mxracer317
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2020
- Messages
- 1,300
Here it is. Not really too happy about the unit I’ve learned and loved going to hardly no tags.
2026 Idaho Nonresident Deer & Elk
- Thread starter mxracer317
- Start date
SAJ-99
Well-known member
Here is a recent convo with IDFG on how this will work. Apologize if this was posted elsewhere.
Edit to add the process starts about 25min mark.
Edit to add the process starts about 25min mark.
Last edited:
Turkeygetpwnd38
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2024
- Messages
- 65
Yea, that was my take away as well. I had no idea how many some units have.
Did they mention how the 5 choices would be drawn? Idaho’s current draws are all the first choices are allocated then the second choice are drawn. It really makes second choices irrelevant. However, in this draw it would be important to know if the same procedure is being used. Trying for a low tag number popular unit might cut you out for any tag if you have to wait for all first unit choices to be drawn.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
I believe it used to be 2k.
Outfitter tags should be split between Rs and NRs.
NR? There’s a 2k either sex deer tags. Pow pow pow.
In most years they go unused by the outfitters and are sold first come first serve
It’s really fun to see that essentially none of the allocated controlled hunt tags go through the draw but instead are just given to the outfitters to sell
Khunter
Well-known member
Costly non refundable endeavor to try drawing a general tag.Not sure if I will ply this year.
No idea if covered in that video but they will do same, so 2nd-5th choices are mostly irrelevant by awarding all first choices before then running through all apps again for later choices.
SAJ-99
Well-known member
Oh you want a clear, detailed explanation on the draw. Sorry, that will not be in the video. LOL. Someone should call the department and get an explanation.
I don't know why I assume this, but I thought it would be like NM where hunters are assigned numbers (kind of like they did in the waiting room). If your number 1, they look at first choice and allocate that tag to you. If you are number 542, they look at first choice, if gone they look at second, etc. That is the only way it makes sense to need five choices. Otherwise, just have 2. Only explanation is ID really has zero idea what true demand is for any or all of the tags.
I’m bored at lunch and called IDFG. On my third go around on the hold cycle, licensing picked up. My assumption was correct. All first round choices first, then all second round choices, etc. It makes the first round choice pick important if you want to definitely hunt or are trying for a choice unit.
Turkeygetpwnd38
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2024
- Messages
- 65
That sucks. I was hoping they’d look at all choices once drawn. In my mind that really decreases odds of grabbing a tag.
rmyoung1
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2010
- Messages
- 2,582
Not really. It just means you need to be thoughtful with that first choice.
Turkeygetpwnd38
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2024
- Messages
- 65
I get that, but it does. When I’d log on and try to get a tag, I’d have a list of 8-10 tags I’d be happy with…. Now you get one choice. It is what it is, just wish it wasn’t
Last edited:
rjthehunter
Well-known member
Nice. $200 to apply for a general tag.
SAJ-99
Well-known member
You need to know the unknowable, given there is no past data on how many people are interested in each unit.i agree it doesn’t change the odds. It just adds on another layer of complexity.
Addicting
Well-known member
I looked at it and am overwhelmed, have zero idea what to apply for. The DAV deer tag seems like a good option. But as far as elk goes, I haven’t a clue.
IDFG’s website has good information. You can find the success rate for each tag over several years. You should be able to figure out the units that are good and the units with issues .
Idaho is 70% public land plus it has agreements with some timber companies for access. I’ve never had checkerboarding public land issues either. There are portions of public land surrounding by private and partials with blocked road access from private owners. In general, you can always find a spot. Trailheads might be crazy with vehicles parked.
Entire state is steep. Don’t expect easy physical hunts.
There are a couple units notorious as being war zones but they also produce some of the largest number of animal harvested. There’s no shooting without game to shoot at.
