2026 Idaho Draw

[23cobowhunter]

results were posted yesterday. i got emails for elk and deer both.

 

[Rizzy]

I think there will be less returned tags now that non residents have to invest in a license.

 

[Pafarm]

I think there will be less returned tags now that non residents have to invest in a license.

Why would that be the case? You had to invest in the license before to have the tag. Same thing as before, however I think people will return them before as they panicked and picked whatever was left quick.

 

[Pafarm]

Didn’t draw either. First time not heading to the mtns in years. Sad day

 

[dieselchessy]

I hold hunting licenses in a few states every year and I dont go hunt there just because I have a license.
It will be interesting to see how things settle out in the next few years as folks learn what kind of draw odds there are and what if any tags can be drawn as a second choice.
The 5 choices bit makes me think Idaho miss judged the demand. I was thinking some tags could have been drawn as a second choice, but it seems few if any were.
Seems like the draw will be primarily a first choice and hope deal.

 

[LFC911]

Didn't read this entire thread but the new NR draw may be good for ungulates. I bet you're going to see an influx of bear hunters since they now all have a hunting licence.

i was also thinking the new hunters would have a steeper learning curve, equating to reduced harvest, compared to someone that has the area "figured out."

 

[Customweld]

i was also thinking the new hunters would have a steeper learning curve, equating to reduced harvest, compared to someone that has the area "figured out."

I think you'll see a fair amount of this.

 

[svivian]

I wonder how many people are regretting bitching about the old system after this?

 

[TheViking]

I wonder how many people are regretting bitching about the old system after this?

People will bitch no matter what.

 

[svivian]

People will bitch no matter what.

Aint that the truth

 

[MacJenkins]

Drew NR Elk, I agree, old system was worked better for us for the past 24 years. About half in my group drew elk. Once that did not drew deer at least.

 

[TheTone]

Didn't read this entire thread but the new NR draw may be good for ungulates. I bet you're going to see an influx of bear hunters since they now all have a hunting licence.

There has already been a huge spike in non res bear hunters in the past 5-6 years

 

[BuckSmasher]

Didn’t draw either. First time not heading to the mtns in years. Sad day

What zone did you try for? MT draw is over 50% I think, its a much better draw than ID general anyway. Plus there is CO still.

 

[Cwsharer]

Nice, I'm glad someone drew!

Did you intentionally put in for B? I had a buddy accidentally buy the B tag a couple of years ago not realizing that its a November cow only hunt

Elk B Tag - Pioneer Zone <br/><small>2025 Season</small> (2025) | Idaho Hunt Planner

The Idaho Hunt Planner provides all information the hunter needs for a successful Idaho hunt: regulations, seasons, drawing odds, harvest statistics, and hunt boundaries in one location.

idfg.idaho.gov

I did yes , works out better for me than an a tag and fills the freezer!

 

[Andrew12gauge]

People will bitch no matter what.

They just took nonresident tears day and moved it from Dec 1st to January 6th


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[a_millward]

I did yes , works out better for me than an a tag and fills the freezer!

Right on! I have hunted there quite a bit, you probably have as well, but if you need any starting places, I'm happy to discuss via DM or over the phone.

 

[IdahoBeav]

They just took nonresident tears day and moved it from Dec 1st to January 6th


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December 10 was the best day for it.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

December 10 was the best day for it.

They only did the 10th for one year


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[IdahoBeav]

They only did the 10th for one year


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Yep, and it worked out great by allowing people to buy a license before the sale.

 

[CorbLand]

Aint that the truth

When Utah made their changes to the application period, I had a guy bitch that he couldn’t apply sooner. Not bitching about the how long it took to get results but that he couldn’t apply sooner.

That was one of those days where you realize that some people are really stupid.