Post by: MR5x5 on July 29, 2025, 02:04:04 PM
idfg-rphillips
Monday, July 28, 2025 - 9:36 AM MDT
The department is switching from over the counter sales to a drawing
Fish and Game recently announced details on new nonresident drawing for deer and elk tags for 2026. The drawing replaces the traditional first-come, first-served sale that occurred online and at license and tag vendors.
Another change is nonresident hunters will have to buy a 2026 nonresident hunting license to participate in the drawing for general season deer and elk tags. There will be no refunds for unsuccessful applicants. Hunters who apply for these tags remain eligible to apply for controlled hunt tags.
Nonresident hunters should be aware of the following dates:
Drawing application period will be Dec. 5-15, 2025
Results available in early January 2026
Deadline for successful applicants to buy tags is Jan. 20
Second application period for any tags not drawn, or not purchased, will be Feb. 5-15
Results announced early March
Deadline to buy tags is March 20
Hunters interested in applying for nonresident deer and elk tags in December should check back regularly for more information on the nonresident deer/elk tag webpage. Full details on the nonresident draw process will be provided by September.
Post by: bear on July 29, 2025, 02:07:58 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on July 29, 2025, 02:11:10 PM
Post by: huntnnw on July 29, 2025, 02:45:48 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 29, 2025, 02:46:51 PM
Post by: huntnnw on July 29, 2025, 05:45:07 PM
To bad really. Hunters are our worst enemy. No one is ever happy.
Enemy ? How is this bad? Last system was complete garbage ! Unfair to a huge majority of people
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 29, 2025, 05:49:57 PM
it wasn’t perfect. Not saying that. How was it unfair? Everyone had the same chance. I could hunt Idaho every year and now I can’t. That doesn’t seem fair to me.To bad really. Hunters are our worst enemy. No one is ever happy.
Enemy ? How is this bad? Last system was complete garbage ! Unfair to a huge majority of people
Post by: bear on July 29, 2025, 06:30:10 PM
Post by: jrebel on July 29, 2025, 07:01:50 PM
Post by: bear on July 29, 2025, 07:15:32 PM
Post by: millerwheeler on July 29, 2025, 07:56:04 PM
The issue I have is with the requirement to buy a hunting license to apply
The fact is it will increase odds to show who is serious. Hunting is becoming and is almost already a rich man’s sport. Unfortunate but true. The odds will be much better I believe
Post by: kentrek on July 29, 2025, 08:11:38 PM
The issue I have is with the requirement to buy a hunting license to apply
Not many states let you apply with out buying a license
Post by: jrebel on July 29, 2025, 09:10:29 PM
Post by: huntnnw on July 29, 2025, 09:59:16 PM
The issue I have is with the requirement to buy a hunting license to apply
very few states left that dont require you to buy a license before applying, had to in ID to apply in controlled hunts. Id be for them fronting the tag fee like they do on OIL tags
Post by: huntnnw on July 29, 2025, 10:03:28 PM
it wasn’t perfect. Not saying that. How was it unfair? Everyone had the same chance. I could hunt Idaho every year and now I can’t. That doesn’t seem fair to me.To bad really. Hunters are our worst enemy. No one is ever happy.
Enemy ? How is this bad? Last system was complete garbage ! Unfair to a huge majority of people
lets see it was done in the the middle of most peoples work week and mid morning to mid day. Not everyone has the luxury of sitting on there phone or computer trying to get a tag.People lining up and buy tons of tags for people which is complete garbage. I heard of outfitters buying dozens at a time. The whole random online placement system is garbage. I dont know how many people got booted after waiting. The whole thing was a joke and glad its a draw. It makes it fair across the board. From what I have gathered nothing has changed after the draw with returned tags and return tag sales
Post by: Bo_nimrod on July 29, 2025, 11:06:12 PM
Being we are a neighboring state…..buy your license and a bear tag. If you don’t get drawn for deer or elk….go bear hunting. Win win in my opinion.Don't forget a wolf tag...
