This works because the Dept changed their licensing to a 365 day license, and the app ending period is tied to a week day (Tuesday) rather than a date, and that day moves forward every year till it resets back.
This years Elk app closing date is Feb 4. If your license has expired, go into your portal and purchase the license. You can do this prior to the application period actually being open. Scroll to the btm of the main page, select "account login" then log in if you have an account, then pick licenses from the "azgfd apps" drop down located upper right. When prompted, select the "starting date" to Feb 4 2025. After paying, write down the license number, then "print" the license, choosing a PDF instead of a paper printer. This will allow you to save the license to your 2025 hunting folder and you can print to paper at any time.
Now that you know your license number you can apply. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL FEB 4 TO APPLY, EVEN THOUGH THE LICENSE IS TECHNICALLY NOT VALID UNTIL THEN. Go into the application portion, fill in all the boxes, and at the "license" box, type in your new license number. Follow the prompts and finish the process. MAKE DOUBLE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT HUNT CODES. Your license and application receipts will be emailed to you from SUPPORT@CYBERSOURCE. The license receipt will have the license number at the very bottom, the application receipt will have the hunt codes listed at the top. Print them out.
It will take a few days to see the application in your portal because the portal and app modules are not directly connected. That is also why you need to enter your SSN every time you apply.
If you only apply for Elk, the license starting on Feb 4 2025, will still be valid on the ending date in 2026, which will be Feb 3. If you apply for both Elk and Deer, your new license will be valid for 2025 Elk, 2025 Deer, and 2026 Elk. You would then buy a new license for 2026 Deer and it would cover 2027 Elk and 2027 Deer. The Dept presents the tag application schedules at the August Commission meeting every year, so you can get the closing dates way before you need to buy a license.
The Loyalty Point is awarded after 5 "valid applications" (not draws). On the 5th year of applying, you will go into the app period with 4 species points. After submitting and paying for the 5th application, and BEFORE the draw (the app period closes prior to the draw), you will have made 5 "valid applications" and the dept will award you the species Loyalty Point, BEFORE THE DRAW. So, at the time of the draw, you will have 4 species points, and 1 species loyalty point, giving you 5. After the draw, the dept will award the tag or another species point. They award points twice per year, so they don't show up for a few months.
