Idaho draw application deadlines and fees
Idaho's 2026 controlled hunt drawing opened May 1, 2026 and closed June 5, 2026; results came out June 17, 2026, according to Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The lowest adult elk license price we list for a nonresident is $651.75 (Elk tag, adult, nonresident), charged if drawn.
The controlled hunt dates and results below are IDFG's for 2026. IDFG lists the same application periods every year without a year on them (spring bear January 15 to February 15; moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat April 1 to 30; deer, elk, pronghorn and fall bear May 1 to June 5). The next deadline is the nonresident general deer and elk tag draw for 2027, December 5 to 15, 2026.
When do Idaho applications open and close?
| What | Opens | Closes | Results | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled hunt drawing: deer, elk, pronghorn, fall black bear, fall turkey and swan | May 1, 2026 | June 5, 2026 | June 17, 2026 | Controlled Hunt Information |
| Controlled hunt drawing: moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat | April 1, 2026 | April 30, 2026 | May 11, 2026 | Controlled Hunt Results Information |
| Second drawing for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat tags left after the first | June 15, 2026 | June 25, 2026 | Controlled Hunt Application Information | |
| Second controlled hunt drawing for deer, elk, pronghorn and fall black bear tags left after the first | August 5, 2026 | August 15, 2026 | August 20, 2026 | Controlled Hunt Information |
| Spring black bear controlled hunt drawing | January 15, 2026 | February 15, 2026 | (early March) | Controlled Hunt Application Information |
| Nonresident general season deer and elk tag draw for 2027, first application period (nonresident and Disabled American Veteran) | December 5, 2026 | December 15, 2026 | (early January 2027; claim awarded tags by January 20, 2027) | Nonresident Deer and Elk Tags |
| Nonresident general season deer and elk tag draw for 2027, second application period (nonresident draw only) | February 5, 2027 | February 15, 2027 | (early March 2027; claim by March 20, 2027) | Nonresident Deer and Elk Tags |
What does it cost to apply in Idaho?
| Fee | Amount | When it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Controlled hunt application fee (deer, elk, pronghorn, bear), resident | $6.25 | at application |
| Controlled hunt application fee (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat), resident | $16.75 | at application |
| Controlled hunt application fee (deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, turkey), nonresident | $18.00 | at application |
| Controlled hunt application fee (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat), nonresident | $45.75 | at application |
| Nonresident general deer and elk tag draw application fee, per species | $18.00 | at application |
| Hunting license, adult, resident | $15.75 | to apply |
| Hunting license, adult, nonresident | $185.00 | to apply |
| Elk tag, adult, resident | $36.75 | if drawn |
| Deer tag, adult, resident | $24.75 | if drawn |
| Pronghorn tag, resident | $36.50 | if drawn |
| Black bear tag, adult, resident | $13.75 | if drawn |
| Moose tag, resident | $199.75 | at application |
| Bighorn sheep tag, resident | $199.75 | at application |
| Mountain goat tag, resident | $199.75 | at application |
| Elk tag, adult, nonresident | $651.75 | if drawn |
| Deer tag, adult, nonresident | $351.75 | if drawn |
| Pronghorn tag, nonresident | $342.75 | if drawn |
| Black bear tag, nonresident | $231.75 | if drawn |
| Moose tag, nonresident | $2,626.75 | at application |
| Bighorn sheep tag, nonresident | $2,626.75 | at application |
| Mountain goat tag, nonresident | $2,626.75 | at application |
Resident prices are IDFG's standard prices; residents with a price-lock pay less (for example $30.75 for an adult elk tag instead of $36.75). A depredation management and access fee is added to every annual license ($5 resident adult, $10 nonresident adult). Online and phone purchases carry a processing fee. Moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat applicants pay the tag fee with the application and may apply for only one of those three species.
Fees from License, Tag, and Permit Costs: Residents, License, Tag, and Permit Costs: Nonresidents, Nonresident Deer and Elk Tags.
