Idaho (ID)
Idaho is known for elk, mule deer, and backcountry mountain hunts.
Agency links, deadlines, unit maps, and species opportunities are tied to official sources below.
Huntable species in ID
Pick a species to assemble the available permit/tag opportunities for this state.
Unit Map / Units
Official GIS polygon layers render here when available. Click a unit polygon to ask Jeremiah for practical hunting background; seeded unit cards appear only when no GIS layer has been imported yet.
Idaho Game Management Units
Official GIS sourcePrimary statewide management or hunt-unit boundaries.
Cream/white gaps are places not covered by this active district layer, such as reservations, national parks, lakes/water, or other excluded/non-district areas. Colors separate hunting-district number series for readability; always verify exact rules, species, and season dates against the official source.
Idaho Controlled Hunt Areas 2025-2026
Official GIS sourceSpecial hunt, limited-entry, controlled, archery, or permit-only boundary — not a general statewide hunt unit.
Cream/white gaps are places not covered by this active district layer, such as reservations, national parks, lakes/water, or other excluded/non-district areas. Colors separate hunting-district number series for readability; always verify exact rules, species, and season dates against the official source.
Agency source
1
high confidence
Opportunities
12
researched nonresident paths
Applications
0
public research mode
Unit map
GIS
ArcGIS REST
Deer opportunities
First-pass official-source research package for nonresident applications, draw/OTC paths, odds, harvest stats, and map linkage. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
Idaho nonresidents apply through GoOutdoorsIdaho or approved IDFG channels. General nonresident deer and elk tags moved to a draw for 2026; applicants needed a valid Idaho hunting license, selected hunt choices, and were processed by random number with no preference or bonus points. Controlled hunts are also random draws; applicants use complete four-digit hunt numbers from the current rules brochure, may apply as individuals or limited-size groups, and can participate in second drawings or leftover/unclaimed processes if tags remain. Returned sold-out tags and second tags are dynamic first-come opportunities separate from the main draws. Super Hunt is a raffle that does not require a license to enter, though winners must be eligible to buy a valid Idaho hunting license.
Hunt codes: 2026 Nonresident General Tags supplemental brochure hunt numbers - PDF parse needed
Units: Idaho GMUs by chosen deer tag/hunt number
Deadlines: 2026 first application period: Dec. 5-15, 2025 • 2026 first awarded-tag claim deadline: Jan. 20, 2026
Fees: Adult nonresident deer tag: $351.75 • Adult nonresident hunting license: $185.00
Open map layerHunt codes: four-digit controlled hunt numbers from current IDFG controlled hunt tables
Units: Idaho controlled hunt areas and GMUs
Deadlines: Main application: May 1-Jun. 5 • Second drawing if tags remain: Aug. 5-15
Fees: Nonresident controlled hunt application fee: $18.00 • Valid Idaho hunting license required
Open map layerHunt codes: dynamic returned tag inventory
Units: underlying deer unit or elk zone/unit
Deadlines: Throughout year according to IDFG Returned Tag Sale schedule and live availability
Fees: Underlying tag fee applies • Adult nonresident deer context: $351.75
Open map layerHunt codes: dynamic leftover or second-drawing controlled hunt numbers
Units: Idaho controlled hunt areas
Deadlines: Trophy species second drawing: Jun. 15-25 • Deer/elk/pronghorn/fall bear/swan second drawing: Aug. 5-15
Fees: Same application/tag fees as underlying hunt/species
Open map layerHunt codes: dynamic second-tag availability
Units: underlying deer unit or elk zone/unit
Deadlines: Sale dates/times posted by IDFG; page examples use 10 a.m. MDT
Fees: Adult nonresident deer: $351.75 • Adult nonresident elk: $651.75
Open map layerHunt codes: none at entry
Units: statewide legal hunt areas for drawn species
Deadlines: First drawing deadline: May 31 • Second drawing deadline: Aug. 10
Fees: No hunting license needed to enter • Winner must be eligible to buy valid Idaho hunting license
Open map layer- • Create or use a GoOutdoorsIdaho.com licensing account for applications, results and awarded-tag claiming.
- • Hold a valid Idaho hunting license valid for big game before applying for controlled hunts or the nonresident general deer/elk draw.
- • Adult nonresident hunting license is listed at $185.00 and adult access/depredation fee at $10.00; junior, DAV and combination licenses differ.
- • Nonresident controlled hunt application fee is $18.00 for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear and turkey; $45.75 for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat.
- • Use hunter education and species-specific requirements from current IDFG rules before hunting.
- • Mandatory hunter reports may be required after hunting, even with no harvest.
- • DAV and junior mentored hunters have special license, application and tag rules that should be modeled separately.
- • Parse the 2026 Nonresident General Tags supplemental PDF to map deer/elk draw hunt numbers to GMUs, elk zones, quotas and capped/uncapped indicators.
- • The 2026 Nonresident General Tags supplemental PDF needs parsing for exact deer/elk hunt numbers, units/zones, quotas and DAV capped/uncapped indicators.
No. IDFG says it does not use points in the reviewed draw processes; nonresident deer/elk and controlled hunts are random drawings.
Yes. IDFG requires a valid Idaho hunting license for controlled hunt applications and for the nonresident general deer/elk draw.
Enter the complete four-digit controlled hunt number from the current IDFG brochure, not just the unit or area number.
Yes, but limits differ: up to four for deer/elk/pronghorn controlled hunts, up to two for turkey, bear, moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat. Nonresident deer/elk general draw groups are treated as one application and only win if enough tags remain for everyone.
For 2026, IDFG says additional nonresident general deer/elk opportunities after the draw are through Returned Tag Sales. Second-tag sales may also be available depending on IDFG inventory and rules.
Yes. Anyone can enter, and no Idaho hunting license is needed to enter. Winners must be eligible to buy a valid Idaho hunting license before hunting.
Agency portals
Official agency, license/application, regulations, draw odds, and harvest stats.
Go Outdoors Idaho / HuntFishIdaho is the official licensing system vendor; IDFG Hunt Planner exposes drawing odds and harvest statistics.
Deadlines
Application, draw, reporting, and point purchase reminders.
No deadlines seeded yet.
Unit boundary source
Official map/GIS source for the future clickable unit-level map.
Format: ArcGIS REST
Conversion: GMUs import from GameManagementUnits layer 0; controlled hunts import from ControlledHunts_All layer 0 with Year in (2025, 2026).
License/source notes: Official IDFG Hunt Planner/download source; terms subject to IDFG site terms.
Open boundary sourceSpecies available
Starter list for this jurisdiction.
No species data yet.
Applications
State/province-specific plans, submitted applications, draw status, and spend.
No applications yet.