When to buy a general season over-the-counter tag
Residents of Idaho – Hunters can purchase general season over-the-counter (OTC) bear, mountain lion, turkey, and wolf tags for the coming year starting on December 1. Residents may also purchase deer and elk receipts that can be redeemed for the general season or controlled hunt tags after the controlled hunt drawings have been released. Capped zone elk tags go on sale on a different date and time (see big game proclamations for information on capped elk zones).
Nonresidents – Hunters can purchase general season over-the-counter (OTC) bear, mountain lion, turkey, and wolf tags for the coming year starting on December 1. NEW in 2026: Nonresident general season deer and elk tags will be issued via an application and draw process. Nonresident tags that are returned throughout the year will still be offered over-the-counter during designated Returned Tag Sales. Click the link below for more details on the 2026 Nonresident Draw.
Nonresident Draw
Notice: 5-day waiting period rule
Beginning in 2020, resident hunters who apply for a controlled hunt must wait five days after tags become available to purchase a capped elk zone tag.
More things to know
If you want to hunt deer and elk in Idaho, think about buying your tags early.
- Some units and zones have quotas and limits and have high demand.
- For nonresidents, there are a limited number of general season deer and elk tags available.
- For residents, some elk zones are limited.
- In early August, unsold nonresident general season tags go on sale as second tags to both residents and nonresidents
- Note: These are only available when the nonresident quota has not sold out.
