2026 Big Game Lottery Information & FAQs
2026 Big Game Lottery
For the 2026 Big Game Season, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will use a lottery system for Deer, Antelope, and Elk licenses. The lottery uses a weighted system that allows hunters who are unsuccessful in previous drawings to accumulate additional points, increasing their chances in future drawings.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe uses the following multiplier system:
| Years of Unsuccessful Applications | Points | Number of Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | 4 | 13 |
| 4 | 5 | 21 |
| 5 | 6 | 31 |
| 6 | 7 | 43 |
| 7 | 8 | 57 |
| 8 | 9 | 73 |
| 9 | 10 | 91 |
| 10 | 11 | 111 |
How the Weighted Lottery Works
For example, in the fifth year, a hunter would have 4 accumulated points. The lottery calculation squares the number of points and then adds the number of years applied:
4² + 5 = 21 chances
Therefore, the hunter would have 21 entries in the lottery, increasing the likelihood of being selected.
The maximum number of accumulated points a hunter can acquire is 10, which provides 111 chances in the lottery.
Additional Lottery Points
Hunters may purchase or apply additional points up to five times during the application process. These additional chances can be particularly beneficial for first-time applicants or hunters who were recently selected in a previous drawing.
Important: Purchased or additional points are added only to the current year's application. They do not carry over from one year to the next.
Group Applications
Hunters are encouraged to consider applying as a group. Under the group lottery system, if one member of the group is selected, the entire group is awarded, provided the group was entered correctly during the application process.
Group Size
For the 2026 lottery, the maximum group size has increased to six (6) hunters.
Group Lottery Application Process
First Member to Apply
The first person in the group to submit an application will be asked:
Is this a group application?
Answer: Yes
Are you the first to apply?
Answer: Yes
The applicant may select between 1 and 5 lottery chances. If the applicant selects 5 chances, the system will provide five separate Group Lottery IDs.
The first applicant must provide all five Group Lottery IDs to the remaining members of the group.
Additional Group Members
Each additional member of the group will be asked:
Is this a group application?
Answer: Yes
Are you the first to apply?
Answer: No
The applicant will then be prompted to enter a Group Lottery ID.
Enter the first Group Lottery ID provided by the first applicant. This process must then be repeated for each of the remaining Group Lottery IDs, one at a time, until all five IDs have been entered.
Example
If every member of a group selects five lottery chances and all five Group Lottery IDs are entered correctly, the members of the group will be entered into five separate group lottery pools.
If the group is selected in any one of those five lottery pools, the entire group will be awarded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What species are included in the 2026 Big Game Lottery?
The 2026 lottery applies to Deer, Antelope, and Elk.
What is the maximum number of accumulated points?
A hunter may accumulate a maximum of 10 points, which provides 111 chances in the lottery.
Do purchased or additional points carry over to future years?
No. Purchased or additional points apply only to the current year's application and do not carry over to future lottery years.
How many people can be in a group?
The maximum group size for the 2026 lottery is six (6) people.
What happens if one person in our group is selected?
If the group was entered correctly, all members of the group are awarded when one member is selected.
What if I cannot log in to my account?
If you have applied in previous years and are unable to log in, do not create a duplicate profile. Creating a new profile may prevent your previous lottery points from being properly associated with your account and could affect your lottery chances.
If you cannot access your existing account, contact the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Game & Fish Department at 701-854-7236 for assistance.
What happens if I was awarded a tag in 2025 but did not claim it?
If you were awarded a tag in 2025 but failed to claim it, you lose the lottery points accumulated from previous years.
Important Reminders
- Apply using your existing profile if you have applied in previous years.
- Do not create a duplicate profile if you cannot log in.
- When applying as a group, make sure all Group Lottery IDs are entered correctly.
- Group applications may include up to six hunters.
- Additional lottery chances purchased for the current application do not carry over to future years.
- If you cannot access your account, contact the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Game & Fish Department at 701-854-7236.