Post by: trophyhunt on July 30, 2025, 06:03:49 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on July 30, 2025, 06:40:34 AM
Post by: 2MANY on July 30, 2025, 09:17:07 AM
Welcome to the new Oregon.
Post by: elkslayer069 on July 30, 2025, 12:20:51 PM
The issue I have is with the requirement to buy a hunting license to apply
$180 is not that expensive for application as a non resident, a lot of states require a license to apply. some states give you your money back except $5. even as a Washington resident your still in it $100-$150 to apply as a resident, more like $200 if you put in for everything, and that don't guarantee anything even if you believe the magical point system, so this $180 fee gets you two draws, no app fee, get to put in for multiple units i believe and multiple species. i see this as a huge win compared to the crap system it was prior. and it may weed out a few people
Why convince folks? Sounds terrible. I hope you can’t afford it. It makes my odds better. I know I sound like a jerk but I’ll take any advantage I can get. I cant understand why people post reminders of the draw deadlines either. You might as well be stopping at the neighboring elk camp opening morning to make sure they didn’t over sleep. You wouldn’t want them to miss out…
Post by: trophyhunt on July 30, 2025, 05:53:11 PM
I can’t stand it when people post reminders about deadlines…makes no sense to me either. But, I can’t stand procrastinators.The issue I have is with the requirement to buy a hunting license to apply
$180 is not that expensive for application as a non resident, a lot of states require a license to apply. some states give you your money back except $5. even as a Washington resident your still in it $100-$150 to apply as a resident, more like $200 if you put in for everything, and that don't guarantee anything even if you believe the magical point system, so this $180 fee gets you two draws, no app fee, get to put in for multiple units i believe and multiple species. i see this as a huge win compared to the crap system it was prior. and it may weed out a few people
Why convince folks? Sounds terrible. I hope you can’t afford it. It makes my odds better. I know I sound like a jerk but I’ll take any advantage I can get. I cant understand why people post reminders of the draw deadlines either. You might as well be stopping at the neighboring elk camp opening morning to make sure they didn’t over sleep. You wouldn’t want them to miss out…
Post by: dvolmer on July 30, 2025, 10:11:48 PM
it wasn’t perfect. Not saying that. How was it unfair? Everyone had the same chance. I could hunt Idaho every year and now I can’t. That doesn’t seem fair to me.To bad really. Hunters are our worst enemy. No one is ever happy.
Enemy ? How is this bad? Last system was complete garbage ! Unfair to a huge majority of people
lets see it was done in the the middle of most peoples work week and mid morning to mid day. Not everyone has the luxury of sitting on there phone or computer trying to get a tag.People lining up and buy tons of tags for people which is complete garbage. I heard of outfitters buying dozens at a time. The whole random online placement system is garbage. I dont know how many people got booted after waiting. The whole thing was a joke and glad its a draw. It makes it fair across the board. From what I have gathered nothing has changed after the draw with returned tags and return tag sales
Well Said and I totally agree!
Post by: dilleytech on December 02, 2025, 06:25:08 PM
Post by: RB on December 02, 2025, 09:23:25 PM
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on December 02, 2025, 11:08:30 PM
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Post by: RB on December 03, 2025, 06:35:48 AM
It would absolutely be possible to be drawn for different areas. Best bet is to pick a unit you would expect to be lower demand for both and put it as 1st choice
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ok, appreciate the feedback, only hunted Idaho once back in the late 90's when getting tags was easy. We had Deer tags and saw more Elk than Deer.
Thank You
Post by: dilleytech on December 07, 2025, 09:09:45 AM
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on December 07, 2025, 09:28:56 AM
I’m a little confused, is the current Dec 5 a Dec 15 application period just for the general tags? Or general and controlled hunt tags. for elk specifically.General tags, controlled hunt period will be April for OIL and May for deer, elk, antelope
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Post by: Shawn Ryan on December 08, 2025, 02:22:28 PM
This is from the ID Fish & Game: "All first choices will be evaluated first, and tags will be issued if there is still quota available for that hunt choice. After all first choices are evaluated, the draw returns to the lowest random number application and evaluates second choices – skipping those that have already won from the first choice or where no quota is available for their second hunt choice, and issuing tags to those that have quota available for that hunt choice. That process is then repeated for the third, fourth, and fifth choices."
