General Season Hunts

Fish and Game is committed to providing hunters with the opportunity to pursue big game every year. An over-the-counter tag, also known as a general season tag, is the simplest way to do that.

When to buy an over-the-counter tag

Residents of Idaho – Hunters can purchase over the counter bear, mountain lion, turkey, wolf tags for the coming year starting on December 1. Residents may also purchase deer and elk receipts that can be redeemed for the general season or controlled hunt tags after the controlled hunt drawings have been released. Capped zone elk tags go on sale on a different date and time (see big game proclamations for information on capped elk zones).

Notice: 5-day waiting period rule change

Beginning in 2020, resident hunters who apply for a controlled hunt must wait five days after tags become available to purchase a capped elk zone tag.

Learn more

Nonresidents – Hunters can purchase over-the-counter tags any time after December 1 for the coming year. No drawings. No waiting. Just buy your license and tags and go hunting during the hunting season.
Please note: Nonresident deer and elk tags sold out in 2019.

More things to know
If you want to hunt deer and elk in Idaho, think about buying your tags early.

Resident and nonresident tags are available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Some units have quotas and sell out early.
- For nonresidents, there are a limited number of general season deer and elk tags available.
- For residents, some elk zones are limited.
Over-the-counter tags involve most hunting units and zones, but not all.
Opportunities vary depending on the type of weapon being used.
After August 1, unsold nonresident over-the-counter tags go on sale as second tags to both residents and nonresidents.

These maps generally show where over-the-counter (also know as general season) tags are available. Check the Big Game Seasons and Rules book for specifics on each unit and zone.