Intel, strategies, information, and how to research for this new Idaho draw for nonresident general season deer and elk tags
2026 Idaho nonresident general season deer and elk tag draw waiting room.
Start to enter in a nonresident general season deer or elk hunt code to switch the system to give you more choices.
Five choices to enter for Idaho nonresident general season deer and elk licenses.
Idaho general season elk research on GOHUNT's Filtering research tool.
Idaho elk hunt plan on GOHUNT's Hunt Planner.
Hunt Code | RD01 |
|---|---|
Unit | 1 |
Tags | 671 |
Notes | In a Portion of Unit 1, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply and Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | RD02 |
Unit | 2 |
Tags | 306 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD03 |
Unit | 3 |
Tags | 295 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD04 |
Unit | 4 |
Tags | 243 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD04A |
Unit | 4A |
Tags | 37 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD05 |
Unit | 5 |
Tags | 201 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD06 |
Unit | 6 |
Tags | 336 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD07 |
Unit | 7 |
Tags | 57 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD08 |
Unit | 8 |
Tags | 43 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD08A |
Unit | 8A |
Tags | 47 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD09 |
Unit | 9 |
Tags | 15 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD10 |
Unit | 10 |
Tags | 44 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD10A |
Unit | 10A |
Tags | 47 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD12 |
Unit | 12 |
Tags | 6 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD15 |
Unit | 15 |
Tags | 61 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD16 |
Unit | 16 |
Tags | 15 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD16A |
Unit | 16A |
Tags | 54 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD17 |
Unit | 17 |
Tags | 126 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD19 |
Unit | 19 |
Tags | 160 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD19A |
Unit | 19A |
Tags | 118 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD20 |
Unit | 20 |
Tags | 52 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD20A |
Unit | 20A |
Tags | 17 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD21 |
Unit | 21 |
Tags | 76 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD21A |
Unit | 21A |
Tags | 88 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD22 |
Unit | 22 |
Tags | 148 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD23 |
Unit | 23 |
Tags | 172 |
Notes | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | RD24 |
Unit | 24 |
Tags | 181 |
Notes | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | RD25 |
Unit | 25 |
Tags | 74 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD26 |
Unit | 26 |
Tags | 90 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD27 |
Unit | 27 |
Tags | 265 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD28 |
Unit | 28 |
Tags | 176 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD29 |
Unit | 29 |
Tags | 92 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD30 |
Unit | 30 |
Tags | 111 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD30A |
Unit | 30A |
Tags | 17 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD31 |
Unit | 31 |
Tags | 124 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD32 |
Unit | 32 |
Tags | 266 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD32A |
Unit | 32A |
Tags | 266 |
Notes | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | RD33 |
Unit | 33 |
Tags | 120 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD34 |
Unit | 34 |
Tags | 32 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD35 |
Unit | 35 |
Tags | 24 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD36 |
Unit | 36 |
Tags | 120 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD36A |
Unit | 36A |
Tags | 50 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD36B |
Unit | 36B |
Tags | 166 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD37 |
Unit | 37 |
Tags | 32 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD37A |
Unit | 37A |
Tags | 17 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD38 |
Unit | 38 |
Tags | 70 |
Notes | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
Hunt Code | RD39 |
Unit | 39 |
Tags | 1,190 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD40 |
Unit | 40 |
Tags | 232 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD41 |
Unit | 41 |
Tags | 54 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD42 |
Unit | 42 |
Tags | 30 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD43 |
Unit | 43 |
Tags | 575 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD46 |
Unit | 46 |
Tags | 168 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD47 |
Unit | 47 |
Tags | 10 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | RD48 |
Unit | 48 |
Tags | 194 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD49 |
Unit | 49 |
Tags | 179 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD50 |
Unit | 50 |
Tags | 169 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD51 |
Unit | 51 |
Tags | 72 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD52A |
Unit | 52A |
Tags | 114 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD53 |
Unit | 53 |
Tags | 44 |
Notes | Short range only season, See Note 2 |
Hunt Code | RD55 |
Unit | 55 |
Tags | 72 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | RD56 |
Unit | 56 |
Tags | 179 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD57 |
Unit | 57 |
Tags | 13 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | RD58 |
Unit | 58 |
Tags | 43 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD59 |
Unit | 59 |
Tags | 104 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD59A |
Unit | 59A |
Tags | 50 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD60 |
Unit | 60 |
Tags | 99 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD60A |
Unit | 60A |
Tags | 103 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD61 |
Unit | 61 |
Tags | 121 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD62 |
Unit | 62 |
Tags | 34 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD62A |
Unit | 62A |
Tags | 31 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD63 |
Unit | 63 |
Tags | 29 |
Notes | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
Hunt Code | RD64 |
Unit | 64 |
Tags | 40 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD65 |
Unit | 65 |
Tags | 24 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD66 |
Unit | 66 |
Tags | 113 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD66A |
Unit | 66A |
Tags | 83 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD67 |
Unit | 67 |
Tags | 50 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD68 |
Unit | 68 |
Tags | 55 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD69 |
Unit | 69 |
Tags | 178 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD70 |
Unit | 70 |
Tags | 14 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | RD71 |
Unit | 71 |
Tags | 108 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD72 |
Unit | 72 |
Tags | 74 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD73 |
Unit | 73 |
Tags | 71 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | RD73A |
Unit | 73A |
Tags | 149 |
Notes | Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | RD74 |
Unit | 74 |
Tags | 98 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD75 |
Unit | 75 |
