COEUR D’ALENE, ID — Idaho Fish and Game is reminding nonresident hunters to prepare for the upcoming Nonresident Tag Drawing application period, which runs from December 5–15, 2025.
The 2026 Nonresident General Tags brochure is now available and lists elk, regular deer, and white-tailed deer tags by elk zone or hunting unit. Hunters should use the brochure with the Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules guide to review hunt boundaries, rules, and other key details before applying.
The Nonresident Tag Drawing system, introduced to replace the previous first-come, first-served process, is designed to make tag access fairer and reduce online frustration for out-of-state hunters.
Key Dates to Remember
- December 5–15, 2025: Application period for Nonresident Tag Drawing (including Disabled American Veterans deer and elk tags)
- Early January 2026: Results announcement
- January 20, 2026: Deadline to claim tags (except DAV tags)
All hunters must have a valid 2026 Idaho hunting license to apply. Licenses are nonrefundable, and participation in the nonresident drawing will not affect eligibility for controlled hunts next spring.
More information and FAQs are available at idfg.idaho.gov/licenses/tag/quotas/nonresident.
