[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Robotic

I was also wanting to get into hunting this year. I received my PAL a month ago. If you're planning on getting your gun licence I suggest you get it sooner than later. It took about 3 months to receive the card from the time I mailed everything out - after completing the exam.

Next step for me is the hunters ed. I'm curious how the lottery ticketing process works. Should I figure out where I want to hunt before I start putting my name into the draws? Anyone know someone or a network of people where one can shadow from a hunter. I have friends/family that hunt, but live in Grande Prairie, and I'd prefer to stay closer to the Calgary area (couple hours from the city).

First of all, it's not a lottery per se. It's a priority system, they start with everyone with the highest priority, issue tags to them and work their way down. Once they get to a priorty level that has more applicants than there are tags available, then it's a random draw.

And yes, you do need to figure out where you want to hunt first.
You can only be drawn for a single WMU (Wildlife Management Unit), which all have a specific number of tags/species. When you put in for your draws you have to specify which WMU you are applying, though you do get to put in your second and third choice.

Of course you can always just get your general white tail tag which for the most part is good for anywhere in the province (though there are some restrictions so make sure you know where/what you're allowed to shoot).