Tags | 93 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD76 |
Unit | 76 |
Tags | 371 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD77 |
Unit | 77 |
Tags | 91 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | RD78 |
Unit | 78 |
Tags | 16 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | Unit | Tags | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
RD01 | 1 | 671 | In a Portion of Unit 1, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply and Testing is Required |
RD02 | 2 | 306 | |
RD03 | 3 | 295 | |
RD04 | 4 | 243 | |
RD04A | 4A | 37 | |
RD05 | 5 | 201 | |
RD06 | 6 | 336 | |
RD07 | 7 | 57 | |
RD08 | 8 | 43 | |
RD08A | 8A | 47 | |
RD09 | 9 | 15 | |
RD10 | 10 | 44 | |
RD10A | 10A | 47 | |
RD12 | 12 | 6 | |
RD15 | 15 | 61 | |
RD16 | 16 | 15 | |
RD16A | 16A | 54 | |
RD17 | 17 | 126 | |
RD19 | 19 | 160 | |
RD19A | 19A | 118 | |
RD20 | 20 | 52 | |
RD20A | 20A | 17 | |
RD21 | 21 | 76 | |
RD21A | 21A | 88 | |
RD22 | 22 | 148 | |
RD23 | 23 | 172 | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
RD24 | 24 | 181 | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
RD25 | 25 | 74 | |
RD26 | 26 | 90 | |
RD27 | 27 | 265 | |
RD28 | 28 | 176 | |
RD29 | 29 | 92 | |
RD30 | 30 | 111 | |
RD30A | 30A | 17 | |
RD31 | 31 | 124 | |
RD32 | 32 | 266 | |
RD32A | 32A | 266 | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
RD33 | 33 | 120 | |
RD34 | 34 | 32 | |
RD35 | 35 | 24 | |
RD36 | 36 | 120 | |
RD36A | 36A | 50 | |
RD36B | 36B | 166 | |
RD37 | 37 | 32 | |
RD37A | 37A | 17 | |
RD38 | 38 | 70 | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
RD39 | 39 | 1,190 | |
RD40 | 40 | 232 | |
RD41 | 41 | 54 | |
RD42 | 42 | 30 | |
RD43 | 43 | 575 | |
RD46 | 46 | 168 | |
RD47 | 47 | 10 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
RD48 | 48 | 194 | |
RD49 | 49 | 179 | |
RD50 | 50 | 169 | |
RD51 | 51 | 72 | |
RD52A | 52A | 114 | |
RD53 | 53 | 44 | Short range only season, See Note 2 |
RD55 | 55 | 72 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
RD56 | 56 | 179 | |
RD57 | 57 | 13 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
RD58 | 58 | 43 | |
RD59 | 59 | 104 | |
RD59A | 59A | 50 | |
RD60 | 60 | 99 | |
RD60A | 60A | 103 | |
RD61 | 61 | 121 | |
RD62 | 62 | 34 | |
RD62A | 62A | 31 | |
RD63 | 63 | 29 | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
RD64 | 64 | 40 | |
RD65 | 65 | 24 | |
RD66 | 66 | 113 | |
RD66A | 66A | 83 | |
RD67 | 67 | 50 | |
RD68 | 68 | 55 | |
RD69 | 69 | 178 | |
RD70 | 70 | 14 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
RD71 | 71 | 108 | |
RD72 | 72 | 74 | |
RD73 | 73 | 71 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
RD73A | 73A | 149 | Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
RD74 | 74 | 98 | |
RD75 | 75 | 93 | |
RD76 | 76 | 371 | |
RD77 | 77 | 91 | |
RD78 | 78 | 16 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | WD01 |
|---|---|
Unit | 1 |
Tags | 132 |
Notes | In a Portion of Unit 1, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply and Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | WD02 |
Unit | 2 |
Tags | 69 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD03 |
Unit | 3 |
Tags | 77 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD04 |
Unit | 4 |
Tags | 29 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD04A |
Unit | 4A |
Tags | 13 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD05 |
Unit | 5 |
Tags | 135 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD06 |
Unit | 6 |
Tags | 127 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD08 |
Unit | 8 |
Tags | 213 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD08A |
Unit | 8A |
Tags | 381 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD09 |
Unit | 9 |
Tags | 4 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD10 |
Unit | 10 |
Tags | 57 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD10A |
Unit | 10A |
Tags | 677 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD11 |
Unit | 11 |
Tags | 152 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD11A |
Unit | 11A |
Tags | 113 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD12 |
Unit | 12 |
Tags | 55 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD13 |
Unit | 13 |
Tags | 42 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD14 |
Unit | 14 |
Tags | 99 |
Notes | Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply and Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | WD15 |
Unit | 15 |
Tags | 267 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD16 |
Unit | 16 |
Tags | 117 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD16A |
Unit | 16A |
Tags | 6 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD17 |
Unit | 17 |
Tags | 20 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD18 |
Unit | 18 |
Tags | 57 |
Notes | Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply and Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | WD19A |
Unit | 19A |
Tags | 18 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD20 |
Unit | 20 |
Tags | 4 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD20A |
Unit | 20A |
Tags | 5 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD21 |
Unit | 21 |
Tags | 8 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD21A |
Unit | 21A |
Tags | 12 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD22 |
Unit | 22 |
Tags | 23 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD23 |
Unit | 23 |
Tags | 58 |
Notes | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | WD24 |
Unit | 24 |
Tags | 30 |
Notes | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | WD26 |
Unit | 26 |
Tags | 5 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD28 |
Unit | 28 |
Tags | 11 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD29 |
Unit | 29 |
Tags | 15 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD30 |
Unit | 30 |
Tags | 32 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD33 |
Unit | 33 |
Tags | 10 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD35 |
Unit | 35 |
Tags | 1 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD36A |
Unit | 36A |
Tags | 2 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD36B |
Unit | 36B |
Tags | 4 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD37 |
Unit | 37 |
Tags | 6 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD37A |
Unit | 37A |
Tags | 5 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD50 |
Unit | 50 |
Tags | 5 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD51 |
Unit | 51 |
Tags | 6 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD58 |
Unit | 58 |
Tags | 2 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD59 |
Unit | 59 |
Tags | 3 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD59A |
Unit | 59A |
Tags | 2 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD60 |
Unit | 60 |
Tags | 19 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD60A |
Unit | 60A |
Tags | 18 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD61 |
Unit | 61 |
Tags | 11 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD62 |
Unit | 62 |
Tags | 11 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD62A |
Unit | 62A |
Tags | 8 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD63 |
Unit | 63 |
Tags | 8 |
Notes | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
Hunt Code | WD63A |
Unit | 63A |
Tags | 71 |
Notes | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
Hunt Code | WD64 |
Unit | 64 |
Tags | 7 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD65 |
Unit | 65 |
Tags | 5 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD66 |
Unit | 66 |
Tags | 4 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD67 |
Unit | 67 |
