The season to apply for the West’s highest-quality, limited-entry big game tags for 2023 is upon us. Watch as WTA TAGS Consultant Erik Schell lays out his strategy to apply for elk hunting this year, as well as making long-term plans to be successful in draws in the future.
Contact our consultants at WTA TAGS and we’ll be happy to talk about your goals and apply you for elk hunting in the states of your choice. Call us at 800-755-8247 today.
With the 2026 WTA TAGS application season officially underway—marked by Alaska’s upcoming December 15 application deadline—it’s time to examine your strategy for the year ahead. At WTA TAGS, our goal is simple: to help you realize your hunting dreams. We can assist you in drawing high-quality limited-entry big game tags across the West, and help you build valuable preference/bonus points for the future!
WTA TAGS isn’t just a license application service provider. We’re a team of seasoned consultants and avid western big-game sportsmen who live and breathe this process every day. Our expertise allows us to build and manage your personalized strategy aligned to your unique goals. Whether you’re aiming to hit it big and draw a coveted bighorn sheep tag, build points for a dream elk or mule deer hunt, or secure annual opportunities to keep you in the field, we can help.
Every hunter’s situation is different, and every state’s draw system is unique. That’s where we come in. We study these systems so you don’t have to. From understanding point structures and random draws to identifying hidden gems with better odds and trophy potential, our team ensures your name is in the right hat for the right reasons.
The days of juggling credit-card charges, spreadsheets, usernames, and passwords are over. WTA TAGS handles every aspect of the application process so you can focus on what really matters—planning your next adventure.
Our tag-fee float eliminates the financial burden of fronting thousands of dollars in state tag fees (for those states that require payment for the tag upfront). We pay the tag cost on your behalf and manage the process from start to finish. When your application is in our hands, you can rest easy knowing every deadline is met, every form is correct, and every point is tracked accurately.
It’s hard to put into words what WTA consultant Mike Mason meant to WTA. He was far from “just a consultant” or a butt in a seat here. He was family. He was reliable in every sense of the word: a steady hand, a loyal friend, and the kind of person who brought warmth and laughter wherever he went. Mike lived his life with quiet strength, humility, and genuine kindness that touched everyone around him.
Born on October 20, 1963, in Kearney, Nebraska, Mike grew up with an undeniable zest for life. He was an athlete, a musician, and above all, a friend to many. After graduating from Sidney High School in 1982, he began what became a lifelong career tied to the outdoors.
Mike spent 35 years at Cabela’s, working his way up from the loading dock to purchasing agent, a role where his passion for fishing found a perfect home. Later, he joined Worldwide Trophy Adventures, where he continued to share his expertise, humor, and heart with his colleagues and clients.
Mike passed away on October 5, 2025, just shy of his 62nd birthday. His life was full, rich with friendships, family, and a love for nature, golf, and Nebraska athletics. He lived independently but never alone, surrounded by the community and people who meant the most to him.
At WTA, Mike was more than a coworker. He was a friend, mentor, and bright spot in every day. We hope that sharing these reflections helps you feel just how special Mike was to our WTA family and how much he will be missed.
Among all of us, perhaps no one shared a closer friendship with Mike than Jason Berger. The two worked side by side for years and shared an easy camaraderie that could fill any room. Jason’s words, both spoken at Mike’s service and written in a letter to his friend, capture not only who Mike was but how deeply he is missed.
