Idaho non resident tag quotas for 2021

[bearpaw]

I am told it was done this way to spread non-resident pressure evenly across the state. Some units were over run with non-resident hunters while some units had as little as 3% non-resident hunters. The allocations are meant to put 10% to 15% nonresidents in each deer unit or elk zone. Overall there was no change in the statewide quotas for non-residents.

[Pegasus]

I am told it was done this way to spread non-resident pressure evenly across the state. Some units were over run with non-resident hunters while some units had as little as 3% non-resident hunters. The allocations are meant to put 10% to 15% nonresidents in each deer unit or elk zone. Overall there was no change in the statewide quotas for non-residents.

Thanks. That's an awfully nice way of telling non-residents that where they will be hunting has fewer animals or the terrain is difficult to access. Hunters normally pick units where the game resides and don't pick areas where there is little or no game to be had.

[vandeman17]

I am told it was done this way to spread non-resident pressure evenly across the state. Some units were over run with non-resident hunters while some units had as little as 3% non-resident hunters. The allocations are meant to put 10% to 15% nonresidents in each deer unit or elk zone. Overall there was no change in the statewide quotas for non-residents.

This might be fine for people who have an area that they know and like but I see people who are trying to learn Idaho being at a disadvantage. Oh well, those are the rules and we have to play by them

[Naches Sportsman]

Non residents may be bitter about it right now, but this is a good thing going forward. Hopefully it will put less pressure on the deer in some units and will lower hunter density. I haven't dealt with other hunters since moving to a remote area for deer with less hunters overall and have had a way better experience.


That being said, I'm glad I bought the lifetime resident license before my job moved me to another state. I'd have a difficult time picking between the 4 units I have in mind for mule deer if I was a non resident trying to get my tag locked in for December 1.

[JBar]

Well maybe if they do this for a year they'll finally realize the overcrowding is more new idaho residents than it is non residents.

[Reidus]

Well maybe if they do this for a year they'll finally realize the overcrowding is more new idaho residents than it is non residents.

I thought the same thing but the license sales aren't really up the last couple years like you'd think. Maybe the residents are spending more days hunting.

[7mmfan]

Just curious, the units with low tag numbers is that because there are low Elk numbers, or more residents that want to hunt it?

From what I saw, they didn't adjust any elk quotas. The new unit restriction is only applicable to deer tags.

The established tag numbers per unit by looking at a 5 year average of how many hunters reported hunting that unit and then applied a quota that was 10%-15% of that number for non resident tags. As far as I can tell, it has nothing to do with game population.

[Reidus]

They put a cap on every elk zone. Previously there wasn't a cap on some zones.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Non residents may be bitter about it right now, but this is a good thing going forward. Hopefully it will put less pressure on the deer in some units and will lower hunter density. I haven't dealt with other hunters since moving to a remote area for deer with less hunters overall and have had a way better experience.


That being said, I'm glad I bought the lifetime resident license before my job moved me to another state. I'd have a difficult time picking between the 4 units I have in mind for mule deer if I was a non resident trying to get my tag locked in for December 1.

My understanding is that you still have to buy a non resident tag, so you would still be screwed. I could be wrong tho, I'll look that up.

[Limhangerslayer]

 

Well maybe if they do this for a year they'll finally realize the overcrowding is more new idaho residents than it is non residents.

[fishngamereaper]

Well bummer..

[Pegasus]

Limits to nonresident participation in general season hunts go into effect for 2021 season

LEWISTON — The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Nov. 20 approved changes to nonresident participation in general season deer and elk hunts to address concerns from residents about hunter congestion in some areas. Starting 2021, nonresident hunters in most general season elk and deer hunts will be limited to 10 or 15 percent of the total hunters in each elk zone or deer unit based on hunter participation estimates averaged over the last five years. The new limits do not apply to capped elk zones.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/fg-commission-approves-changes-nonresident-participation-general-season-deer-and-elk-hunts

[Pegasus]

Just curious, the units with low tag numbers is that because there are low Elk numbers, or more residents that want to hunt it?

From what I saw, they didn't adjust any elk quotas. The new unit restriction is only applicable to deer tags.

The established tag numbers per unit by looking at a 5 year average of how many hunters reported hunting that unit and then applied a quota that was 10%-15% of that number for non resident tags. As far as I can tell, it has nothing to do with game population.

“Nonresident A tags in some elk zones will be reduced by more than 50 percent.” Animal populations control where hunters go. More deer and elk equals more hunters.

[Naches Sportsman]

Non residents may be bitter about it right now, but this is a good thing going forward. Hopefully it will put less pressure on the deer in some units and will lower hunter density. I haven't dealt with other hunters since moving to a remote area for deer with less hunters overall and have had a way better experience.


That being said, I'm glad I bought the lifetime resident license before my job moved me to another state. I'd have a difficult time picking between the 4 units I have in mind for mule deer if I was a non resident trying to get my tag locked in for December 1.

My understanding is that you still have to buy a non resident tag, so you would still be screwed. I could be wrong tho, I'll look that up.

Purchasing a lifetime license guarantees you resident draw odds and also tags come out of the resident quota. With that though, if you move out of Idaho, you have to pay non resident tag and fee prices. I'm only deer hunting in Idaho in 2021 unless I move back or draw an antelope tag so it won't hurt the bank account too bad.

Hoping I'll be able to get back to Idaho or even move to Montana this spring.

[meatwhack]

That’ll be interesting to see how that works with the lifetime license because it is still a nonresident tag even though you’re guaranteed one. I’d bet you have to choose a unit.