New Or Noteworthy For This Year

How to Use Insider to Create a Unit/zone Plan for This Sale Date

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A Hunt Plan I created the other year as an example.

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Nonresident Fees for General Season Hunts

Idaho Nonresident Tag Quotas by Unit/zone

General questions about the new Idaho draw

Idaho’s 2026 nonresident general season deer and elk application overview

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. No longer are these tags sold on the over-the-counter/first-come-first-served process.

The deadline to apply for Idaho’s 2026 nonresident general deer and elk draw is December 15, 2025. You can apply online here. Note: this is not the Controlled hunt draw.

The application period is from December 5 to 15, 2025, for the 2026 hunting season.

Quick-hitting information:

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

State information

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.

Important dates and information

2026 season and tag limits 

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 deer and elk tag quotas

Nonresident General Season Hunts (including capped elk zones). 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.

Nonresident Capped Elk Zones

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. 

Tags Allocated to Outfitters

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.

Outfitter Tags - General season Hunts (including 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.

The draw process

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.

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:

Idaho Elk Zone Research

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.

What is the difference between A and B elk tags in Idaho?

Save and Compare Units

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.

A hunting license is required

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.

2026 nonresident fees

Statewide tag quotas

Nonresident tag limits published here were set using the previous year’s (2024) seasons and rules. Tag numbers identified in the 2025 Nonresident General Tags and Tags Allocated to Outfitters brochure may change for the 2025 season in response to the 2025 season setting process. The Fish and Game Commission retains emergency authority to modify or eliminate hunts within the season-setting cycle.

Note: Idaho resident deer and elk tags are not limited by quotas.

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.

Nonresident regular deer tags

Nonresident whitetail deer tags

Nonresident elk tags

Information on nonresident Disabled American Veteran Tags (DAV) opportunities

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.

shows the hunt numbers for each unit and zone that can be applied for (similar to controlled hunt numbers). The brochure also denotes capped and uncapped zones for DAV applicants. Hunters can get all other hunt details in the .

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.

Nonresident DAV deer tags

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 system, below are some commonly asked questions that Idaho Fish and Game has provided answers for. 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 4 members in a group. Group applications for the DAV draw must include all DAV-eligible applicants. 

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. Q: What happens to a tag that is not claimed/ purchased by the designated deadline dates? A: 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.

Outfitted Hunt Questions

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.

Nonresident License, Tag, Refund & Exchange Information

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 4 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.