Tags | 11 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | WD69 |
Unit | 69 |
Tags | 8 |
Notes |
Hunt Code | Unit | Tags | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
WD01 | 1 | 132 | In a Portion of Unit 1, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply and Testing is Required |
WD02 | 2 | 69 | |
WD03 | 3 | 77 | |
WD04 | 4 | 29 | |
WD04A | 4A | 13 | |
WD05 | 5 | 135 | |
WD06 | 6 | 127 | |
WD08 | 8 | 213 | |
WD08A | 8A | 381 | |
WD09 | 9 | 4 | |
WD10 | 10 | 57 | |
WD10A | 10A | 677 | |
WD11 | 11 | 152 | |
WD11A | 11A | 113 | |
WD12 | 12 | 55 | |
WD13 | 13 | 42 | |
WD14 | 14 | 99 | Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply and Testing is Required |
WD15 | 15 | 267 | |
WD16 | 16 | 117 | |
WD16A | 16A | 6 | |
WD17 | 17 | 20 | |
WD18 | 18 | 57 | Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply and Testing is Required |
WD19A | 19A | 18 | |
WD20 | 20 | 4 | |
WD20A | 20A | 5 | |
WD21 | 21 | 8 | |
WD21A | 21A | 12 | |
WD22 | 22 | 23 | |
WD23 | 23 | 58 | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
WD24 | 24 | 30 | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
WD26 | 26 | 5 | |
WD28 | 28 | 11 | |
WD29 | 29 | 15 | |
WD30 | 30 | 32 | |
WD33 | 33 | 10 | |
WD35 | 35 | 1 | |
WD36A | 36A | 2 | |
WD36B | 36B | 4 | |
WD37 | 37 | 6 | |
WD37A | 37A | 5 | |
WD50 | 50 | 5 | |
WD51 | 51 | 6 | |
WD58 | 58 | 2 | |
WD59 | 59 | 3 | |
WD59A | 59A | 2 | |
WD60 | 60 | 19 | |
WD60A | 60A | 18 | |
WD61 | 61 | 11 | |
WD62 | 62 | 11 | |
WD62A | 62A | 8 | |
WD63 | 63 | 8 | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
WD63A | 63A | 71 | Chronic Wasting Disease Testing is Required |
WD64 | 64 | 7 | |
WD65 | 65 | 5 | |
WD66 | 66 | 4 | |
WD67 | 67 | 11 | |
WD69 | 69 | 8 |
Hunt Code | ELK1 |
|---|---|
Zone | Bannock A Tag |
Units | 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74 |
Nonresident Tags | 186 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | Bannock B Tag |
Zone | No B Tags in this Zone |
Units | |
Nonresident Tags | |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK2 |
Zone | Bear River A Tag |
Units | 75, 77, 78 |
Nonresident Tags | 103 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK3 |
Zone | Bear River B Tag |
Units | 75, 77, 78 |
Nonresident Tags | 55 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK4 |
Zone | Beaverhead A Tag |
Units | 30, 30A, 58, 59, 59A |
Nonresident Tags | 263 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | Beaverhead B Tag |
Zone | No B Tags in this Zone |
Units | |
Nonresident Tags | |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK5 |
Zone | Big Desert A Tag |
Units | 52A, 53, 68, 68A |
Nonresident Tags | 57 |
Notes | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
Hunt Code | ELK6 |
Zone | Big Desert B Tag |
Units | 52A, 53, 68, 68A |
Nonresident Tags | 3 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK7 |
Zone | Boise River A Tag |
Units | 38, 39 |
Nonresident Tags | 26 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK8 |
Zone | Boise River B Tag |
Units | 38, 39 |
Nonresident Tags | 354 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK9 |
Zone | Brownlee A Tag |
Units | 31 |
Nonresident Tags | 47 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK10 |
Zone | Brownlee B Tag |
Units | 31 |
Nonresident Tags | 39 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK11 |
Zone | Diamond Creek A Tag |
Units | 66A, 76 |
Nonresident Tags | 459 |
Notes | Capped Zone, Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK12 |
Zone | Diamond Creek B Tag |
Units | 66A, 76 |
Nonresident Tags | 15 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK13 |
Zone | Dworshak A Tag |
Units | 10A |
Nonresident Tags | 148 |
Notes | Capped Zone, Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK14 |
Zone | Dworshak B Tag |
Units | 10A |
Nonresident Tags | 215 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK15 |
Zone | Elk City A Tag |
Units | 14, 15, 16 |
Nonresident Tags | 77 |
Notes | Capped Zone, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply in Unit 14, Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK16 |
Zone | Elk City B Tag |
Units | 14, 15, 16 |
Nonresident Tags | 261 |
Notes | Capped Zone, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply in Unit 14 |
Hunt Code | ELK17 |
Zone | Island Park A Tag |
Units | 60, 60A, 61, 62, 62A |
Nonresident Tags | 216 |
Notes | Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | Island Park B Tag |
Zone | No B Tags in this Zone |
Units | |
Nonresident Tags | |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK18 |
Zone | Lemhi A Tag |
Units | 29, 37, 37A, 51 |
Nonresident Tags | 55 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | Lemhi B Tag |
Zone | No B Tags in this Zone |
Units | |
Nonresident Tags | |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK19 |
Zone | Lolo A Tag |
Units | 10, 12 |
Nonresident Tags | 216 |
Notes | Capped Zone, Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK20 |
Zone | Lolo B Tag |
Units | 10, 12 |
Nonresident Tags | 222 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK21 |
Zone | McCall A Tag |
Units | 19A, 23, 24, 25 |
Nonresident Tags | 312 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK22 |
Zone | McCall B Tag |
Units | 19A, 23, 24, 25 |
Nonresident Tags | 307 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK23 |
Zone | Middle Fork A Tag |
Units | 20A, 26, 27 |
Nonresident Tags | 174 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK24 |
Zone | Middle Fork B Tag |
Units | 20A, 26, 27 |
Nonresident Tags | 267 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK25 |
Zone | Palisades A Tag |
Units | 64, 65, 67 |
Nonresident Tags | 21 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK26 |
Zone | Palisades B Tag |
Units | 64, 65, 67 |
Nonresident Tags | 40 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK27 |
Zone | Palouse A Tag |
Units | 8, 8A, 11A |
Nonresident Tags | 109 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK28 |
Zone | Palouse B Tag |
Units | 8, 8A, 11A |
Nonresident Tags | 182 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK29 |
Zone | Panhandle A Tag |
Units | 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Nonresident Tags | 657 |
Notes | In a portion of Unit 1, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply |
Hunt Code | ELK30 |
Zone | Panhandle B Tag |
Units | 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Nonresident Tags | 1,092 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK31 |
Zone | Pioneer A Tag |
Units | 36A, 49, 50 |
Nonresident Tags | 155 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK32 |
Zone | Pioneer B Tag |
Units | 36A, 49, 50 |
Nonresident Tags | 2 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK33 |
Zone | Salmon A Tag |
Units | 21, 21A, 28, 36B |
Nonresident Tags | 54 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK34 |
Zone | Salmon B Tag |
Units | 21, 21A, 28, 36B |
Nonresident Tags | 627 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK35 |
Zone | Sawtooth A Tag |
Units | 33, 34, 35, 36 |
Nonresident Tags | 77 |
Notes | Capped Zone, Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK36 |
Zone | Sawtooth B Tag |
Units | 33, 34, 35, 36 |
Nonresident Tags | 197 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK37 |
Zone | Selway A Tag |
Units | 16A, 17, 19, 20 |
Nonresident Tags | 254 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK38 |
Zone | Selway B Tag |
Units | 16A, 17, 19, 20 |
Nonresident Tags | 284 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK39 |
Zone | Smoky - Bennett A Tag |
Units | 43, 44, 45, 48, 52 |
Nonresident Tags | 180 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK40 |
