Hunters who successfully drew controlled hunts in Idaho this year have until Monday, August 6, 11:59pm Mountain Daylight Time to pick up their tags for elk, deer, antelope, fall turkey and fall bear.
Typically, hunters receive postcards in the mail by July 10, notifying them if they drew a controlled hunt. This provides plenty of time for hunters to pick up their tags by the regular deadline of August 1. Unfortunately, this year’s postcard notification didn’t go out until Tuesday, July 24th.
As of Monday, July 30, over 80% of the hunters who drew have already purchased their tag(s). However, because of the late mailing, the department recognizes the delay may not allow enough time for some hunters to pick up their tags. In response, the department has extended the deadline to August 6th.
The postcard notification is not the only way to learn the results of Idaho’s controlled hunts. This information is available online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/buy-online, at a license vendor or by calling 800-554-8685 once the drawing was completed, which happened July 6 of this year.
Fish and Game would like to remind hunters they do not need the postcard in their possession to claim and buy their controlled hunt tag.
Second Controlled Hunt Applications
Tags not picked up by the extended deadline of 11:59pm MDT August 6, revert back into a pool of tags available for a second controlled hunt drawing. The application window for the second drawing has been moved to Friday, August 10 through Friday, August 17.
Fish and Game encourages hunters to submit applications for the second controlled hunt drawing at a vendor or Fish and Game office to help ensure the application is error free. If hunters choose to mail their application, it must be postmarked by August 17 with correct funds or it will be unable to be processed and will be returned.
Last Chance for a Controlled Hunt Tag
Any leftover tags from undersubscribed controlled hunts will go into a pool of tags made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Monday, August 27 at 10 am MDT is the new date for these tags to go on sale at vendors, Fish and Game offices and online.
Summary of New dates for 2018 Controlled Hunts:
- Monday, August 6 to pick up controlled hunt tags by 11:59pm MDT.
- Friday, August 10 – Friday, August 17 to apply for second controlled hunt drawing.
- Monday, August 27 at 10:00 am MDT to buy leftover tags on a first-come, first-served basis.