The unfortunate reality is that every state runs their program differently. Terms like “point”, “license”, “tag”, “application”, etc do not always mean the same thing from state to state. But here are some general concepts that are true in almost all states.
Each species in each state might require some combination of the following things to legally hunt: license, permit, stamp, tag, proof of a class taken (like bow safety ed).
These hunts can further be restricted by weapon type, season, daily bag limit, geographic area, and specifics of the animal itself such as sex, antler points, and other physical characteristics.
A state’s annual published hunting regulations will provide the info of what is required and what is available for the various hunts.
Most large game require a tag to hunt. This is usually a piece of paper that you buy and/or are issued by the state game agency that lets you hunt that particular animal, in a particular area, for a particular set of dates.
Some tags are unlimited in quantity and are available “over the counter” (OTC), which means you just go to the vendor and buy one in person or online.
Some tags are OTC but limited in quantity. Once the agency sells a predetermined number of them, no one else can buy one.
Other tags are not OTC and require an application. These are usually tags with a higher number of hunters who want the tag than there are animals that can be killed that year. In this case applicants enter a drawing lottery to get a tag “drawn” (like a lotto ticket), or the tags might instead be given to people who have been applying for many years and didn’t get one yet. The preference for this is purchased by getting a “point” which is essentially a way to pay to keep yourself at the front of the line to get a tag. This is what people are referring to when they say “I drew a CO mule deer tag with 3 points.” It means for three years they bought a place in line, then cashed in and got their tag finally drawn to hunt that year.
Real life example:
Let’s say I want to hunt turkeys in the southeast Iowa hunting zone, in November, as a resident. I need to have proof of a hunter safety card, an IA hunting license, a habitat stamp, and a tag. The last three are bought together online. But since the tag is limited quantity, I buy it the day it goes on sale, August 15th, so they don’t all sell out to other hunters. If I shoot the turkey in November, I “punch” (fill out) my tag, attach it to the dead animal, and my turkey hunting is over until I get another tag next year.
Most Midwest states offer OTC tags for whitetails, so the process isn’t too crazy. The tough part of hunting whitetail where you live is having access to a place where you can realistically shoot a deer. This process may involve leasing private land, or applying for a permit that allows a limited number of hunters access to a particular block of public land.
Most western big game hunting for nonresidents involves applying for a tag. There is a significant learning curve here, and I wouldn’t bother to try and understand it all now. Eventually you’ll get an idea of a species you want to hunt. Pick a weapon type and a state, then learn how to get a tag for that hunt. At that point, it might be helpful to post again with the idea you have, and other members might have a suggestion of something similar to do, application deadlines to be aware of, etc.
