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Idaho Fish and Game

Refund Information

Beginning July 1st, 2026, holders of general or controlled hunt deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat tag may receive a refund on a license and their tags in the event of an illness or injury, pregnancy of the license holder, military deployment, or death. 

IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR REFUNDS, beginning July 1, 2026: 
  • Changes have been made to refund eligibility and sliding scale refund dates. See details below.
  • The US Postal Service has changed it's practice on when mail is postmarked. A USPS postmark used to indicate the date when mail was dropped in a mailbox or submitted at the post office counter. Now, USPS is clarifying in a new rule that the postmark will reflect the date an envelope is first processed by an automated USPS sorting machine, potentially days after it was dropped off – not the actual drop-off date. IDFG Administrative rule requires the use of a postmark date when determining refund eligibility, so IDFG encourages hunters to submit their requests as quickly as possible. Some USPS offices will postmark a parcel, by request of the customer.
    https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/24/2025-20740/postmarks-and-postal-possession 

NEW Idaho Administrative Code, Refund Rule 13.01.04.601, effective July 1st, 2026:

The Department will not refund any fee for any resident or nonresident license (as defined in Section 36-202(aa), Idaho Code), except as follows, and provided the refund request is in writing, is accompanied by the original license and tag, and is received or postmarked on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which the license was valid, except in the event of death of the licensee, which must be submitted within one (1) year of the death.

The holders of general or controlled hunt deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat tag fees and hunting license fees are eligible for refund due to:

  • Death of licensee as substantiated by death certificate or published obituary;
  • Pregnancy of the tag holder with written confirmation from a licensed medical provider;
  • Illness or injury of licensee that totally disabled the licensee for the entire length of any applicable hunting season with written justification by a licensed medical provider. 

Hunting license and tag fees will not be eligible for refund if used for hunting at any time during the validity of the license and/or tag.

Nonresident general and controlled hunt deer or elk tag fees may be partially refunded for a reason other than those in the preceding subsection based on the postmark date in the below table. The hunting license fee will not be refunded.

Postmarked

Percent of Fee Refunded

Before May 1

75%

In May through June

50%

In July

25%

August through December

0%

Current Idaho Administration Code, Refund Rule 13.01.04.601, effective through June 30, 2026:

a. Nonresident general season deer or elk tag fees and prerequisite hunting license fee and controlled hunt deer and elk tag fees may be refunded for 

  • death of licensee;
  • illness or injury of licensee which totally disabled the licensee for the entire length of any applicable hunting season;
  • or military deployment of licensee due to an armed conflict.
  • Refund must be substantiated by death certificate, published obituary, written justification by a licensed medical doctor, copy of military orders, or other similar substantiating documents. 

The hunting license fee will not be refunded if it was used to apply for any controlled hunt or to purchase a turkey, mountain lion, or bear tag. 

The amount refunded will be the amount of the applicable deer or elk tag and hunting license less all issuance fees and a fifty dollar ($50) processing fee.

The refund request must be postmarked on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which the license and tags were valid. 

b. Nonresident general season and controlled hunt deer or elk tag fees may be partially refunded for any reason other than death of the licensee; illness or injury of licensee that totally disables the licensee for the entire length of all applicable seasons; or military deployment of licensee due to an armed conflict. The request for the refund must be postmarked in the year in which the tag is valid.

The hunting license fee will not be refunded. The refund will be based on the following sliding scale as a percent of the deer or elk tag fee.

Postmarked

Percent of Fee Refunded

Before April 1

75%

In April through June

50%

In July and August

25%

September through December

0%

c. The Department determines that a Department employee made an error in the issuance of the license.

d. All refund requests must be in writing and be accompanied with the original copy of the license or tag.


Refund FAQ's:
Q: How do I receive a refund?

A: First, review the refund rules above to determine if you are eligible. Then complete the Refund Request form, and send the form with all associated licenses and tags to the address noted on the form. Once we receive your request it will receive an administrative review, and you should receive a written response in about a week from the date we receive your request. Make sure the form is complete and that you return all licenses and tags so there is no delay in the review process. 

  • Refund Request Form - [PDF, 494 KB] (Note this form is only valid through June 30, 2026. An updated form will be available soon)
Q: How do I receive a refund for an illness or injury, death, or military deployment?

A:  The Refund Request Form must be completed and sent to the Department, along with all tags and licenses, with proof (e.g. death certificate, obituary, written justification by a licensed medical doctor, or copy of military orders). Hunting license fees will not be refunded after the license is used to apply for a controlled hunt or to buy a turkey, mountain lion, bear or gray wolf tag. The request must be postmarked by December 31 of the year in which the license was valid, except for an “event of death” refund, which must be submitted within 1 year of the death. 

A controlled hunt permit and tag may be made available in the same hunt for purchase by an immediate family member of a person who died before using his or her tag, and whose family had the fees refunded. Contact our Licensing office at (208) 334-2592. 

Q: Can I receive a refund for reasons outside of illness or injury, death, or military deployment?

A: If a refund is requested for any other reason, only the tag fees (not license fees) may be refunded at the following sliding scale rate (effective through June 30, 2026): 

  • Postmarked before April 1 – 75 percent refund
  • Postmarked April 1 through June 30 – 50 percent refund
  • Postmarked July 1 through August 31 – 25 percent refund
  • Postmarked September 1 through December 31 – No refund 

Effective July 1st, 2026, the dates of the sliding scale rate will be updated to:

  • Postmarked before May 1 – 75 percent refund
  • Postmarked May1 through June 30 – 50 percent refund
  • Postmarked July 1 through July 31 – 25 percent refund
  • Postmarked August 1 through December 31 – No refund 
Q: If my refund is approved, how will I receive it?

A: Refunds will be issued as a state warrant (check) and mailed to the address indicated on the refund request form.

Forms