CHEYENNE-- May is certainly not the time when big game hunting takes place in Wyoming, but it is the time when residents start making plans for their fall hunting trips. The month of May is the resident application period for limited quota elk, deer and antelope licenses.

The application deadline is normally May 31, but since that falls on a weekend this year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will accept applications received by 5 p.m. mountain time on June 1. The Game and Fish advises hunters that all applications must be received in the Cheyenne office by the deadline date to be entered in the drawing regardless of the postmark date.

To reduce the uncertainty of mailed applications getting in on time, license draw coordinator Aaron Pelto encourages hunters to use the online process for applying for licenses. "Online applications do away with potential delays with mail services," Pelto said.

In addition, accuracy is greatly improved with online applications. Hunters who choose to apply by mail are advised to get their applications in early to avoid possible delays. To apply online, hunters need to go to the Game and Fish Web site . Online applications are catching on with hunters. Currently, more than 60 percent of the applications are coming in online.

"Online applications can be processed faster and require less manpower," Pelto said. "Not only does this represent a significant cost saving for the Game and Fish, it also expedites the timing of the drawings."

In addition, a hunter who may have applied for an area and then changed his mind on his area selection can go into the Game and Fish Web site and modify the application online until June 12.

Pelto said that all applications, whether paper or online, must be received by the deadline date to be valid.

Hunters should be aware that some areas have quota and season changes from previous years. Big game summary maps for elk, deer and antelope, listing seasons and quotas for 2009, are now available at Game and Fish offices and license selling agents.