14 April Clarification on Idaho Fish & Game Nonresident License/Tag Suspension April 14, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Black Bear Hunts, Drop Camps, Elk Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Youth Hunts 0 There’s been some confusion about the temporary suspension of some nonresident licenses, permits, and tags sales by the Idaho Fish & Game Commission, due to COVID-19. So, let me clarify as far as big-game licenses and tags are concerned. At this time nonresidents may not purchase game tags for black bear, cougar, and gray wolf. However, nonresidents who had a written agreement with a licensed outfitter prior to April 4 are allowed to buy bear, lion, and wolf licenses, tags, permits for the outfitted trip. Nonresidents can also purchase general hunting licenses, as well as nonresident deer and elk tags (for this fall); and nonresidents who purchase a 2020 hunting license can still apply for controlled hunts that will occur this fall. To sum it up: Nonresidents who booked a hunt with an outfitter before April 4, 2020 are good to go this May and June for bear, cougar, and wolf, whether they bought their tags before April 4th or not. Licenses and tags for bear, cougar, and wolf purchased before April 4, 2020 by nonresidents who are not hunting with a licensed outfitter are still valid for existing hunting, and trapping seasons, which remain in effect. Nonresidents who did not have an agreement with and outfitter before April or who did not purchase tags before April 4, cannot buy tags for bear, cougar, or wolf for the time being. Nonresident may still purchase general hunting licenses and currently available OTC nonresident deer and elk tags (for fall 2020). Nonresidents who have a 2020 general hunting license may still apply for controlled big-game hunts which remain in effect this fall. (Elk, deer, pronghorn application period runs from May 1 – June 5.) (Moose, sheep, goat application period runs April 1 – April 30.) The purpose of these new rules is to limit interstate travel to Idaho during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more details, including fishing licenses, see: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/nonresident-licenses-permits-and-tags-sales-temporarily-suspended-fg-commission And: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/fg-commission-amends-earlier-decision-and-allows-more-nonresident-license-tag-and-permit-sales Hang in there, we’ll soon be hunting. Joe Cavanaugh Related Posts Idaho Fish & Game Commission Extends Wolf Hunting and Trapping Seasons Idaho Fish and Game recently extended wolf hunting seasons, opened more areas to wolf trapping and extended trapping seasons over most of the state. Changes went into effect immediately on February 20, 2020. Wolf hunting season in Frank Church Wilderness game units 20A, 26, and 27 has been extended by one month. Avoid the December 1 Black Friday Idaho Nonresident Tag Sale: Book with an Idaho Outfitter If you have hunted Idaho in recent years or are intending to this year, you probably know that Idaho’s nonresident deer and elk tags go on sale December 1. This year it just happens to fall on a Friday. We have heard from hunters and some Idaho Fish and Game personnel that it can be quite the “Black Friday” adventure trying to get in line (online or in person) to get your chance at an Idaho nonresident elk or deer tag. An Idaho Elk Hunt to Remember This is a “short” story about a hunter/client/friend of ours who is part of a group of guys we affectionately call the “Cali boys”. His name is Bill Bunch and someone in his group has hunted with us consistently for 11 straight seasons. He is one of those guys that in my opinion is a true sportsman. Let me explain. Idaho OTC Deer Tags: A Finite Resource Idaho has some great opportunities for hunting trophy mule deer with OTC tags on public land—as good as or better than anywhere in the West. General, OTC, any-weapon deer tags are valid in any game unit in the state which is not limited to controlled-hunt tags only. This includes the general deer seasons in Units 27 and 28 where Wild Idaho Outfitters and Castle Creek Outfitters operate. Idaho Resumes Sales of Nonresident Licenses and Tags We’re back on track again for spring bear. As of May 16, 2020, Idaho hunting licenses, tags, and permits will be available to buy online, at retail vendors, or by calling (800) 554-8685. Idaho OTC Elk Tags: Hurry or Be Left Out There is no other state in the Western US comparable to Idaho when it comes to providing you the opportunity to go elk hunting every year, using OTC (over-the-counter) tags. However, as controlled-hunt tags in neighboring states become increasingly difficult to draw, the demand for Idaho OTC tags has been increasing also. An example of this is the nonresident Salmon B elk tags, which sold out this year in just 3 days (Dec. 1–3, 2019), and resident tags sold out within a week of that. Comment (0) Comments are closed.