Applications should be mailed to LRB at P.O. Box 989035, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9035. People may also deliver applications in person to LRB's office at 3211 S Street, Sacramento. Blank applications for antelope, elk and bighorn sheep can be found in DFG's annual "Big Game Hunting" booklet, available at DFG offices and license agents statewide, or printed off the Department's Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/index.html. Each hunter is limited to one application per species and each application must include a $6.50 processing cost for each person listed. Deer tag applications must be purchased in advance at DFG offices or through license agents.

"Our receipt of applications for last year's big game drawings increased slightly over the previous year's numbers," said Karen Madrigal, with the Department's LRB. She said that by last year's drawing deadline, LRB had received nearly 78,500 applications for all big game drawings. Of those, more than 44,700 were for premium deer tag drawings for X zones, Additional Hunts and Area-specific Archery Hunts — an increase of almost 12,700 total applicants since 1996.

This is in contrast to overall deer tag sales, including those issued on a first-come, first-served basis until tag quotas fill, which have actually declined by more than 10,000 applications during the same time period.

Madrigal attributed California's increased drawing applications to the statewide mailing of the Department's big game booklet. The publication was mailed earlier this month to all hunters who entered the big game drawing over the last two years. It is also available at license agents across the state.

Automated drawings will be conducted by June 14, and successful applicants will be notified by mail. Beginning June 25, the drawing results will be available by phone during regular working hours at most DFG offices, and can also be accessed on the Internet.