That is a different process from: when my number gets to the front of the line, all my choices are reviewed and I get my lowest numbered choice for a zone that still has tags available. This type of draw encourages me to rank my choices from best hunt to fifth worst, with some incentive to include a zone that is more likely to have tags available later in the draw.
The Idaho process makes a difference in how a guy chooses which hunts to apply for. It discourages me from choosing my favorite/best units as choices 1,2,3, etc. because those zones are likely to all be drawn as someone else's first choice. Thus, I think I should rank a mid-range hunt fairly high in my choices, so that when my number is called, I have a better chance of drawing a tag.
Put my first choice as a hard-to-draw hunt with my second choice as a mid-range hunt or put the mid-range as my first choice or choose all great zones for all my choices?
Thoughts, opinions, or comments? Not asking for which zone you'd choose, just asking if anyone is willing to share their basic strategy.
Post by: Shawn Ryan on December 08, 2025, 02:25:01 PM
Unlike some others, I like helping hunters draw tags, even if it degrades my own chances. Different strokes.
Post by: kentrek on December 08, 2025, 02:46:41 PM
Strategy question for ID non-res elk draw:
The Idaho process makes a difference in how a guy chooses which hunts to apply for. It discourages me from choosing my favorite/best units as choices 1,2,3, etc. because those zones are likely to all be drawn as someone else's first choice. Thus, I think I should rank a mid-range hunt fairly high in my choices, so that when my number is called, I have a better chance of drawing a tag.
Put my first choice as a hard-to-draw hunt with my second choice as a mid-range hunt or put the mid-range as my first choice or choose all great zones for all my choices?
Thoughts, opinions, or comments? Not asking for which zone you'd choose, just asking if anyone is willing to share their basic strategy.
Its up to the hunter with no real wrong way beings its a random...youl never get a high demand tag if its not your 1st choice in this 1st round...dont forget theres 2 rounds.. lot of people are gona try to force a tag and then realise they should put in for wyomimg instead lol im only going to apply for 1 unit in both draws because my #2 choice is a different state
Post by: Craig on December 11, 2025, 04:58:50 PM
Post by: JDArms1240 on December 11, 2025, 05:59:34 PM
Decided to try the new draw system. Trying to decide if I want to pick a deer unit for better deer hunting . Or pick a deer unit that has more wolfs for the minuscule chance of running into one during deer hunting. I would definitely like to blast a wolf. If I even draw anything.
This year I bought a wolf tag, just in case. Didn’t expect to see one, figure the odds gotta be pretty low. Well I saw 5! Never got a shot opportunity cause every one I saw was on the move like it had somewhere to be. From now on I will buy a wolf tag any time I hunt Idaho!
Post by: trophyhunt on December 16, 2025, 06:16:06 AM
Post by: bear on December 16, 2025, 06:36:02 AM
Post by: Chesapeake on December 16, 2025, 07:12:11 AM
Strategy question for ID non-res elk draw:
This is from the ID Fish & Game: "All first choices will be evaluated first, and tags will be issued if there is still quota available for that hunt choice. After all first choices are evaluated, the draw returns to the lowest random number application and evaluates second choices – skipping those that have already won from the first choice or where no quota is available for their second hunt choice, and issuing tags to those that have quota available for that hunt choice. That process is then repeated for the third, fourth, and fifth choices."
That is a different process from: when my number gets to the front of the line, all my choices are reviewed and I get my lowest numbered choice for a zone that still has tags available. This type of draw encourages me to rank my choices from best hunt to fifth worst, with some incentive to include a zone that is more likely to have tags available later in the draw.
The Idaho process makes a difference in how a guy chooses which hunts to apply for. It discourages me from choosing my favorite/best units as choices 1,2,3, etc. because those zones are likely to all be drawn as someone else's first choice. Thus, I think I should rank a mid-range hunt fairly high in my choices, so that when my number is called, I have a better chance of drawing a tag.