Zone | Smoky - Bennett B Tag |
Units | 43, 44, 45, 48, 52 |
Nonresident Tags | 5 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK41 |
Zone | Snake River A Tag |
Units | 63, 63A |
Nonresident Tags | 7 |
Notes | Short range only season, See Note 2 |
Hunt Code | Snake River B Tag |
Zone | No B Tags in this Zone |
Units | |
Nonresident Tags | |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK42 |
Zone | South Hills A Tag |
Units | 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, 57 |
Nonresident Tags | 60 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | ELK43 |
Zone | South Hills B Tag |
Units | 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, 57 |
Nonresident Tags | 10 |
Notes | Capped Zone |
Hunt Code | ELK44 |
Zone | Tex Creek A Tag |
Units | 66, 69 |
Nonresident Tags | 102 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK45 |
Zone | Tex Creek B Tag |
Units | 66, 69 |
Nonresident Tags | 154 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK46 |
Zone | Weiser River A Tag |
Units | 22, 32, 32A |
Nonresident Tags | 274 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | ELK47 |
Zone | Weiser River B Tag |
Units | 22, 32, 32A |
Nonresident Tags | 318 |
Notes |
Hunt Code | Zone | Units | Nonresident Tags | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ELK1 | Bannock A Tag | 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74 | 186 | |
Bannock B Tag | No B Tags in this Zone | |||
ELK2 | Bear River A Tag | 75, 77, 78 | 103 | |
ELK3 | Bear River B Tag | 75, 77, 78 | 55 | Capped Zone |
ELK4 | Beaverhead A Tag | 30, 30A, 58, 59, 59A | 263 | |
Beaverhead B Tag | No B Tags in this Zone | |||
ELK5 | Big Desert A Tag | 52A, 53, 68, 68A | 57 | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
ELK6 | Big Desert B Tag | 52A, 53, 68, 68A | 3 | Capped Zone |
ELK7 | Boise River A Tag | 38, 39 | 26 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
ELK8 | Boise River B Tag | 38, 39 | 354 | |
ELK9 | Brownlee A Tag | 31 | 47 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
ELK10 | Brownlee B Tag | 31 | 39 | |
ELK11 | Diamond Creek A Tag | 66A, 76 | 459 | Capped Zone, Archery only season, See Note 1 |
ELK12 | Diamond Creek B Tag | 66A, 76 | 15 | Capped Zone |
ELK13 | Dworshak A Tag | 10A | 148 | Capped Zone, Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
ELK14 | Dworshak B Tag | 10A | 215 | Capped Zone |
ELK15 | Elk City A Tag | 14, 15, 16 | 77 | Capped Zone, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply in Unit 14, Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
ELK16 | Elk City B Tag | 14, 15, 16 | 261 | Capped Zone, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply in Unit 14 |
ELK17 | Island Park A Tag | 60, 60A, 61, 62, 62A | 216 | Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
Island Park B Tag | No B Tags in this Zone | |||
ELK18 | Lemhi A Tag | 29, 37, 37A, 51 | 55 | |
Lemhi B Tag | No B Tags in this Zone | |||
ELK19 | Lolo A Tag | 10, 12 | 216 | Capped Zone, Archery only season, See Note 1 |
ELK20 | Lolo B Tag | 10, 12 | 222 | Capped Zone |
ELK21 | McCall A Tag | 19A, 23, 24, 25 | 312 | |
ELK22 | McCall B Tag | 19A, 23, 24, 25 | 307 | |
ELK23 | Middle Fork A Tag | 20A, 26, 27 | 174 | Capped Zone |
ELK24 | Middle Fork B Tag | 20A, 26, 27 | 267 | Capped Zone |
ELK25 | Palisades A Tag | 64, 65, 67 | 21 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
ELK26 | Palisades B Tag | 64, 65, 67 | 40 | |
ELK27 | Palouse A Tag | 8, 8A, 11A | 109 | |
ELK28 | Palouse B Tag | 8, 8A, 11A | 182 | |
ELK29 | Panhandle A Tag | 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 | 657 | In a portion of Unit 1, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply |
ELK30 | Panhandle B Tag | 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 | 1,092 | |
ELK31 | Pioneer A Tag | 36A, 49, 50 | 155 | |
ELK32 | Pioneer B Tag | 36A, 49, 50 | 2 | Capped Zone |
ELK33 | Salmon A Tag | 21, 21A, 28, 36B | 54 | |
ELK34 | Salmon B Tag | 21, 21A, 28, 36B | 627 | Capped Zone |
ELK35 | Sawtooth A Tag | 33, 34, 35, 36 | 77 | Capped Zone, Archery only season, See Note 1 |
ELK36 | Sawtooth B Tag | 33, 34, 35, 36 | 197 | Capped Zone |
ELK37 | Selway A Tag | 16A, 17, 19, 20 | 254 | Capped Zone |
ELK38 | Selway B Tag | 16A, 17, 19, 20 | 284 | Capped Zone |
ELK39 | Smoky - Bennett A Tag | 43, 44, 45, 48, 52 | 180 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
ELK40 | Smoky - Bennett B Tag | 43, 44, 45, 48, 52 | 5 | Capped Zone |
ELK41 | Snake River A Tag | 63, 63A | 7 | Short range only season, See Note 2 |
Snake River B Tag | No B Tags in this Zone | |||
ELK42 | South Hills A Tag | 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, 57 | 60 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
ELK43 | South Hills B Tag | 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, 57 | 10 | Capped Zone |
ELK44 | Tex Creek A Tag | 66, 69 | 102 | |
ELK45 | Tex Creek B Tag | 66, 69 | 154 | |
ELK46 | Weiser River A Tag | 22, 32, 32A | 274 | |
ELK47 | Weiser River B Tag | 22, 32, 32A | 318 |
Hunt Code | DAVRD |
|---|---|
Type | Regular Deer |
Notes | Can be used in any general regular deer season hunt. |
Hunt Code | DAVWD |
Type | Whitetail Deer |
Notes | Can be used in any general white-tailed deer season hunt. |
Hunt Code | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
DAVRD | Regular Deer | Can be used in any general regular deer season hunt. |
DAVWD | Whitetail Deer | Can be used in any general white-tailed deer season hunt. |
Hunt Code | DAVE1 |
|---|---|
Zone | Bannock A Tag |
Units | 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE2 |
Zone | Bear River A Tag |
Units | 75, 77, 78 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE3 |
Zone | Beaverhead A Tag |
Units | 30, 30A, 58, 59, 59A |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE4 |
Zone | Big Desert A Tag |
Units | 52A, 53, 68, 68A |
Notes | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
Hunt Code | DAVE5 |
Zone | Boise River A Tag |
Units | 38, 39 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | DAVE6 |
Zone | Boise River B Tag |
Units | 38, 39 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE7 |
Zone | Brownlee A Tag |
Units | 31 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | DAVE8 |
Zone | Brownlee B Tag |
Units | 31 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE9 |
Zone | Island Park A Tag |
Units | 60, 60A, 61, 62, 62A |
Notes | Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | DAVE10 |
Zone | Lemhi A Tag |
Units | 29, 37, 37A, 51 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE11 |
Zone | McCall A Tag |
Units | 19A, 23, 24, 25 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE12 |
Zone | McCall B Tag |
Units | 19A, 23, 24, 25 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE13 |
Zone | Palisades A Tag |
Units | 64, 65, 67 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | DAVE14 |
Zone | Palisades B Tag |
Units | 64, 65, 67 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE15 |
Zone | Palouse A Tag |
Units | 8, 8A, 11A |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE16 |
Zone | Palouse B Tag |
Units | 8, 8A, 11A |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE17 |
Zone | Panhandle A Tag |
Units | 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Notes | In a portion of Unit 1, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply |
Hunt Code | DAVE18 |
Zone | Panhandle B Tag |
Units | 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE19 |
Zone | Pioneer A Tag |
Units | 36A, 49, 50 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE20 |
Zone | Salmon A Tag |
