Can a sportsmans package be purchased prior to tag release date, such as Sawtooth Zone elk tags?

Yes. You will be issued an elk receipt that can be redeemed for a tag at a later time in the year. If you apply for an elk controlled hunt in the first drawing period, you must redeem the receipt for the controlled hunt tag by August 1. If you are going to hunt in a general season elk zone with a limited number of tags, you must redeem the receipt for the zone tag on or after July 10. All other general season elk zone tags go on sale around July 1.