Idaho NR general tag going to draw?

[willfrye027]

I hope they move it to June with the controlled hunt draw. Guys would think twice about picking up a “just in case” tag with most of the other draws done.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Yes, the Dec 1 date has been around for a while. The change happened in 2021 when IDFG implemented NR zone specific quotas. Prior to that, if there was a NR tag available out if the ~12,000 NR tags, it could be purchased for use in any uncapped (or capped, if the cap had not been reached) zone. After 2021, each zone had had a quota of NR tags available. Contrary to all the talk of increased demand and blaming it on social media influencers, this policy change solely created the 12/1 circus, nothing else. It really started to snowball when guys would finally get in, see that their top choices were gone and panic buy a tag in a zone that they would have never bought a tag in previously, making that tag unavailable residents come August of the next year.

Anecdotally, I purchased my 2019 NR tag in June and my 2020 NR tag in April. Thankfully, that was my last year to buy a NR tag.

The unit specificity is for deer tags only. The elk tags did not change. Yet, the elk tags are still selling out the first day, have been for several years. The elk tags have every bit of demand as the deer tags, if not more. I have mixed feelings on the deer tags being unit specific, but it does make for an advantage to us residents. It would be extremely difficult to get a 2nd regular deer tag if they were not unit specific for NRs.

 

[steelheadmike]

The unit specificity is for deer tags only. The elk tags did not change. Yet, the elk tags are still selling out the first day, have been for several years. The elk tags have every bit of demand as the deer tags, if not more. I have mixed feelings on the deer tags being unit specific, but it does make for an advantage to us residents. It would be extremely difficult to get a 2nd regular deer tag if they were not unit specific for NRs.

The elk tags went to having the NR quota per unit for the 2021 tag sale (2022 season).

Nonresident licenses and tags for 2022 go on sale Dec. 1

idfg.idaho.gov

Elk tags did not always sell out on the first day. I bought mine in June and April in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Up until 2021, if there was a single tag out of the ~12000 NR quota available, it you could buy one in an uncapped zone. There were no zone specific NR quotas prior to that.

 

[Fullfan]

I bet they don't refund the license and entry fees, that is the price to play in every other state, why would ID give that back?

Correct from what I heard that will be how it will work.

 

[IdahoBeav]

The elk tags went to having the NR quota per unit for the 2021 tag sale (2022 season). The unit specificity on deer came a couple years later.

Elk tags did not always sell out on the first day. I bought mine in June and April in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Up until 2021, if there was a single tag out of the ~12000 NR quota available, it you could buy one in an uncapped zone. There were no zone specific quotas prior to that.


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Yes, you are right about the elk quotas being implemented for the historically non-capped elk zones. However, the deer tags were unit-specific in 2021 (Dec 2020 sale). As I recall, at EOD 12/1 in 2022, all deer tags were sold out. Lolo and maybe one other elk zone were still available the next day. Since 2023, everything sold out first day.

 

[steelheadmike]

Yes, you are right about the elk quotas being implemented for the historically non-capped elk zones. However, the deer tags were unit-specific in 2021 (Dec 2020 sale). As I recall, at EOD 12/1 in 2022, all deer tags were sold out. Lolo and maybe one other elk zone were still available the next day. Since 2023, everything sold out first day.

Thanks. My brain thought the unit specific deer tags came after the elk tags but they were implemented for the Dec 1 2021 tag sale.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Thanks. My brain thought the unit specific deer tags came after the elk tags but they were implemented for the Dec 1 2021 tag sale.

Well, I know the deer tags were unit specific for the 2021 season because I hunted with a NR buddy. I also know that the 2019 resident capped tag sale involved the old online system without the waiting room. I don't remember if the new online system was put in for 2020 and if it coincided with the new arrangement for NR tags. I want to say that it all came in the same year.

 

[Chickenchit]

I hope they move it to June with the controlled hunt draw. Guys would think twice about picking up a “just in case” tag with most of the other draws done.

It seems like I remember seeing on their last meeting minutes that they were adamant about continuing to be the first state to go on sale for nonresidents unfortunately

 

[OneGunTex]

Honestly it sounds ideal for everyone. IDFG will get more money (from everyone who enters but doesn't draw.) Nonresidents can plan out their hunts better without panic buying the mad scramble or having to travel to ID to get tags. Residents will have more leftover tags for units that don't have a ton of NR demand.

Actually that's not totally true. Worse off for WA/MT/WY NRs that used to be able to drive across the border easy. And worse for guides/people that enriched themselves buying tags for others.

 

[Fullfan]

Proposed; to enter the 2026 draw you will have to a 2026 hunting license. Also, the fee to enter the draw will be waived for the 2026 draw.

 

[doc holiday13]

Correct from what I heard that will be how it will work.

It'll weed out the people who are looking for the "easy" button

 

[IdahoBeav]

https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/5-b-non-resident_tag_issuance_temporary_rule_action_2-rules_draft.pdf

 

[Bowhunter50]

I missed the NR tag part of the meeting. Looks like they’re talking about fish now.

Did they approve this or make any progress? Seems like this leaves out important details like dates and costs.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/5-b-non-resident_tag_issuance_temporary_rule_action_2-rules_draft.pdf

 

[IdahoBeav]

I missed the NR tag part of the meeting. Looks like they’re talking about fish now.

Did they approve this or make any progress? Seems like this leaves out important details like dates and costs.

I also did not catch that portion. I assume the information on the document is what was determined today. The rest will come later?

IDFG will post the entire meeting to YouTube in the next day or so.

 

[idelkslayer]

Allowing 5 choices for the NR draw could mean fewer leftovers for second tags.

 

[Fullfan]

This is what they posted at the meeting yesterday. There was some back and forth about the fee for the drawing, being 18.00 the commissioners did not know what to do.

Seems they were afraid the 180.00 nonresident hunting license will deter ppl from applying for the draw.

 

[Bowhunter50]

Thanks, that’s super helpful! Agree, the $180 does seem a little expensive. In all the states I apply that would be the most expensive with NV and AZ close behind.

 

[Ross]

If there going to do this make it a little painful I say raise it to $200.I’ve seen more changes than 99% elk hunting Idaho. Thankfully I hunt crappy areas for most peeps.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

If there going to do this make it a little painful I say raise it to $200.I’ve seen more changes than 99% elk hunting Idaho. Thankfully I hunt crappy areas for most peeps.

Why not $2000, and a sacrificial offering of a goat and 3bu of grain.

 

[wind gypsy]

Seems they were afraid the 180.00 nonresident hunting license will deter ppl from applying for the draw.

I think it will definitely limit some people. It's one thing if you need to pay for a hunting license every year in a state to apply and get points like CO, AZ, and NV. If you dont get preference in future years people aren't going to apply every year if they've got other states in play.