2026 Idaho elk & deer draw

[KylerL]

What’s the best way of checking for results on the 2nd draw? I have been checking the website and it still shows “eligible” on all my hunt choices. Will this be the first place they will post results, or will I receive an email first?

 

[ez_willie]

• Second Application Period, Nonresident draw only: February 5 – 15, 2026


• Second Application Period Results Announcement: Early March, 2026

 

[IdahoBeav]

What’s the best way of checking for results on the 2nd draw? I have been checking the website and it still shows “eligible” on all my hunt choices. Will this be the first place they will post results, or will I receive an email first?

The first place with the word will be either IDFG's social media or rapid activity on the other NR draw thread that is on RS.

 

[Fullfan]

You will receive an email with good or bad news, along with the other 23k ppl that applied.

 

[KylerL]

Results are on the website. I didn’t get an elk tag this year unfortunately but I was lucky enough to draw a general deer tag for unit 4

 

[Fullfan]

You will receive an email either way

 

[Leaf Litter]

I also didn't draw a second chance elk tag. See ya in 2027!

 

[Zak406]

Out as well.

 

[NDHUNTER24]

No elk or deer for me.

 

[guylaga]

Nada, figured it was a longshot anyways.

 

[Can’tDraw4Shiz94]

Remember NRs, my buddy from out of state forgot this but there is still the actual controlled hunt draw for the “premium” tags as some states call them. There’s still a chance to draw a good tag.

 

[rolocasi]

No dice for me (2nd time around), hopefully the controlled tag odds don't go down with the increase of folks that bought licenses for OTC tags that did not draw. It would feel really good to have a tag in my pocket right now. Hopefully CO treats me better.

 

[BAKPAKR]

No dice for me (2nd time around), hopefully the controlled tag odds don't go down with the increase of folks that bought licenses for OTC tags that did not draw. It would feel really good to have a tag in my pocket right now. Hopefully CO treats me better.

MSG odds will go down. I suspect deer and elk will, too.

 

[MTbowhunter36]

Third time around and I still can't get a tag! I was assigned 3066 with probably less than 100 elk tags and they sold out in a few minutes!

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[Fogalo]

Third time around and I still can't get a tag! I was assigned 3066 with probably less than 100 elk tags and they sold out in a few minutes!

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Everyone knows those go to the guys who go to the Idaho offices in person.

 

[Chickenchit]

Its crazy. People are showing up in person, Most all of the elk tags were sold out before even close to 100 people went through the online queue I'm pretty sure.

Third time around and I still can't get a tag! I was assigned 3066 with probably less than 100 elk tags and they sold out in a few minutes!

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[MTbowhunter36]

Its crazy. People are showing up in person, Most all of the elk tags were sold out before even close to 100 people went through the online queue I'm pretty sure.

Yeah, man gone are the days when I drove to ID and bought an elk tag over the counter at Ridleys. That was 2020 and I haven't been back. They're twice as expensive with 10 times the demand.

Even UT elk tags are $2k. I guess I'm super thankful I live in MT and get a tag every year, but I think that is going to come to an end.

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[Chickenchit]

My family has hunted what I thought was a mid-lower tier deer unit in Idaho for over 20 years... Based on the demand the last few years and no one in our party (applying solo) drawing that unit, it will probably be awhile until i'm back. It sucks but I guess thats the way it is now.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Do we need to make the returned tag sales into a draw as well?

 

[Ross]

Just raise the price problem solved