.

Do not discard your drawing notice as it takes the place of your original deer tag application and must be used to reapply for available tags (either individually or as a party).Unsuccessful applicants who do not receive their drawing notice by July 2, 2010 should contact any DFG license sales