Insights
Hunting news, draw updates, and data breakdowns
We follow hunting updates, track draw-rule changes, and break down the stats to help you plan your next hunt and never miss a draw.
Best States for Hunting Roosevelt Elk: Where to Chase the Biggest Bulls
Roosevelt elk offer the largest-bodied bulls in North America, but hunting them means navigating limited tags, thick rainforest terrain, and highly competitive draws. Here's a state-by-state breakdown of where to apply and what it takes to punch a Roosevelt tag.
Best States for DIY Mountain Goat Hunting: Where to Apply and What to Expect
Mountain goat tags are among the hardest to draw in North America, but a handful of Western states offer realistic DIY opportunities. Here's where to focus your applications and how to build a strategy that actually results in a tag.
Best States for DIY California Bighorn Sheep Hunting
California bighorn sheep tags are among the rarest in North America, but a handful of Western states offer realistic DIY opportunities. Here's where to focus your applications and what to expect from each state's draw system.
Best States for DIY Shiras Moose Hunting: Where to Apply and What to Expect
Shiras moose tags are notoriously hard to draw, but some states offer better odds and more accessible hunts than others. Here's where DIY hunters should focus their applications.
Best States for DIY Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting
Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming offer the best opportunities for DIY Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunters, each with distinct draw systems, tag quotas, and terrain challenges that demand years of preparation.
Best States for DIY Rocky Mountain Goat Hunting: What You Need to Know
Rocky Mountain goat tags are among the rarest permits in Western hunting. This guide breaks down which states offer the best odds, terrain, and DIY accessibility for hunters chasing this bucket-list species.
Best States for DIY Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunting
Desert bighorn sheep tags are among the rarest in North America, but a handful of Western states offer realistic DIY opportunities. Here's where to focus your applications and what it takes to draw.
Best States for DIY Black Bear Hunting in the West
A breakdown of the top Western states for DIY black bear hunting, comparing tag availability, success rates, terrain, and what it takes to fill your tag on a budget.
Best States for First-Time Western Hunters | Complete Beginner Guide
Choosing the right state is one of the most important decisions a new western hunter can make. Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico provide some of the best combinations of opportunity, public land, and draw odds, making them excellent starting points for hunters looking to experience the West without waiting decades for a tag.
Best States for DIY Mule Deer Hunting | Public Land Buck Hunting Guide
The best DIY mule deer hunting state depends on your goals. Colorado and Wyoming offer incredible opportunity, Nevada and Utah are known for giant bucks, while Idaho and New Mexico provide excellent hunting without long-term point systems. TAGZ helps hunters compare draw odds, build application strategies, and choose the best mule deer hunt for their experience, budget, and goals.
How California's Big Game Draw Works | Complete Hunting Draw Guide
California's preference point system rewards consistent applicants while still offering opportunities for new hunters. From world-famous Tule elk to trophy mule deer, blacktail deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep, California remains one of the most diverse—and most overlooked—big game hunting destinations in the West.
How Oregon Preference Points Work | Complete Hunting Draw Guide
Oregon's preference point system rewards hunters who consistently apply for controlled hunts. While point creep has made premium tags more competitive, smart unit selection and long-term planning can help hunters maximize opportunities for elk, deer, pronghorn, sheep, and mountain goat hunts across the state.