FAQs for the December 10 Sale
Q. When is the Nonresident Deer and Elk tag sale in 2024 (for 2025 tags)?
A. December 10, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. Mountain time.
Q. Why did the Nonresident Deer and Elk tag sale date change?
A. In an effort to ensure resident renewals and Auto-Renew transaction processing times are reasonable, we moved the Nonresident Deer and Elk tag sale to December 10. Additionally, given that December 1 is on a Sunday, immediately following Thanksgiving and Black Friday, we believe that this new date allows customers more flexibility to participate in the sale and gives vendors the opportunity to secure staffing.
Q. When can a nonresident purchase their 2025 licenses, permits, and unlimited tags (not deer and elk)?
Nonresidents can purchase their licenses, permits, and unlimited tags (such as mountain lion, bear, and turkey tags) beginning on December 1. Deer and Elk limited tags will not be available until 12/10. Note that nonresident junior mentored hunters can purchase uncapped elk zone and statewide regular or white-tailed deer tags at any time, and only need to participate in the December 10th sale if attempting to purchase a capped elk zone tag. Nonresident lifetime license holders can purchase deer and elk tags when they become available to residents in the summer.
Q. When can nonresident lifetime license holders purchase their 2025 licenses, permits, and tags?
Nonresident lifetime license holders can purchase licenses, permits, and most unlimited tags beginning on December 1. However, deer and elk tags will be available for purchase when they become available to residents in the summer.
Q. What will be available on December 1, 2024?
Resident 2024 and 2025 licenses, permits, and unlimited tags will be available. Nonresident licenses, permits, and unlimited tags for 2024 and 2025 will be available.
Q. What will be available on December 10, 2024?
Nonresident licenses, permits, and deer and elk tags for 2025 will be available at 10 a.m. Nonresident products not specific to the sale (mountain lion tags, bear tags, sharp-tailed grouse permits, etc.) will not be available.
Resident 2024 and 2025 products will be turned off online and through phone sales, but will remain available for purchase at IDFG offices and vendor locations. Online and phone sales will resume once the nonresident tag sale has completed.
Q. When will Auto-Renew transactions process?
Auto-Renew will be processed in the early morning hours of December 1.
Q. Will items purchased online/over the phone be printed and mailed in time for January hunting/fishing?
Resident renewals, Auto-Renew transactions, and items purchased December 1 – December 10 will be prioritized for printing and mailing to ensure customers receive their items as timely as possible.
However, after December 10, to ensure customers who need 2024 end-of-year products and/or January 2025 products can have them in hand, notchable items will only be available for purchase in person at IDFG offices and vendor locations. Salmon and Steelhead permits will be available online and by phone, but only as electronic permits for e-tagging. Paper salmon/steelhead permits must be purchased in person.
Due to the high volume of transactions on December 10, we cannot guarantee items will be delivered before January. To guarantee mailing does not disrupt a hunting or fishing trip, residents and nonresidents can purchase in person between December 11 and December 31 to get their items immediately printed.
Q. Why are online and phone sales being turned off for notch-able products after December 10?
Due to the high volume of transactions on 12/10, we cannot guarantee items will be delivered before January. To guarantee mailing does not disrupt a hunting or fishing trip, residents and nonresidents can purchase in person between December 11 and December 31 to get their items immediately printed.
Q. Do I need to buy a Salmon or Steelhead permit in person after December 10?
Electronic Salmon and Steelhead permits will be available online and through phone sales, but only as electronic permits for e-tagging. Paper salmon/steelhead permits must be purchased in person after December 10. Note that anglers cannot switch to a paper permit if they select e-tagging for their 2025 permit.
Q. How do I select e-tagging for Salmon or Steelhead permits?
When purchasing a 2025 permit, select the “E-tagging” option after adding the Salmon or Steelhead permit to the cart. If E-tagging is not selected, you will receive a paper permit.
If the Salmon/Steelhead permit is set up for Auto-Renew, you can update to e-tagging by logging into your GoOutdoorsIdaho.com customer account, clicking the “Auto-Renew Settings” tab from the green menu options, and update your preferences for your Salmon/Steelhead permit.
Q. Can a nonresident receive a refund on their license if they buy before December 10 to prepare for the sale?
No. Nonresidents are not eligible for a refund of their license (except for illness, death, or military deployment). Note that the license can be used to apply for a controlled hunt, and to participate in returned tag sales throughout the year.
Q. What refund options are available to nonresidents?
Nonresidents are not eligible for a refund of their license (except for illness, death, or military deployment). However, nonresidents may be eligible for a partial refund of their tag fees. Please visit our refund informational webpage for details.
Q. Will the nonresident deer and elk tag sale be on December 10 in subsequent years?
The date of the nonresident deer and elk tag sale in 2025 will be discussed after the 2024 sale date has passed. The Department will determine if this date change will be applied in future years based on the feedback from our customers.
