Major Changes coming to Idaho for Non-Resident Hunters

[Machias]

 Major Change Coming for Idaho Nonresident Hunters in 2026
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.

[Magnum_Willys]

Yep no more guaranteed tags for good areas, bummer.  But its more fair and group friendly.

[greenhead_killer]

We saw something coming with how crazy it’s gotten. I don’t like it, but it’s probably for the best.

[Buckhunter24]

What's the max group size?

I sure screwed up not buying a lifetime license when I was a resident 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Thanks for the update Fred!  This is far better than the mess it has been.

[Gentrys]

Thanks. Good info.  Bummer that we have to buy a NR license upfront, but I get why the states do it.

[trophyhunt]

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... 

[HvyHorn338]

It's unfortunate to see it go this way.   

[pd]

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.

[teanawayslayer]

It's unfortunate to see it go this way.   

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.

[Mtnwalker]

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.

  And 2 deer tags at that. Ah the good ol' days 

[TriggerMike]

What's the max group size?

I sure screwed up not buying a lifetime license when I was a resident 

Max group size is 4.

[TriggerMike]

I don't see where it says it anywhere, but does anyone know if you're allowed to apply for both deer and elk in the same year? Or do you have to pick one or the other?

[HvyHorn338]

It's unfortunate to see it go this way.   

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. 

[Buckhunter24]

What's the max group size?

I sure screwed up not buying a lifetime license when I was a resident 

Max group size is 4.

Cool, thanks. I thought 4 might be the number