Units | 21, 21A, 28, 36B |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE21 |
Zone | Smoky - Bennett A Tag |
Units | 43, 44, 45, 48, 52 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | DAVE22 |
Zone | Snake River A Tag |
Units | 63, 63A |
Notes | Short range only season, See Note 2 |
Hunt Code | DAVE23 |
Zone | South Hills A Tag |
Units | 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, 57 |
Notes | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
Hunt Code | DAVE24 |
Zone | Tex Creek A Tag |
Units | 66, 69 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE25 |
Zone | Tex Creek B Tag |
Units | 66, 69 |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE26 |
Zone | Weiser River A Tag |
Units | 22, 32, 32A |
Notes | |
Hunt Code | DAVE27 |
Zone | Weiser River B Tag |
Units | 22, 32, 32A |
Notes |
Hunt Code | Zone | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
DAVE1 | Bannock A Tag | 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74 | |
DAVE2 | Bear River A Tag | 75, 77, 78 | |
DAVE3 | Beaverhead A Tag | 30, 30A, 58, 59, 59A | |
DAVE4 | Big Desert A Tag | 52A, 53, 68, 68A | Archery and Short range only seasons, See Notes 1 and 2 |
DAVE5 | Boise River A Tag | 38, 39 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
DAVE6 | Boise River B Tag | 38, 39 | |
DAVE7 | Brownlee A Tag | 31 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
DAVE8 | Brownlee B Tag | 31 | |
DAVE9 | Island Park A Tag | 60, 60A, 61, 62, 62A | Archery and Muzzleloader only seasons, See Note 1 |
DAVE10 | Lemhi A Tag | 29, 37, 37A, 51 | |
DAVE11 | McCall A Tag | 19A, 23, 24, 25 | |
DAVE12 | McCall B Tag | 19A, 23, 24, 25 | |
DAVE13 | Palisades A Tag | 64, 65, 67 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
DAVE14 | Palisades B Tag | 64, 65, 67 | |
DAVE15 | Palouse A Tag | 8, 8A, 11A | |
DAVE16 | Palouse B Tag | 8, 8A, 11A | |
DAVE17 | Panhandle A Tag | 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 | In a portion of Unit 1, Chronic Wasting Disease Transport Rules Apply |
DAVE18 | Panhandle B Tag | 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 | |
DAVE19 | Pioneer A Tag | 36A, 49, 50 | |
DAVE20 | Salmon A Tag | 21, 21A, 28, 36B | |
DAVE21 | Smoky - Bennett A Tag | 43, 44, 45, 48, 52 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
DAVE22 | Snake River A Tag | 63, 63A | Short range only season, See Note 2 |
DAVE23 | South Hills A Tag | 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, 57 | Archery only season, See Note 1 |
DAVE24 | Tex Creek A Tag | 66, 69 | |
DAVE25 | Tex Creek B Tag | 66, 69 | |
DAVE26 | Weiser River A Tag | 22, 32, 32A | |
DAVE27 | Weiser River B Tag | 22, 32, 32A |
12/5/2025 update to this article: I have updated this article with a walkthrough on how to apply, since it can be a little confusing.
As we covered back in May, Idaho nonresident general season elk and deer tags have moved to a draw for the 2026 season. And most recently in July, Idaho released more information about their 2026 nonresident general season deer and elk tag draw. These tags are no longer sold on a first-come, first-served basis to nonresidents.
The application period for Idaho’s 2026 nonresident general deer and elk draw is December 5 to 15, 2025. You can apply online here. Note: this is not the Controlled hunt draw.
This new draw replaces the old tag sale system. Beginning with the 2026 season, all nonresident general-season deer and elk tags will be issued through a draw. So if you want to hunt general season deer and elk in Idaho for 2026, you must apply.
View important information and an overview of Idaho’s rules/regulations, the draw system, tag and license fees, and an interactive boundary line map on our State Profile. You can also view the Idaho species profiles to access historical and statistical data to help you locate trophy areas.
Note: you may see the above screen if there is a high volume of people applying at the same time. Yes, this is the same sort of screen we have all seen in years past.
Log in to your Go Outdoors Idaho account.
Click on "Submit An Application"
You'll see it says "Controlled Hunt Application" at the top, but this is Idaho using the same system as before. Trust me, this is NOT A CONTROLLED HUNT APPLICATION.
What you need to do here is start to enter the "Hunt Code" of the nonresident general season number in the "Hunt Choice 1" box, and doing so will populate your other choices.
Enter all of your Hunt Codes in each of the choices. Again, remember you are allowed five choices. Then click "Next."
Enter the number of applicants.
Single app:
If you're applying on your own, select 1.
Group apps:
If you're applying with a party/group, then select the number of people in your party. Then you'll need to enter in their license number or Sportsman ID. Add all the party members.
Click "Next."
Review all of your information and then click on "Verify and Checkout."
Idaho's nonresident tag limits published were set using the 2025 seasons and rules. Tag numbers may change for the 2026 season based on the season-setting process. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission retains authority to modify or eliminate hunts as needed.
The 2026 big game seasons and rules will be approved in March 2026 and published in April at idfg.idaho.gov/big-game. Tag holders are responsible for knowing the current rules, season dates, and restrictions for their tags. IDFG will notify tag holders only if their hunt is entirely eliminated and provide available options. For complete laws and administrative rules, visit idfg.idaho.gov/title36 and adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/13/.
Nonresident hunters in general season deer and uncapped elk zone hunts are limited to 10 or 15 percent of the total hunters in each game management unit or elk zone. Some backcountry deer units (7, 9, 10, 12, 16A, 17, 19, 19A, 20, 20A, 26, and 27) have been limited to the five-year average number of nonresidents where overall hunter numbers have been relatively low.
The statewide nonresident general season quota for elk is 12,815 and 15,500 for deer.
Tags are limited for both residents and nonresidents in capped elk zones. When caps are implemented to restrict the number of tags within a zone, the total number of tags under the new cap is allotted proportionally among resident hunters, nonresident hunters, and outfitted hunters based on historical participation in the zone. Subsequent changes to the overall cap are applied proportionately.
Deer and elk tags are allocated for outfitted hunters in general season hunts, capped elk zones, and controlled hunts. A portion of the statewide general season nonresident quotas for deer and elk are set aside for allocation to outfitted hunters for general season hunts.
For the 2026 season, 1,846 deer tags and 2,975 elk tags are set aside to be allocated. The 2,975 elk tags include capped elk zones.
General season deer and elk tags are allocated for use by outfitted hunters based on historic outfitted use in each deer unit or uncapped elk zone. Allocation in capped elk zones is based on the proportion of resident, nonresident, and outfitter participation at the time the cap was implemented. Outfitter allocated tags unsold by July 31 will be made available to the public during a sale in early August. These tags can be purchased by nonresidents as a first and/or second tag, or purchased by residents as a second tag at the nonresident price for use in units or zones where the Fish and Game Commission has not restricted use of second tags. Tags remain subject to the overall nonresident quota and limits on individual units and zones for nonresidents.
