Ask Fish and Game: Exchanging Tags
idfg-mcoleman
Q. I hunted an archery-only elk hunt in September and had no luck at all. Since I didn't harvest my elk can I exchange my tag for another zone?
A. No. Once the season for which your elk tag is valid has opened, your tag can no longer be exchanged. But you are allowed to buy a left-over nonresident tag for a different zone.