Post by: Machias on September 13, 2025, 07:52:44 AM
Idaho Fish and Game has announced that starting with the 2026 hunting season, nonresident general season deer and elk tags will no longer be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, they will be issued through a new application and draw system. A separate draw will also be held for Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
💵 License & Tag Costs
All nonresidents must first buy a hunting license to apply, which costs $185 plus a $10 access and depredation fee. This license is NON-REFUNDABLE, even if you are unsuccessful in the draw.
Current tag and permit prices include:
Deer tag: $351.75
Elk tag: $651.75
Archery or muzzleloader permit: $81.75
Moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat tag: $2,626.75
DAV deer tag: $23.75
DAV elk tag: $39.75
📅 Application Timeline for 2026
Dec. 5–15, 2025: First application period (Nonresident & DAV)
Early January 2026: First results announced
Jan. 20, 2026: Deadline to claim tags from first draw (except DAV)
Feb. 5–15, 2026: Second application period (Nonresident only)
Early March 2026: Second results announced
March 20, 2026: Final deadline to claim all awarded tags, including DAV
👥 Who Must Apply?
All nonresidents seeking general season deer or elk tags.
DAV hunters, who may apply in both the DAV draw and the general draw but can only claim one tag per species if successful in both. DAV elk tags will only be available in uncapped zones unless applying in the general draw at full nonresident prices.
Junior mentored hunters only need to apply if pursuing a capped elk zone. Regular and white-tailed deer tags and uncapped elk tags remain unlimited for youth.
Former Idaho residents with lifetime licenses do not need to apply. They may purchase general season tags from the resident quota starting in late June or early July.
⚠️ Additional Details
No application fee will be charged for the 2026 draw, though this may change in the future.
Tags issued in this draw are general season tags and do not affect a hunter’s ability to apply for controlled hunts.
Each draw application allows up to five hunt choices.
Hunter education is required for anyone born after 1974, and archery certification is required for archery hunters.
If a hunter applies in both the DAV and general draw and wins both, they must pick one tag — they cannot keep both.
Junior mentored hunters will still have unlimited opportunities for deer and uncapped elk tags after the draw is complete.
📖 What’s Next
The 2026 Nonresident Supplement and the updated Big Game Seasons and Rules will be available in October 2025. These publications will list hunt numbers for each unit and zone, including capped and uncapped zones, so hunters know exactly what they can apply for.
Hunters are advised to:
Review the upcoming 2026 supplement and rules carefully.
Decide in advance which zones or units they want to hunt.
Keep their GoOutdoorsIdaho.com account updated with current email and mailing addresses.
Plan ahead financially, as licenses are required to apply and are non-refundable.
This change represents one of the biggest shifts in years for Idaho’s nonresident hunters. With high demand and limited quotas, Fish and Game says the new system is designed to ensure fairer distribution of tags. Hunters planning Idaho trips in 2026 should prepare early, know the rules, and be ready to apply when the draw opens in December 2025.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on September 14, 2025, 09:07:15 AM
Post by: greenhead_killer on September 14, 2025, 09:21:24 AM
Post by: Buckhunter24 on September 14, 2025, 06:04:37 PM
I sure screwed up not buying a lifetime license when I was a resident :cryriver:
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 14, 2025, 06:42:45 PM
Post by: Gentrys on September 14, 2025, 07:45:42 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on September 15, 2025, 05:45:39 AM
Post by: HvyHorn338 on September 15, 2025, 07:46:47 AM
Post by: pd on September 15, 2025, 11:04:14 AM
I know some guys knew how to play the game well and got their tags every year, I do feel bed for them. But now I can try to plan a late whitetail hunt or go back to my favorite elk spots with a couple good friends, now we can put in as a group and see. I like this change only because I know the old way is never coming back, the old way, we used to buy our elk tags in orofino at the grocery store as we headed to camp.... those were the days...
You're not the only one.
Not the general store in Orofino, but basically the same.
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 15, 2025, 11:15:29 AM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 15, 2025, 11:24:38 AM
I know some guys knew how to play the game well and got their tags every year, I do feel bed for them. But now I can try to plan a late whitetail hunt or go back to my favorite elk spots with a couple good friends, now we can put in as a group and see. I like this change only because I know the old way is never coming back, the old way, we used to buy our elk tags in orofino at the grocery store as we headed to camp.... those were the days...
