With snow on the ground and football on TV, most folks aren’t thinking much about next fall’s hunting season. However, if you don’t want to leave your season to chance, you need to start thinking and planning now to maximize your opportunities.

Several states start the draw process early. By the time you read this, you will probably already have missed the deadline to apply for elk in Wyoming and most hunts in Alaska. You will only have a few days left to apply for spring bear here in Oregon as applications are due by Feb. 10.

Perhaps you aren’t interested in out-of-state or bear hunting. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but opportunities to hunt deer and elk in Oregon aren’t going to get better anytime soon. The reports say that our deer herds across most of the state are way below objective. Over-the-counter tag opportunities are getting fewer and fewer.

In order to go hunting on a regular basis, you are going to need to get creative.

The first thing you can do is to educate yourself on the draw process. It’s not rocket science, but it’s not as easy as falling off a log, either. I’m amazed at how often I hear people complain that they didn’t draw a tag but have no idea how many points they have or how many points it takes to draw.

Then search out opportunities. There are still some hunts that you can draw every year or every other year. You may have to travel and learn some new ground. Maybe be willing to use a muzzleloader or bow if it gets you out hunting.

I used to sing the praises of out-of-state hunting, but while it’s still a good idea if you can swing it, things are changing. Before you start applying all over the West, you need to do some research. Like all things in life, it’s getting more expensive, with fewer opportunities.

Wyoming raised tag prices this year, and they keep talking about limiting non-resident tags. Colorado has historically been the land of opportunity for elk hunting, with many over-the-counter tags. However, they just released wolves in their state, so that isn’t going to help the hunting. You can buy landowner tags in New Mexico. Of course, the price depends on the trophy quality of the area.

Before you start throwing money around, take the time to figure out your chances of drawing. There are some tags, like Montana sheep, that you have no chance of drawing unless you started buying points the day you turned 12. Other tags may take several years to draw.

I don’t mean to harsh your hunting mellow. There is still good hunting to be had. I’m just saying you are going to have to work at it a little harder to make it happen.

Share your hunting plans with us at shootingthebreezebme@gmail.com.