Time is running out for discounted second general season tags

Time is running out for hunters wanting to buy a second general season deer or elk tag at a discount. During August, resident and nonresident hunters can buy remaining nonresident general season tags to be used as second tags for discounted prices of $199 for deer and $350 for elk. After August, the second tag prices will return to their regular price of $300 and $415. These prices do not include the $1.75 vendor fees. Fish and Game is forecasting better deer and elk hunting this year because of consecutive mild winters and excellent survival of deer and elk. Any hunter who has purchased a hunting license and a 2015 deer or elk tag at the regular resident or nonresident prices can buy a discounted second general season tag for the same species. Tags are sold on a first come, first served basis and supplies are limited to the available nonresident tag quota. Tags are available at Fish and Game offices and license and tag vendors, online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov, or by calling 1-800-554-8685. Fish and Game sold discounted deer and elk tags last year as an incentive for hunters to buy the remaining quota of nonresident tags, but commissioners decided this year to limit the discount sale to August. The nonresident quota is 12,815 elk tags and 15,500 deer tags, and since 2008, a portion of the nonresident quota has gone unsold. Fish and Game has seen increased tag sales due in part to improved deer and elk hunting in Idaho and a better economy. Through July, sale of nonresident elk tags is up 25 percent over the same period last year, and up 14 percent for deer tags. Nonresident tag quotas are factored into projected harvest rates, so Fish and Game officials don't expect increased sales, either as nonresident tags or second tags, will lead to overharvesting of deer or elk. Last year, hunters using second tags accounted for 2.5 percent of the statewide elk harvest and 3 percent of the statewide deer harvest. This is the second year of discounted nonresident tags sold as second tags, but the program is not new. Nonresident deer and elk tags have been sold as second tags since 2000. For more information about the second tags, go to https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/2tags.