Idaho 2026 Nonresident Deer & Elk Draw: Rules Overview

1. Who This Is For

This guide is written for nonresident hunters planning to apply for an Idaho Deer or Elk tag in 2026.
It explains only the general-season draw, not controlled hunts or other species such as antelope, moose, or bear.

Until 2025, most deer and elk tags were sold over the counter (OTC), often disappearing within minutes of release.
Starting with the 2026 season, Idaho Fish and Game replaced OTC sales with a two-stage draw system for general-season deer and elk tags
(official explanation here).

This change was designed to make access fairer and less dependent on internet speed, but it also requires better planning.

This article reflects our understanding as of November 2025, based on:

When the 2026 Big Game Brochure is released in April 2026, we'll publish an update summarizing new details.

2. How and When to Apply

If you're a nonresident planning to hunt deer or elk in Idaho in 2026, everything begins with your application.

The process is fully online through
GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.

When to Apply

Starting in 2025, Idaho will hold two draw periods for nonresident general-season deer and elk tags.
Applications are submitted online, and results are released a few weeks later.
Hunters who draw a tag in the first period cannot participate in the second, even if they choose not to claim it.

Group applications are allowed for up to four hunters, and each applicant can list up to five hunt choices per species.

The draw is completely random: Idaho does not use preference or bonus points yet.

Timeline of 2025 to 2026 application windows

Before You Apply

Before submitting your application, you must purchase a 2026 Idaho Hunting License, available beginning December 1, 2025.
This license establishes your eligibility for any tag or application during the year.
The nonresident license costs $185 and is non-refundable.

Certain weapon types also require separate permits:

Archery Permit
Muzzleloader Permit

These are purchased through the same licensing system and must be obtained before hunting in those specific seasons.

3. What Tags Are Available

Every nonresident may apply for one elk tag and one deer tag per year.
These two categories cover all general-season big-game opportunities included in the 2026 draw.

Idaho tag types: Elk / White-tailed Deer / Mule Deer

The statewide nonresident quota is:

12,815 elk tags
15,500 deer tags

Elk Tags

Each elk zone offers an A Tag and B Tag.
You may hold only one per year.

General patterns:

A Tags: earlier dates, often archery-only
B Tags: later dates, often any-weapon

Deer Tags

Idaho offers two main deer tags:

Regular Deer Tag: mule deer or whitetail (unless restricted by unit)
White-tailed Deer Tag: whitetail only, often with extended seasons

Additional Species

A nonresident deer or elk tag may also be used to harvest:

black bear
mountain lion
gray wolf

During any concurrent open season in the same unit.
Once a hunter fills a tag with any of these species, they cannot buy a second deer or elk tag unless leftover tags are available.

4. How Tags, Seasons, and Hunt Codes Fit Together

Every Idaho tag represents a specific hunting opportunity defined by a hunt code, the identifier you enter when applying.

Examples:

RD01: Regular Deer Tag for Unit 1
WD01: White-tailed Deer Tag for Unit 1
ELK1: Elk A Tag for the Bannock zone

A hunt code bundles together:

species
unit or zone
weapon type
season dates
special conditions (unit notes, antler restrictions, etc.)

A tag doesn't define just one date or weapon type, it connects multiple variables.
Some elk tags include both an early archery period and a later muzzleloader season; others authorize only a short any-weapon window.

To help hunters make sense of Idaho's new draw system, we built TAGZ, a smart app that turns static Fish & Game tables into a live, searchable map of every deer and elk opportunity.

Try now: https://app.mytagz.me/
Learn more about how it works: (link to second article, to be added later)

5. Special Programs and Exceptions

Idaho's nonresident draw includes several exceptions and sub-programs:

Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Draw

DAV hunters are eligible for both the discounted DAV draw and the general nonresident draw but may claim only one tag per species.

Junior Mentored Hunters

Junior Mentored applicants may apply only in capped zones and must follow regular unit rules once drawn.

Outfitter-Allocated Tags

A portion of tags is reserved for licensed outfitters and is issued through outfitter licensing channels.

6. Fees and Refunds

All hunters must purchase a 2026 license before applying.

Licenses and application fees: non-refundable
Unclaimed tags: re-released only via Idaho's Returned Tag Sales

7. Quick Reference Rules

You may apply for one elk and one deer tag each year
Up to five hunt choices per species
Group applications allowed (up to 4 people)
If drawn in the first period, cannot apply again in the second
Archery and Muzzleloader permits required for weapon-specific hunts
Controlled Hunts remain separate