How do points work in Idaho?
Idaho uses no preference or bonus points. Each application gets a random number, and tags go to first choices in that order, then to second choices (IDFG).
- Points. IDFG does not use any point system in its draws. Every application gets a random number; tags go to first choices in that order, then the draw goes back through the numbers for second choices.
- Choices and groups. A controlled hunt application takes a first choice and an optional second choice, by four-digit hunt number. Up to four hunters may apply together for deer, elk or pronghorn, and two for bear, moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat. The nonresident general tag draw takes up to five choices.
- Before you apply. Residents and nonresidents need a valid Idaho hunting license to apply. Mailed applications are no longer accepted; apply online, at a vendor or at an IDFG office.
What did the 2026 draw look like?
From Idaho Department of Fish and Game's 2026 draw reports, first choice only.
Black bear: 6 hunts
- Resident: 3,573 first-choice applications, 369 drew
- Nonresident: 465 first-choice applications, 21 drew
- Hunts where at least half of first-choice applicants drew: residents 0, nonresidents 0.
Elk: 182 hunts
- Resident: 75,348 first-choice applications, 16,414 drew
- Nonresident: 12,753 first-choice applications, 1,203 drew
- Hunts where at least half of first-choice applicants drew: residents 60, nonresidents 49.
Deer: 147 hunts
- Resident: 68,307 first-choice applications, 15,142 drew
- Nonresident: 11,440 first-choice applications, 1,242 drew
- Hunts where at least half of first-choice applicants drew: residents 47, nonresidents 32.
Pronghorn: 54 hunts
- Resident: 36,742 first-choice applications, 5,289 drew
- Nonresident: 4,151 first-choice applications, 407 drew
- Hunts where at least half of first-choice applicants drew: residents 12, nonresidents 15.
Moose: 94 hunts
- Resident: 6,931 first-choice applications, 462 drew
- Nonresident: 1,699 first-choice applications, 51 drew
- Hunts where at least half of first-choice applicants drew: residents 3, nonresidents 1.
Bighorn sheep: 30 hunts
- Resident: 2,065 first-choice applications, 89 drew
- Nonresident: 2,335 first-choice applications, 9 drew
- Hunts where at least half of first-choice applicants drew: residents 0, nonresidents 0.
Mountain goat: 19 hunts
- Resident: 885 first-choice applications, 36 drew
- Nonresident: 278 first-choice applications, 4 drew
- Hunts where at least half of first-choice applicants drew: residents 0, nonresidents 0.
Worth knowing
- Resident hunters who apply for a controlled hunt must wait five days after tags go on sale before buying a capped elk zone tag.
- Since the 2026 season, nonresident general deer and elk tags are issued by draw, not over the counter.
- Hunt numbers change from year to year: IDFG says to use the current brochure when applying.
Sources
- Controlled Hunt Application Information, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read October 18, 2026.
- Controlled Hunt Results Information, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read October 18, 2026.
- Controlled Hunt Information, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read October 18, 2026.
- Nonresident Deer and Elk Tags, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read October 18, 2026.
- License, Tag, and Permit Costs: Nonresidents, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read October 18, 2026.
- License, Tag, and Permit Costs: Residents, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read October 18, 2026.
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2026 draw reports: 2026 Deer Controlled Hunt Drawing Odds, 2026 Elk Controlled Hunt Drawing Odds, 2026 Pronghorn Controlled Hunt Drawing Odds, 2026 Bear Controlled Hunt Drawing Odds, 2026 Moose Controlled Hunt Drawing Odds, 2026 California Sheep Controlled Hunt Drawing Odds, 2026 Rocky Mountain Sheep Controlled Hunt Drawing Odds, 2026 Mountain Goat Controlled Hunt Drawing Odds.
Drew an Idaho tag?
FilledTag builds one exact plan for your unit: where to park, camp and sit, with every pin checked against public land and road rules.