Sask's Big Game Draw opened yesterday, and eager hunting enthusiasts are already beginning to send in their applications to hunt pronghorn, elk, moose, and mule deer this season.

The annual draw opened around 8:00 a.m. with hunters being able to submit one application per species at $10 for each application.

Matthew Weiss, allocation and licencing specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment of the Fish and Wildlife Branch, notes that the annual draw opened around 8:00 a.m. yesterday morning.

"This Big Game Draw is our lottery system for allocating a limited number of hunting licenses for big game in the province," he said. "When we need to reduce hunting pressure and the number of animals harvested we allocate those licenses." 

Results for pronghorn licenses will be announced in July while the results for all other animals will be announced in mid-June, and successful recipients will receive an email of confirmation. 

"The draw does give priority to hunters who have not been drawn for a longer period of time over those that have been recently drawn for a license," Weiss said. 

Those interested in hunting big game can apply online through their Hunting, Angling, and Trapping License account at Saskatchewanhal.ca before May 30 at 4:00 p.m.

"I encourage all hunters to apply early and before the deadline, make sure to review your applications to make sure you didn't make any errors because after the deadline we can't make any changes to applications," added Weiss.