Idaho Nonresident Draw!

[Whiskey Freak]

https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/fish...pproves-drawing-2026-nonresident-deerelk-tags

 

[David Gough]

About time, although I thought IDFG would lump the draws together.

 

[idelkslayer]

I'm sure everyone will find completely new things to complain about when the results come out in January 2026.

 

[JLDemo]

I'm sure everyone will find completely new things to complain about when the results come out in January 2026.

Only if I don't draw, then it's completely flawed.

 

[rmyoung1]

I kinda wish they’d do it like Wyo where the general tag drawings are run alongside the LE tag drawings, making applicants pick and choose. Or, if they’re wanting to wait on winter counts before setting tag numbers in LE units, I wish they’d prohibit applicants from applying in both. I think draw odds for LE would improve noticeably if the general tag applicants weren’t able to apply again.

But… I am glad they’re moving away from the virtual waiting room chaos.

 

[Whiskey Freak]

Now that the rat race is over anyone want to divulge their secret to getting a general tag?

 

[338win]

long overdue

 

[SAJ-99]

I'm sure everyone will find completely new things to complain about when the results come out in January 2026.

Sure, but I can use the same verbiage I use when I don’t draw AZ, NM, WY, etc. Copy/Paste. Think of the efficiency!

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Thoughts as a resident (who will possibly have NR friends apply.)

-NR have been wanting this change a while because the current system is flawed. Good deal. Happy for NR if they're happy.

-Draw odds for ID NR LE elk, deer, antelope and OIL sheep, goat and moose will get worse. With way more people with NR licenses to try for elk, there will be more applications come spring for all species...likely D, E, A seeing biggest increase.

Question: does anyone know about the sequence of draw...assuming following ID current pattern of everyone's first choice considered before moving to second choices...or is it going to be like NV for these? Didn't see in article.

 

[rmyoung1]

Thoughts as a resident (who will possibly have NR friends apply.)

-Draw odds for ID NR LE elk, deer, antelope and OIL sheep, goat and moose will get worse. With way more people with NR licenses to try for elk, there will be more applications come spring for all species...likely D, E, A seeing biggest increase.

I think you’re right about this, unfortunately. If I’m at all representative of the masses, then you’re correct. I’ve been eyeing an ID application for a while, but the chaos in December always dampened my enthusiasm and kept me looking at other more reliable choices. But this upcoming Dec feels different to me.

 

[Khunter]

After three successful years snagging elk tags that are sold out in a few minutes, I hate to see the change, but understand why it is needed.

Agree my sheep odds just got a lot worse when guys pile into the draw bc why not after buying nonres license needed to apply.

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

So am I reading it correctly that there is no application fee, but NRs gotta buy an $185 license that is not refundable if they dont draw? If this is the case dang right LE entries will sky rocket with everyone who doesn't draw for sure cause their gonna wanna hunt considering they spent $185 and the guys that do draw are gonna apply because why not I already paid for the license.

 

[YZF-88]

I’ve been unsuccessful snagging an OTC tag 3 years in a row so I’m happy about this even though the odds will be low (below 10%).

However, I’ve also been stupid lucky 3x drawing rifle elk tags (2 early rifle and 1 mid rifle). No doubt those single digit odds will be even lower. Not sure I have that much luck in reserve.

 

[seeth07]

I agree that not running the draws side by side just destroyed the LE draw odds for NR. Ouch.

 

[Elkmagnet]

I kinda wish they’d do it like Wyo where the general tag drawings are run alongside the LE tag drawings, making applicants pick and choose. Or, if they’re wanting to wait on winter counts before setting tag numbers in LE units, I wish they’d prohibit applicants from applying in both. I think draw odds for LE would improve noticeably if the general tag applicants weren’t able to apply again.

But… I am glad they’re moving away from the virtual waiting room chaos.

This echoes my feelings exactly but I do have to point out the cute naivety expressed within. When you inclue the well thoughtout quote -"Or, if they’re wanting to wait on winter counts before setting tag numbers in LE units," I giggle because you seem to apply common sense to the equation.
With very few exceptions IDF&G sets controlled hunt season for a term of 4 years. Idaho ignores the possibility of proactive adjustments to environmental change or even reactions in a timely manner. This leads to wild swings in big game populations regionally.

 

[cgasner1]

I’d like to see it put together to have the best draw odds. I’d bet it’s out together with the best license sale odds

 

[7Bartman]

So am I reading it correctly that there is no application fee, but NRs gotta buy an $185 license that is not refundable if they dont draw? If this is the case dang right LE entries will sky rocket with everyone who doesn't draw for sure cause their gonna wanna hunt considering they spent $185 and the guys that do draw are gonna apply because why not I already paid for the license.

THIS is a huge deal for me. I was all for the draw, BUT not having to spend $185 first. We never had to do this in the past. What the hell am I going to do with a $185 NR license after I don't draw? I was hoping this wouldn't turn into New Mex, but I guess it did.

 

[Creedance91]

THIS is a huge deal for me. I was all for the draw, BUT not having to spend $185 first. We never had to do this in the past. What the hell am I going to do with a $185 NR license after I don't draw? I was hoping this wouldn't turn into New Mex, but I guess it did.

Same with Colorado. Luckily I drew, so my $100 small game license wasn't a complete donation.

 

[sclancy27]

I’d like to see it put together to have the best draw odds. I’d bet it’s out together with the best license sale odds

Put NR General and Controlled tag in the same draw (like WY does), make people choose. If you want to put in for a controlled tag, fine, but you don't get to put in for General or vice versa. WY has that figured out at least.

 

[PNWtrekker]

Great! Now I can sell my 19 extra computers, downgrade my google fiber, and stop hiring 19 high school kids to hit refresh over and over and over. Anyone know any Cryptocurrency Miners looking for extra hardware? JK...

I found this interesting: "Disabled American Veteran (DAV) tags DAV tags will have a separate drawing for the reduced fee DAV tags. Hunters eligible for DAV may also apply for nonresident tags, but will pay full nonresident tag prices." I wonder if they will reduce the number of regular DAV tags or how that's going to work. Just hoping it doesn't screw over our DAVs that don't have an extra $1000+ to spend in some way.