With a rifle, a computer, and a bit of luck, you could be bagging a moose this year.

Saskatchewan's online big game draw opens today, (May 1st), and continues until May 25th. The draw includes licences for moose, elk, pronghorn antelope, either-sex mule deer, and anterless mule deer.

Last year, we were more than 92,000 applications received in the big game draws

"We're looking forward to significant interest." said Chuck Lees, Saskatchewan's Wildlife Manager. "Each year, we see the number of hunters climbing, applying. Last year, we were more than 92,000 applications received in the big game draws."

The previous year, according to Lees, there were 72,000 applications.

The Department of Environment recommends hunters get their applications in early, to avoid crashing the online system, and to use the online residency verification system. Last year, there were 11,000 applications on the final day of the draw.

Hunters can also use the online facility to review results from previous years, to help in select hunting choices that will improve their chances of being drawn.

Lees said larger quotas for moose continue this year, especially in areas where they pose more of a hazard to motorists. "In a more general sense, there's moose quotas across pretty much all of southern Saskatchewan, as well as in the forest." added Lees. "But, those areas along major highways, and this year in eastern Saskatchewan, that's where we're putting the highest quotas".

The government's online computer program handles hunting, angling, and trapping licences, and goes by the acronym HAL. It is available to hunters who want to submit, review, or update their applications. They can also check the pool status history, and purchase a draw licence.

The same computer system will provide the results of the hunting draw for all except pronghorn by mid-June. Pronghorn results are available in July.

Anybody needing help with the draw application system can contact 1-888-773-8450. Or, for more information, CLICK HERE.