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Author Topic: Returned Idaho tags  (Read 4840 times)

Offline Shooter4

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Returned Idaho tags
« on: January 21, 2026, 11:27:56 AM »
Im returning my elk panhandle tag. No time this year as work has takin off

Offline trophyhunt

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2026, 12:17:23 PM »
I'm keeping my 10a deer and archery elk   :chuckle:
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline RB

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2026, 09:46:04 PM »
When are they available for purchase? Or, do they have to go through the second draw first?
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Offline 10thmountainarcher

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2026, 09:53:28 PM »
When are they available for purchase? Or, do they have to go through the second draw first?

Second draw is in February.

Offline Skillet

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2026, 08:27:06 AM »
if you didn't get in the first drawing, can you buy a license and enter the second drawing or is it locked down to only those that were in 1st drawing. 

i will say, there is a catch in the system that I did not think about and some of you are experiencing it.  People entered multiple choices and were selected for a lower choice and purchased the tag, and now there are available tags for their 1st choice draws that were not purchased.  catch 22, do you only submit your first choice and hope for the best on the 2 draws, or submit multiple choices and be happy with whatever you get, knowing a chance at your 1 choice may open up.

If you think your odds are better in the second draw with lower competition due to the successful applicants being removed from the application pool, that strategy would make sense if there were enough of the tags you wanted left over.  But looking at the total number of 2nd draw tags vs 1st draw, the ratio seems to be about 10% across the board. Meaning that if the applicant pool didn't shrink by 90% as well, your odds will be worse.

The game theory is pretty interesting with this draw, especially considering the unknowns.
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Offline bearpaw

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2026, 08:39:48 AM »
if you didn't get in the first drawing, can you buy a license and enter the second drawing or is it locked down to only those that were in 1st drawing. 

i will say, there is a catch in the system that I did not think about and some of you are experiencing it.  People entered multiple choices and were selected for a lower choice and purchased the tag, and now there are available tags for their 1st choice draws that were not purchased.  catch 22, do you only submit your first choice and hope for the best on the 2 draws, or submit multiple choices and be happy with whatever you get, knowing a chance at your 1 choice may open up.

If you think your odds are better in the second draw with lower competition due to the successful applicants being removed from the application pool, that strategy would make sense if there were enough of the tags you wanted left over.  But looking at the total number of 2nd draw tags vs 1st draw, the ratio seems to be about 10% across the board. Meaning that if the applicant pool didn't shrink by 90% as well, your odds will be worse.

The game theory is pretty interesting with this draw, especially considering the unknowns.

I think you are 100% with that theory.
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Offline highside74

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2026, 10:16:09 AM »
if you didn't get in the first drawing, can you buy a license and enter the second drawing or is it locked down to only those that were in 1st drawing. 

i will say, there is a catch in the system that I did not think about and some of you are experiencing it.  People entered multiple choices and were selected for a lower choice and purchased the tag, and now there are available tags for their 1st choice draws that were not purchased.  catch 22, do you only submit your first choice and hope for the best on the 2 draws, or submit multiple choices and be happy with whatever you get, knowing a chance at your 1 choice may open up.

If you think your odds are better in the second draw with lower competition due to the successful applicants being removed from the application pool, that strategy would make sense if there were enough of the tags you wanted left over.  But looking at the total number of 2nd draw tags vs 1st draw, the ratio seems to be about 10% across the board. Meaning that if the applicant pool didn't shrink by 90% as well, your odds will be worse.

The game theory is pretty interesting with this draw, especially considering the unknowns.

I talked to idfw before I bought my tags about the process because my deer tag was 2nd choice. He said if you drew whether you buy your tag or not, you will not be eligible for the next draw. If tags are left over after all the draws take place you will be able to swap your tag for a leftover but not before.

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Offline TriggerMike

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2026, 04:56:41 PM »
I may have missed it, but has IDFG posted the data of how many people applied in the first drawing yet?

Offline highside74

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2026, 05:00:45 PM »
I may have missed it, but has IDFG posted the data of how many people applied in the first drawing yet?

Yes it's in the other thread

Offline WapitiTalk1

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2026, 10:15:45 PM »
My hunting buddy drew his elk tag in the second draw today. I drew mine in the first go around. The elk gods were smiling on us. I’m completely floored that we both ultimately drew, particularly with less than 100 tags returned in our area. It’s on now  8)
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Offline WSU

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2026, 01:00:52 PM »
A buddy and I both drew the second time.  Other 4 in my family didn't draw.

Offline The scout

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Re: Returned Idaho tags
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2026, 01:08:04 PM »
Lots of disappointment around my circle of people. I think out of 18 people 2 groups drew elk on first go around, which was 5 people all together. and a pair drew a mediocre deer tag on the second. Pretty disappointing considering most of us have hunted Idaho for 20+ years.

 


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