Licenses, tags, and permits | Idaho Fish and Game

Where, how and what to purchase to hunt, fish and trap.

License Purchase Options

Hunting

To hunt in Idaho you need a hunting license. Depending on the species you want to hunt, you may need a tag or permit.

Idaho has both controlled and general season hunts. General season tags are available on a first-come, first served basis. Hunters need to apply for controlled hunts, which are issued through a random drawing.

Fishing

To fish in Idaho any person 14 years of age or older must have a valid fishing license.

Anglers younger than 14 do not need a license, but there is a small difference between resident and nonresident youth.

A resident child under 14 has their own separate fishing limit.
A nonresident child under 14 must be with someone who has a valid fishing license and their fish are in included in the license holders fishing limit. However, a nonresident child may purchase their own license and have their own limit.

Special fishing permits are need for some activities for both residents and nonresidents:

Fishing for salmon and steelhead
Fishing with two poles.

Prices

Find the cost of a license, tag, or permit. Fees are separated into resident and nonresident categories.

Not sure if you are a resident?
Idaho Residency

Resident Fees

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Permits

Permit Fees

Nonresident Fees

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Special Items

News

Hunters: Buy deer tags early to avoid the last minute rush

Tuesday, October 8, 2019 - 12:53 PM MDT

Deer hunters have a lot to look forward to this season, but standing in a long line waiting to buy a tag should not be one of them. Fish and Game is anticipating high volumes of sales immediately before the opening day on Oct. 10. By buying tags early, hunters can avoid the last-minute rush.

Licenses, tags, and permits Big Game Hunting Licenses, Tags and Permits – Nonresident Nonresident Tag Quotas Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region
Don't commit license fraud, buy the right licenses and tags

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 10:19 AM MDT

One of the most common fish and game violations detected by conservation officers doesn’t occur in the field, but at the license vendor. The violation is known as fraudulent license purchase, or purchase of a wrong class license, and it occurs when a nonresident purchases a resident license using some sort of misrepresentation.

Panhandle Region Licenses, tags, and permits Licenses, Tags and Permits – Nonresident Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules
Update Sept. 13: All nonresident elk and deer tags sold out

Friday, September 13, 2019 - 9:21 PM MDT

Fish and Game licensing section reported all regular nonresident deer and elk tags have sold out. Limits apply only to nonresident deer tags. There is no limit on the number of resident deer tags available.

Licenses, tags, and permits Deer Hunting Licenses, Tags and Permits – Nonresident Nonresident Tag Quotas
Hunters: Buy deer tags early to avoid the last minute rush

Tuesday, September 10, 2019 - 5:16 PM MDT

Deer hunters have a lot to look forward to this season, but standing in a long line waiting to buy a tag should not be one of them. Fish and Game is anticipating high volumes of sales immediately before the opening day on Oct. 10. By buying tags early, hunters can avoid the last-minute rush.

Licenses, tags, and permits Big Game Hunting Licenses, Tags and Permits – Nonresident Nonresident Tag Quotas Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region
Second controlled hunt draw results now online

Thursday, August 22, 2019 - 3:09 PM MDT

Results of the second controlled hunt drawing have been posted. Lookup results Unclaimed tags

Controlled Hunt Information Controlled Hunt Results Information Big Game Hunting Elk hunting Deer Hunting Hunting Wild Turkey Hunting Pronghorn Hunting Licenses, tags, and permits Elk (Cervus canadensis) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Hunters: nonresident/second elk tags are sold out for 2019

Friday, August 16, 2019 - 9:40 AM MDT

Nonresident hunters who plan to buy a deer tag, or resident hunters interested in buying a second tag, should do so quickly.

Big Game Hunting Elk hunting Deer Hunting Licenses, tags, and permits Second Tags Nonresident Tag Quotas Elk (Cervus canadensis) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
2019 second controlled hunt drawing information (now closed)

Friday, August 2, 2019 - 4:27 PM MDT

The following tags were available for application for the 2019 second controlled hunt drawing: 1123 tags for deer, 1259 tags for elk, 127 for pronghorn, and 34 for black bear. Drawing results will be released by Aug. 25. The application period is now closed.

Controlled Hunt Information Controlled Hunt Results Information Licenses, tags, and permits Big Game Hunting Deer Hunting Elk hunting Hunting

License vendor screen / Photo by Vicky Osborn

Vicky Osborn for IDFG

Purchase Licenses,
Tags and Permits

At License Vendors
At Regional Offices
With a credit card* -
- Online*
- Or by Phone: 1-800-554-8685

* There is a processing fee for applications made by phone and online.

Videos

How to buy an Idaho fishing and hunting license huntfishidaho.net

Frequently Asked Questions