Why are some hunting opportunities balloted?
Balloted hunting is a system designed to provide hunting opportunities in an equitable manner where hunter numbers must be strictly controlled to either regulate hunting activity or to regulate the harvest or both. Under a balloted system, prospective hunters enter a draw from which a limited number are selected to participate in the hunt. The number of hunters selected is determined by the number of animals that can be harvested without threatening the sustainability of the local populations. A balloted hunt allows managers to determine where and when hunts occur, the number of hunters and specific harvest composition to achieve the desired population management objectives. Balloted hunting provides a level of control over hunting that may not be afforded by common management methods. Balloted hunts also provide greater control where unrestricted hunting activity could pose safety concerns for the general public, including other hunters.