This drawing process will work similarly to how controlled hunt draws are conducted in Idaho. After the application period is closed, all applications will be randomly assigned a number, and tags will be issued from the lowest random number to the highest random number.
Again, you will have five choices on your application, and the order in which you assign them is very important. All first choices will be evaluated first, and tags will be issued if there is still quota available for that hunt choice. So your first choice should be well thought out. 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. Allowing up to five choices gives hunters the ability to make secondary hunting choices and plans, should their top hunts not be available based on their drawing results. There are a number of low quota units and zones, so additional hunt choices could improve the odds of drawing a tag if the hunter has a low quota first choice, but a higher quota choice as their 2nd – 5th choice. Remember that Idaho Fish and Game does not use a point system.
Since this is the first year of this new draw, we cannot produce draw odds for these hunts. It is anyone's guess as to how this new draw will play out, and it will be interesting to see the numbers and odds after the draw reports are released and our research team crunches the numbers and produces draw odds.
Just like in years past when these were first-come, first-served, it's essential to prepare ahead of this draw, especially with how you order your five hunt choices.
The best way to prepare for this Idaho nonresident general season deer and elk draw is by diving into GOHUNT's Filtering tool on Insider, either on the web or by researching these hunts on our mobile app.
On the web, once logged in, navigate to Tools > Filtering and click on Idaho, select your species, then select your general season for deer or elk. This will then map out all of the general season units for that species in Idaho.
From there, you can manipulate the filters to start to really narrow down your search results for what you're looking for in a hunt. Then, my next approach would be to head over the Unit Profile for that unit to read up on it, check out comments from other Insider members, and finally, I'll jump over to GOHUNT Maps and really dive into the habitat and terrain. This is also when I'll play around with different mapping layers.
Check out the links below to take you directly to the Idaho general season hunts for each species/weapon on Filtering:
If you're curious about what areas of the state each Idaho elk zone is located in, you can also find that in Filtering. Once you're in Filtering, select Idaho > Species: Elk and then tap on "Zone Profiles" at the top. A tab will open up, allowing you to scroll through the list to see the elk zones mapped out. You can then click on a zone to pull up a short "Zone Profile" to really see what units are included in each zone.
Elk hunting in Idaho is managed in 28 elk zones with a two-tag system in most zones - A tag & B tag. Hunters may select one elk zone and choose either an A tag or a B tag.
The differences between the tag types can vary quite a bit for each elk zone in Idaho, so it's important to look at both options when researching to make sure you are applying for the hunt you want. We call out the different Tag types for all seasons on Insider for every Unit Profile, and this information can be found on the Filtering research tool and on our Unit Profiles.
Again, I like to jump into Unit Profiles of several units to learn more information about them. AND... remember you can even save units. This is a feature on Insider we released a couple of years ago! Once you've saved some seasons, you can access your "Hunts" by hovering over Tools and then click on Hunt Planner.
Once you're in your saved hunts section, you now have the ability to compare units, add notes, and totally customize this to your research page.
Now, one more step I like to take is to dive into several of those units using GOHUNT Maps to check out the terrain and public land.
REMEMBER, to apply in this nonresident general season tag draw in Idaho, you need to purchase a $185 hunting license, and it will not be refunded if you don't draw.
Nonresident hunting, fishing, and combination licenses for 2026 will go on sale at midnight MST on December 1, 2025.
If you need help deciding which unit or zone to pick up a tag for, be sure to check out our Filtering research tool.
You will use the "Hunt Code" that is listed in the left-hand column when you are applying for the 2026 nonresident general season draw in Idaho.
Notes:
1. Archery only and Muzzleloader only seasons: Any person hunting in an “archery only” season, including controlled hunts, must have their license with archery permit validation. To purchase an archery permit, all bowhunters must possess a valid hunting license and show proof they have completed an approved bowhunter education course or show evidence of having been licensed for an archery only hunt in Idaho or another state. Any person hunting in a “muzzleloader only” season, including controlled hunts, must have their license with muzzleloader permit validation.
2. Short range weapon only season: During a short-range weapon only season only the following weapons may be used. Only shotguns using any slug or double-aught (#00) buckshot. Muzzleloaders at least forty-five (0.45) caliber for deer, pronghorn, mountain lion, or gray wolf, or at least fifty (0.50) caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or black bear. Any bow having a peak draw weight of not less than forty (40) pounds up to or at a draw of twenty-eight (28) inches, or any crossbow having a peak draw weight of not less than one hundred fifty (150) pounds. Any handgun using straight wall centerfire cartridges not originally developed for rifles. Any airgun using pre-charged pneumatic power to propel a projectile (excluding shot and arrows) with unignited compressed air or gas and projectiles at least thirty-five (0.35) caliber for deer and pronghorn antelope or at least forty-five (0.45) caliber for elk and moose.
Nonresident Disabled American Veterans applying for tags in the Nonresident Tag Drawing for 2026 general season deer and elk hunts will have opportunities in two drawings.
Those eligible for DAV privileges, which require a service-connected disability rating of 40% or greater, will be eligible to apply for 500 discounted deer tags, and 300 discounted elk tags for 2026.
To apply, nonresident disabled veterans must buy a hunting license, which is discounted to $31.75, but there is no additional application fees.
Tags available to DAV hunters:
All DAV deer and elk tags will be available at the discounted prices. If successful in a non-DAV drawing, the DAV hunter will pay the full nonresident tag prices. If a DAV hunter is successful in both the DAV drawing and the Nonresident Tag Drawing for the same species, the person will have to pick a single tag for that species.
Group applications are allowed for the DAV drawing for up to four hunters, but all applicants must be DAV eligible to apply for the discounted tags.
Application period for the Nonresident Tag Drawing (including DAV) is Dec. 5-15, 2025. Results will be announced in early January 2026.
Required Documentation for DAV Reduced Fees
To receive DAV reduced fees, veterans must provide a copy of their official VA Disability Percentage Rating letter, and the letter must verify a service-connected disability rating of 40% or greater.
The letter is also called a "Benefits Summary Percentage Letter," and typically is one page. The letter may bear any date prior to license application.
Documentation for the resident DAV license will be required only for the initial application and will not be required for subsequent applications. Please do not provide the multi-page medical determination report your physician sends to the VA Case Manager for adjustments.
There are 500 DAV reduced fee tags, available for Regular or Whitetail Deer that can be used statewide in any open season for that species.
There are 300 DAV reduced fee tags, available for uncapped elk zones. DAV hunters are also eligible to apply for capped elk zones in the Nonresident Draw, and will pay full nonresident fees if successful.
Since this is an entirely new draw system for these general-season deer and elk hunts in Idaho, below are some commonly asked questions for which Idaho Fish and Game has provided answers. I’m providing this exact list of questions as a way to help clear up some confusion.