Put my first choice as a hard-to-draw hunt with my second choice as a mid-range hunt or put the mid-range as my first choice or choose all great zones for all my choices?
Thoughts, opinions, or comments? Not asking for which zone you'd choose, just asking if anyone is willing to share their basic strategy.
After this year folks will have a better idea. As it stands Id say if you draw a low number you have decent odds of drawing a good first choice. After that its hard to say. If there are 50k pluss applicants like the prior years log in’s would indicate, then most tags would go in the first run through. Could end up very few hunts could be drawn as a second or third choice.
They wait for the redraw after folks dont purchase the tags.
Post by: pd on December 16, 2025, 10:21:46 AM
They wait for the redraw after folks dont purchase the tags.
[/quote]
Yeah, it is really going to be interesting to see what happens on the 1st draw. Personally, I don't for a moment believe there were ever 50k applicants in the old system. Here is my guess: Once non-residents realized they would be out $200 if they didn't draw, I think a lot of hunters sat on their hands. My gut says there will be far fewer applicants than you might think.
But, to be perfectly honest, nobody really knows. It will be an interesting draw, for sure.
Post by: trophyhunt on December 16, 2025, 11:12:10 AM
Post by: 2MANY on December 16, 2025, 11:25:24 AM
LMAO!!!!
Post by: jrebel on December 16, 2025, 11:25:57 AM
The above said......I have had buddies back out of hunts if they didn't draw. That sucked and isn't really my style so I avoid putting in with those guys....especially with the expectation that if one draws we both go.
Post by: HereDuckyDucky on December 16, 2025, 12:19:00 PM
RW
Post by: Mtnwalker on December 16, 2025, 12:48:48 PM
Post by: jrebel on December 16, 2025, 01:33:28 PM
:yeah: as do most. If you never apply as a group and you go on every hunt that somebody else draws you either have way more PTO than most or you're not applying for very many hunts. I'd never expect my buddies to burn a week of PTO and their season to go be a tagless helper unless I drew something really good, group apps are a good tool for certain situations.
Other scenario / situation......I don't have that many buddies I hunt with!!! :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
I am more fortunate than most when it comes to annual PTO. I also hunt with guys that are mostly retired, so that also solves a lot of problems. I could care less if I'm the trigger puller and look for excuses to be hunting (glassing, packing, camping, etc. etc.) I've spent two trips in Alberta as a non hunter helping my son and buddy get their moose, some of the best hunts of my life!
I totally get applying as a group, and we have at times. More often than not, we hope one or two of the group draw a decent tag and we all enjoy the fruits of their luck for the year.
Post by: 3nails on December 16, 2025, 03:12:31 PM
Post by: pickardjw on December 16, 2025, 03:20:08 PM
Over 108,500 in the que.
LMAO!!!!
Imagine it's the amount of users that have accessed the portal.
I did and got counted even though I didn't apply. Controlled only for me this year. Just logged in to see how it worked. Buddy accessed it 5 times before finalizing his app, imagine he got counted 5 times.
Post by: kselkhunter on December 16, 2025, 04:27:08 PM
Post by: addicted1 on December 16, 2025, 05:06:34 PM
Correct, we will find out the demand soon enough. I think most people will surprised at the over interest and demand now. I know plenty of people that applied for their first time.
Post by: yogru on December 16, 2025, 06:31:02 PM
:yeah:
Correct, we will find out the demand soon enough. I think most people will surprised at the over interest and demand now. I know plenty of people that applied for their first time.
I'm one of them. I've always just bought a hunting license to be able to apply for the LE tags. But with the changes this year, a work buddy and I applied for deer and elk as partners. Excited to see if we get drawn for either.
Post by: Westsideelkchaser on December 16, 2025, 06:52:09 PM
Post by: huntnnw on December 16, 2025, 09:54:33 PM
:yeah:
Correct, we will find out the demand soon enough. I think most people will surprised at the over interest and demand now. I know plenty of people that applied for their first time.
also lots not applying cause of the non refundable $204