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!