Will a hunting license be required to apply for the Nonresident Draw and Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Draw?
Yes. All applicants are required to have a valid 2026 hunting license to apply in the Nonresident Draw. DAV hunters are required to have a 2026 DAV specific hunting license to be eligible to apply for the DAV Draw. A copy of the official VA Disability Percentage Rating letter, verifying service-connected disability rating of 40% or greater can be sent to our Licenses office by emailing Licenses@idfg.idaho.gov. 2026 licenses go on sale December 1, 2025.
Can a hunter get a refund on their hunting license if they are not successful in the draw?
No. Hunting license fees are nonrefundable, even if a hunter is not successful in drawing a tag. The license may still be used for other opportunities, including applying for controlled hunts, hunting other big game, small game, or upland game species, and participating in Returned Tag Sales.
Will an application fee be required to apply for the Nonresident or the DAV Draw?
No. There is no application fee for the 2026 Nonresident or DAV Draw. However, this could change in future years.
If someone applies for the Nonresident or DAV Draw, does that impact their ability to apply for controlled hunts?
No. Tags issued in the draw are general season tags and do not impact a hunter’s ability to apply for a controlled hunt.
Where/how can someone submit an application?
Applications can be submitted online beginning December 5, at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, over the phone at 1-800-554-8685, or at any IDFG regional office location or Vendor location. To apply online, log in to your profile and click the “Submit an Application” tile in the top menu of your homepage. Then enter the Hunt Code(s) for the tags you want to apply for.
How many choices are allowed on an application?
Hunters will be able to submit up to five hunt choices on each of their applications. One exception is the DAV Deer drawing, which will only have two choices: DAV Regular Deer or DAV White-tailed Deer.
How many members can be in a group application?
Applications can be submitted with up to four members in a group. Group applications for the DAV draw must include all DAV-eligible applicants.
How does the draw process work? How are hunt choices and groups reviewed in the draw process?
The process will work similarly to how controlled hunt draws are conducted in Idaho. After the application period is closed, all applications will be randomly assigned a number, and tags will be issued from the lowest random number to the highest random number. 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.
Groups are evaluated as a single application. When a group application is reached in the draw process, the group will only be awarded if there are tags available for all group members. For example, if there is one tag left in a hunt, and the next application in the draw process is a group application with 4 members, the group application will not be awarded because there are not enough tags left to award all members.
Do Nonresident Junior Mentored hunters need to participate in the draw?
Nonresidents with a NONRES HUNTING - JR MENTORED license only need to participate in the Nonresident draw if they are applying for a capped elk zone. Regular and white-tailed deer tags, as well as uncapped elk zone tags, are unlimited for Junior Mentored hunters. Therefore, they do not need to apply for those in the Nonresident Draw. Nonresident Junior Mentored hunters are eligible to purchase general season tags in late March, when the drawing process is complete. Reminder for adults with Junior Mentored Hunters: Secure the adult tag before buying a Junior Mentored tag. Junior Mentored hunters must hunt with an adult holding a tag for the same species.
How can Nonresident DAV hunters participate in the Draw?
Nonresident DAV hunters can participate in both the Nonresident Draw and the DAV Draw. The DAV Draw will require that the applicant have a NONRES HUNTING/3-DAY FISHING – DAV license. DAV applicants are eligible to apply for a DAV Deer tag (Regular Deer or White-tailed Deer) and for a DAV Elk tag. For the 2026 season, DAV Elk tags will only be available for uncapped elk zones; DAV hunters do have the opportunity to apply for capped elk zones by applying in the Nonresident Draw, and, if awarded, paying full priced nonresident fees. If a DAV hunter is successful in both the DAV Draw and the Nonresident Draw for the same species, they will be required to pick a single tag when claiming the tag. They are not eligible to purchase both tags. There will only be one application period for the DAV draw (December 5 – 15) to allow for an extended claim period for DAV hunters. The deadline to claim DAV tags will be the final draw process deadline, March 20, 2026.
Do former Idaho residents with a Lifetime License (Nonresident Lifetime License holders) need to participate in the Nonresident Draw?
No. Nonresident Lifetime License holders do not need to participate the Draw. Those Lifetime License holders are eligible to purchase general season tags out of the resident quota, which will be available in late June/early July.
If someone is successful in the first application period can they apply again in the second application period?
No. Hunters who draw in the first application period are not eligible to apply in the second application period, even if they do not claim their tag.
What happens to a tag that is not claimed/ purchased by the designated deadline dates?
Hunters must purchase their tags by the designated deadlines. Tags not purchased by the first deadline, January 20, 2026, will be forfeited and made available in the second application period. Tags not purchased by the second deadline, March 20, 2026, will also be forfeited and offered in the first over-the-counter Returned Tag Sale of the year.
How will applicants be notified of their draw results?
Applicants will receive their draw results via email, if they have a valid email address on their GoOutdoorsIdaho.com customer account. Applicants can also login to their license account at GoOutdoorsIdaho to view their draw results. It is the hunter’s responsibility to confirm their draw results.
Will IDFG still do over-the-counter Returned Tag Sales?
Yes. IDFG will continue to conduct Returned Tag Sales throughout the year. Dates for 2026 sales will be posted on our website in December 2025.
What happens if my season is changed or eliminated when the Idaho Fish and Game Commission sets the 2026 season and tag limits in March?
It is your responsibility to know the rules for the tag you have purchased, including season dates and restrictions. IDFG will contact you only if your hunt is entirely eliminated (all seasons eliminated) and inform you of available options.
What tag options do I have if I am a nonresident Disabled American Veteran (DAV)?
Reduced fee Nonresident DAV tags are limited to 500 deer tags, and 300 elk tags. DAV deer tags are valid statewide, and DAV elk tags are only valid in the selected zone. See page 16 - 17 for Hunt Codes and additional details on the 2026 DAV Draw.
What requirements are there for Junior Mentored hunting tags?
Junior Mentored tag holders, age 10 to 17, must be accompanied by a licensed adult aged 18 or older. The licensed adult must have a valid current year tag for the same species as the Junior Mentored tag holder. Hunters are not eligible for a refund for the Junior Mentored license in the event that the licensed adult is unable to purchase a same species tag. A refund of a portion of the tag fee may be available, depending on the date the refund is requested. See the current Big Game Seasons and Rules for additional details on youth hunt information. Note that nonresident junior mentored hunters only need to participate in the Nonresident Draw if they are purchasing capped elk zone tags. Uncapped elk zones and statewide deer tags can be purchased in late March.
Will there be a difference between archery, any weapon, and muzzleloader tags?
Some deer and elk tags have archery, muzzleloader, and/or general any weapon seasons that should be reviewed within the current Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure prior to purchase. Some tags may require a hunter to purchase an additional archery or muzzleloader permit, which allows the hunter to hunt in seasons limited by weapon type. Hunters purchasing an archery permit must provide an archery safety education (bowhunter) certification number.
