The Idaho Fish and Game Commission is considering two options for the 2019 hunting season in the Sawtooth Elk Zone, and hunters can take a brief survey to show their preferences. Deadline to comment is July 2.
The elk population within the Sawtooth Elk Zone (Units 33, 34, 35, and 36) has increased in recent years, but remains below Fish and Game's elk management plan objectives. The cap on A and B tags remains in place to limit hunter participation and harvest.
Sawtooth elk hunts have become very popular as elk numbers and harvest have increased in recent years. Tags are currently sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting July 12, with half being sold at Fish and Game offices and license vendors and the other half sold online. Sawtooth tags have sold out within minutes, which left many hunters unable to buy one.
Current options being explored include converting both A and B tag hunts to controlled hunts, or keeping the A tag as a general hunt and converting some of the B tags to controlled hunts.
Here are the options being reviewed.