You're not the only one.
Not the general store in Orofino, but basically the same.
:yeah: And 2 deer tags at that. Ah the good ol' days :chuckle:
Post by: TriggerMike on September 15, 2025, 12:43:47 PM
What's the max group size?Max group size is 4.
I sure screwed up not buying a lifetime license when I was a resident :cryriver:
Post by: TriggerMike on September 15, 2025, 12:50:03 PM
Post by: HvyHorn338 on September 15, 2025, 01:54:45 PM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
Post by: Buckhunter24 on September 15, 2025, 02:20:57 PM
What's the max group size?Max group size is 4.
I sure screwed up not buying a lifetime license when I was a resident :cryriver:
Cool, thanks. I thought 4 might be the number
Post by: Buckhunter24 on September 15, 2025, 02:22:10 PM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
I'm not sure if people whined or if idfg saw a chance to increase revenue through the license purchase requirement..
Post by: pickardjw on September 15, 2025, 02:32:10 PM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
I'm not sure if people whined or if idfg saw a chance to increase revenue through the license purchase requirement..
There was a lotttt of whining going on. Both by non-res who didn't like the in-person loophole among other things and residents.
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 15, 2025, 02:38:40 PM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
I'm not sure if people whined or if idfg saw a chance to increase revenue through the license purchase requirement..
They were flooded with complaints multiple years in a row, we all saw this coming. I'm guessing this was an "OK, you don't like our system well here ya go" reaction
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 15, 2025, 02:56:21 PM
Post by: JDArms1240 on September 15, 2025, 04:03:35 PM
What's the max group size?
I sure screwed up not buying a lifetime license when I was a resident :cryriver:
I feel this so much! :bash: Why did I not buy a lifetime license while I was there, I even kicked around the idea and ultimately decided not too. Boy if I had known!
Post by: Magnum_Willys on September 15, 2025, 04:53:22 PM
2 guys, they bought tags on way over and again after using those up.
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on September 15, 2025, 05:25:50 PM
They used a machete to fix a problem that needed a scalpel :twocents:
That's for sure.
Post by: trophyhunt on September 15, 2025, 08:11:32 PM
The good ol days in Idaho.man I wish I could find my old pics of the old days, my hunting partner and I were 100% on elk for 4 or 5 years straight, one year I got two bulls.
2 guys, they bought tags on way over and again after using those up.
Post by: TriggerMike on September 15, 2025, 09:57:44 PM
They used a machete to fix a problem that needed a scalpel :twocents:What would you have done to fix things if it were your call? Genuinely curious.
Post by: CarbonHunter on September 16, 2025, 09:30:05 AM
They used a machete to fix a problem that needed a scalpel :twocents:What would you have done to fix things if it were your call? Genuinely curious.
If it were me I would have changed the deer zones to match the elk zones and made all sales final so no refunds for people who change their minds later. And left it OTC.
If they want to stick with the draw I would still do what I said above and make you not only buy the license but front the cost of the tag like Montana does.
This would weed out the opportunity buyers and make less competition for the serious year in year out hunters that travel to Idaho.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 16, 2025, 11:05:14 AM
In additional, splitting online and in person sales somehow might have prevented some of the frustration. We don't see it as much here be cause everyone here is only a day off work away from a tag. A dude from Wisconsin doesnt have the same luxury.
Post by: pickardjw on September 16, 2025, 12:29:21 PM
2. Provide an option for parties to get the same queue number
3. In person loophole restricted to direct family only
That’s all I would have proposed. Maybe base license purchase before being eligible.
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 16, 2025, 03:13:20 PM
1. Require login before entering queuedon’t matter it’s a done deal.
2. Provide an option for parties to get the same queue number
3. In person loophole restricted to direct family only
That’s all I would have proposed. Maybe base license purchase before being eligible.
Post by: TriggerMike on September 16, 2025, 03:48:24 PM
They used a machete to fix a problem that needed a scalpel :twocents:What would you have done to fix things if it were your call? Genuinely curious.
If it were me I would have changed the deer zones to match the elk zones and made all sales final so no refunds for people who change their minds later. And left it OTC.