Are controlled hunt tags for nonresidents part of the nonresident limits by deer unit and elk zones?
No. Tags for nonresidents who successfully draw a controlled hunt are not counted as part of the nonresident quota, and they are not part of the limits placed on deer units and uncapped elk zones for nonresidents. However, nonresidents are limited to no more than 10% of the overall tags in controlled hunts.
How do I obtain the services of an outfitter?
You should contact the outfitter directly to inquire about hunts.
Does the outfitter provide the deer or elk tag? Can I hire an outfitter even if I already have a tag?
The outfitter may be able to provide hunters with outfitter-allocated deer and elk tags depending on what each individual outfitter has available. Outfitters may also offer services to hunters who have bought their own tags; contact outfitters for your tag area to discuss specific arrangements.
I have never purchased a license in Idaho before, but want to apply in the draw. What information will I need to provide?
It is recommended that you create an account at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com before the nonresident draw application period. Required information includes your name, address, gender, eye color, hair color, height, weight, email address, last 4 digits of your social security number (other documentation is also accepted such as Travel Visa, non-US driver license, passport, tax ID & green card), hunter education number with issuing state, and phone number.
Will I get a refund on my license and tag if the rest of my hunting party cannot get a tag for the same area?
No refund on the license is available. However, during the Nonresident Draw, hunters can apply as a group with up to four members in a group to ensure all members of the hunting party receive the same drawing results. If the group does not draw a tag, the license may still be used for other opportunities, including applying for controlled hunts, hunting other big game, small game, or upland game species, and participating in Returned Tag Sales.
Will I get a refund on my license and tag if I got the wrong zone/unit and cannot exchange the tag for the area I want?
No refund on the license is available. A refund of a portion of the tag fee may be available, depending on the date the refund is requested. Details on refund requests can be found at: idfg.idaho.gov/licenses/ forms/nonresident-refund.
How do I request a refund on my tag?
Refund requests must be mailed in with the tag and a refund request form. See idfg.idaho.gov/licenses/ forms/nonresident-refund for details on requesting a refund. Important Note: IDFG has proposed rule changes that may impact refund options. If adopted, these changes will become effective July 1, 2026.
What are my options if I do not get the tag for the area I want?
The license may still be used for other opportunities, including applying for controlled hunts, hunting other big game, small game, or upland game species, and participating in Returned Tag Sales. More information on returned tag sales can be found at idfg.idaho.gov/ tag/returns.
Can I exchange my tag from one zone/unit to another?
Yes, exchanges are available for a fee, subject to tag availability in the other unit/zone, and only before the beginning of any portion of the hunting season of the tag held. Please note that if an exchange is an option, the hunter will need to return the original tag and submit the exchange fee to IDFG before receiving the new tag. Tags may be exchanged at IDFG offices and by mail, or online during designated Returned Tag Sales. Important Note: IDFG has proposed rule changes that may impact exchange options. If adopted, these changes will become effective July 1, 2026.
This article was originally published on November 6, 2025, and the article has been updated with more information since the draw opened to show screenshots and a walkthrough on how to apply, since the system is a little confusing.
A Tags generally provide more opportunities for muzzleloader and archery hunters
B tags provide more opportunities for rifle hunters
A Tags generally provide more opportunities for muzzleloader and archery hunters
B tags provide more opportunities for rifle hunters
The 500 DAV deer tags are valid statewide, but the hunter must select a DAV Regular Deer tag, or DAV White-tailed Deer tag
The 300 DAV elk tags will be limited to uncapped elk zones
Nonresident disabled veterans can also enter the general Nonresident Tag Drawing, so DAV hunters can submit a total of four applications: DAV elk, non-DAV elk, DAV deer, and non-DAV deer
How to get your VA Disability Percentage Rating letter: You may get a copy of your letter by calling: (800) 827-1000 or your local VA office, or by online access at: www.ebenefits.va.gov using your premium account login (all recently separated personnel are required to have a premium account; if you don’t have an account, you will need to set one up to access your letter).
What to do with your letter: Letters can be submitted via email to our Licenses office at Licenses@idfg.idaho.gov. Letters can also be brought to any regional office
or mailed to: Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game - Licensing Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707
$185.00 for a hunting license (nonresident hunting/3-day fishing)
Plus an additional $10.00 for an Annual Access/Depredation fee and a $9.97 Convenience fee for a total hunting license transaction of $204.97
$351.75 for a deer tag
$651.75 for an elk tag
$23.75 for a deer DAV tag
$39.75 for an elk DAV tag
Application choices: you can submit up to five hunt choices (units/zones) each for deer and elk.
Hunters can submit a total of two applications: one for elk and one for deer (except for DAV applicants). Regular deer tags and white-tailed deer tags can be applied for on the same application.
Party/group applications: Up to four hunters can apply together on a group application. If one person draws, everyone in the group gets a tag (as long as there are enough tags for all party members)
New information from Idaho in regards to group applications:
Groups are evaluated as a single application. When a group application is reached in the draw process, the group will only be awarded if there are tags available for all group members. For example, if there is one tag left in a hunt, and the next application in the draw process is a group application with four members, the group application will not be awarded because there are not enough tags left to award all members.
All hunters will be required to buy a 2026 hunting license valid to hunt big game in order to apply.
All hunting license purchases are nonrefundable.
Participating in the nonresident general season deer/elk drawing will not affect a hunter's eligibility to apply for controlled hunts in the spring.
Applications for general season deer and elk must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MT on December 15, 2025.
You can apply online here.
All nonresidents MUST purchase a 2026 hunting license to be eligible to apply in the draw. 2026 hunting licenses go on sale December 1, 2025.
Hunting license fees are nonrefundable, even if a hunter is not successful in drawing a tag. The license may still be used for other opportunities, including applying for controlled hunts, hunting other big game, small game, or upland game species, and participating in Returned Tag Sales.
Application choices: you can submit up to five hunt choices (units/zones) each for deer and elk.
Hunters can submit a total of two applications: one for elk and one for deer (except for DAV applicants). Regular deer tags and white-tailed deer tags can be applied for on the same application.
Party/group applications: Up to four hunters can apply together on a group application. If one person draws, everyone in the group gets a tag (as long as there are enough tags for all party members)
New information from Idaho in regards to group applications:
Groups are evaluated as a single application. When a group application is reached in the draw process, the group will only be awarded if there are tags available for all group members. For example, if there is one tag left in a hunt, and the next application in the draw process is a group application with four members, the group application will not be awarded because there are not enough tags left to award all members.
Participating in the nonresident general season deer/elk drawing will not affect a hunter's eligibility to apply for controlled hunts in the spring.
First Application Period Results Announcement: Early January, 2026
First Application Period Deadline to Claim Awarded Tags: January 20, 2026, or tags will be forfeited (except DAV).
Second Application Period, Nonresident draw only: February 5 – 15, 2026
Second Application Period Results Announcement: Early March, 2026
Second Application Period and all DAV tags Deadline to Claim Awarded Tags: March 20, 2026, or tags will be forfeited, including DAV tags.
