Sask. big game draws open to online applications in May

The big game draw for Saskatchewan is now open for the 2020 hunting season and due to the closure of field offices in the wake of COVID-19, all draw applications will have to be submitted online this year. Hunters have until midnight on May 25 to submit applications for this year’s available draws. Due to mild winters, there will be increased opportunities for the elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and whitetail deer draws.

The changes to the priority pool format implemented in 2018 remain in place again this year. Most of the 2019 Legacy applicants were successfully drawn, and so officials say chances to be drawn out of this year’s Legacy pool are good.

The Ministry of Environment encourages hunters to apply early, to avoid complications using the online system. Those applying for draws must have a

Saskatchewan Hunting, Angling, and Trapping License (HAL), where clients can submit and review their applications, and check pool history status.

The HAL system is also where draw results will be available, in mid-July for pronghorn draws and mid-June for the other draws, and where successful applications can purchase their draw hunting license beginning Aug. 1. Application instructions are available online at saskatchewanhal.ca.

For information about HAL accounts or for help with completing an application, call 1 (888) 773-8450.

More information about the big game draw is available online from saskatchewan.ca/hunting, and questions about pool status or hunting in Saskatchewan can be directed to 1 (800) 567-4224.