3 February Idaho OTC Elk Tags: Hurry or Be Left Out February 3, 2020By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information Elk Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts 0 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. Most elk zones in Idaho have limited quotas for OTC tags, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Elk tags for the Middle Fork Zone, which includes Unit 27 where Wild Idaho Outfitters operates, are limited to 174 nonresident A tags and 267 nonresident B tags. Last year (2019) the Middle Fork nonresident B tags sold out by June 7th, and all nonresident elk tags in Idaho, including Middle Fork A tags, were gone by August 16th. (Resident tags did not sell out.) This year, Idaho Fish & Game expects nonresident Middle Fork tags to sell out much earlier. In the past, hunters have often held off purchasing OTC tags until they have seen their controlled-hunt draw results. The controlled-hunt draw results for Wyoming and Idaho come out June 20th and July 10th, respectively, which is cutting it close for buying OTC tags if you don’t draw. Keep in mind though, general OTC elk tags can be exchanged for controlled-hunt tags if they are drawn in July. This is an important strategy to consider: if you buy an OTC elk tag early, you can still apply for an Idaho controlled hunt tag, and if you don’t draw you still get to go elk hunting with your OTC tag. If you do draw, you just swap out your OTC tag for the draw tag. With the increasing demand for Idaho OTC tags, I would highly recommend keeping a close eye on the number of remaining tags available, if you want to ensure a spot in the woods this fall. You can do this by checking idfg.idaho.gov, and searching for, “nonresident tag quotas”. If you get left out and do not obtain an elk tag before they’re gone, there is also the option to purchase Outfitter Set-Aside tags until August 1st. Be vigilant, quick, and decisive. Good hunting. Joe Cavanaugh Related Posts 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. 10 Reasons Why Idaho is THE Best Place to Hunt in the West in 2014 1. Tags…Idaho has tags 2. Game…Idaho has always, and is doing even more so now, producing good QUALITY elk, deer and bear, and now we can even hunt wolves. 2010 Idaho Hunting Season Comes to a Close Hunting season in Idaho’s backcountry unit 27 comes to an official close on November 18 and this year the snow began to roll in about then. So after 2 days of packing out camp it was time to chain up and haul livestock over the pass to winter quarters and begin the drying out of tents, tack and equipment. Riding in to pack camp after the last hunter leaves is always sort of a bitter sweet journey. Don’t be a fool this April 1. Get out and hunt Idaho spring bears and apply for a trophy species. April 1 is the beginning of a lot of cool things here in Idaho. It is the official beginning day of the backcountry spring bear seasons and it is the day to begin the application process for Idaho trophy species. Idaho defines trophy species as Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats and Moose. If you have the desire to hunt one of these species in Idaho this year, it is time to put in your application. 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. Comment (0) Comments are closed.