If they want to stick with the draw I would still do what I said above and make you not only buy the license but front the cost of the tag like Montana does.
This would weed out the opportunity buyers and make less competition for the serious year in year out hunters that travel to Idaho.
I agree with that they should have made it like Montana where you front tag cost and don't get refunded if drawn. I'm with you on making it better for the serious non-res Idaho hunters.
Post by: millerwheeler on September 16, 2025, 07:16:21 PM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
I'm not sure if people whined or if idfg saw a chance to increase revenue through the license purchase requirement..
There was a lotttt of whining going on. Both by non-res who didn't like the in-person loophole among other things and residents.
IN PERSON WAS NOT A LOOP HOLE IT WAS JUST EXTRA EFFORT
Post by: pickardjw on September 16, 2025, 10:53:23 PM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
I'm not sure if people whined or if idfg saw a chance to increase revenue through the license purchase requirement..
There was a lotttt of whining going on. Both by non-res who didn't like the in-person loophole among other things and residents.
IN PERSON WAS NOT A LOOP HOLE IT WAS JUST EXTRA EFFORT
Two things can be true at once
Post by: Machias on September 17, 2025, 07:41:06 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 17, 2025, 07:51:56 AM
Just another FYI, at least in my area, Unit 5 we are having a pretty bad die off due to EHD. Found 6 deer this week, couple of really nice bucks.thats brutal. Glad I didn’t grab any panhandle tags. I’m curious if fish and game will offer refunds.
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 17, 2025, 08:20:26 AM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
I'm not sure if people whined or if idfg saw a chance to increase revenue through the license purchase requirement..
There was a lotttt of whining going on. Both by non-res who didn't like the in-person loophole among other things and residents.
IN PERSON WAS NOT A LOOP HOLE IT WAS JUST EXTRA EFFORT
When dealers are taking money to cut the line and purchase tags for entire lists of people who are not there, that is a loophole. When residents are getting paid to go stand in line for guys who never had to leave their house, that is a loophole. The system was broken any way you spin it, just unfortunate that the result was yet another draw
Post by: Broomd on September 17, 2025, 09:49:03 AM
Just another FYI, at least in my area, Unit 5 we are having a pretty bad die off due to EHD. Found 6 deer this week, couple of really nice bucks.
Wow! Sorry to read this!
Post by: Brushbuster on September 17, 2025, 11:38:14 AM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
I'm not sure if people whined or if idfg saw a chance to increase revenue through the license purchase requirement..
There was a lotttt of whining going on. Both by non-res who didn't like the in-person loophole among other things and residents.
IN PERSON WAS NOT A LOOP HOLE IT WAS JUST EXTRA EFFORT
When dealers are taking money to cut the line and purchase tags for entire lists of people who are not there, that is a loophole. When residents are getting paid to go stand in line for guys who never had to leave their house, that is a loophole. The system was broken any way you spin it, just unfortunate that the result was yet another draw
Well said, I couldn't agree more!!! :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:
Post by: harveymarv on September 17, 2025, 06:29:16 PM
It's unfortunate to see it go this way. :bash:I agree. The system sucked but I got to hunt Idaho every year. Now if I don’t get drawn I’ll have to do a bear hunt.
I agree the system did suck but anyone and everyone still had a very good opportunity to hunt Idaho yearly with a little planning/preparation in advance, and/or be willing to make adjustments as needed, like you mentioned. It sucks to see the "It's not fair crowd" get this win.
I'm not sure if people whined or if idfg saw a chance to increase revenue through the license purchase requirement..
There was a lotttt of whining going on. Both by non-res who didn't like the in-person loophole among other things and residents.
IN PERSON WAS NOT A LOOP HOLE IT WAS JUST EXTRA EFFORT
When dealers are taking money to cut the line and purchase tags for entire lists of people who are not there, that is a loophole. When residents are getting paid to go stand in line for guys who never had to leave their house, that is a loophole. The system was broken any way you spin it, just unfortunate that the result was yet another draw
this was rampant and my problem with the old system. if you weren’t buddies with a dealer you were never getting the best tags. at least they’re not doing bonus pts.
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 18, 2025, 12:06:13 PM