Saskatchewan big game hunting draw now open

A deer is seen at the Michel-Chartrand Park in Longueuil, Que., Friday, November 13, 2020. City officials have been facing criticism after saying that they will have to kill half the white-tailed deer living in a municipal green space as efforts to control their population haven't worked. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Saskatchewan hunters can now enter the province’s Big Game Draw for a chance to hunt mule deer, elk, moose and pronghorn across the province.

“The Big Game Draw provides an exceptional opportunity to experience Saskatchewan’s world-renowned hunting,” Environment Minister Darlene Rowden said in a news release. “We encourage hunters to submit their applications early and to be fully prepared for the season.”

Applicants need to use the province’s Hunting, Angling and Trapping License (HAL) system, which includes an online residency verification.

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Hunters can see quotas and other major details through the 2026 Big Game Draw supplement, available online.

Applications must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on May 28, with late submissions not accepted.

Draw results will be made available through HAL in mid-June, but pronghorn results will be posted in mid-July.

According to the province, email notifications will be sent, but it remains the hunter’s responsibility to check their results through their HAL account.

Successful applicants will be able to buy their licenses starting Aug. 1.