5 February Second Chance Draw for Idaho Elk and Deer Tags February 5, 2026By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, General Information, Guided Hunts Deer Hunts, Elk Hunts, Elk-Hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Mule-Deer-Hunts 0 Today, February 5, 2026, begins the second chance draw period for Idaho’s (formerly) over the counter elk and deer tags. Take advantage of applying in a state that has no points system because you at least know you have a chance of drawing a tag verses those states where points are so stacked against you that you simply “begin” the process of donating money to that state’s draw system for years until such time that you have accumulated enough points to even be in the running for a tag. Please don’t be confused by this draw either as to whether it is about Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose or controlled hunts for elk and deer. It is NOT! Those hunt draw processes begin at their usual times of April for trophy species and May for elk, deer and antelope controlled hunt draws. Lest I forget, applications for controlled hunts for turkey and spring bear are also going on right now. As usual, if you have any questions about our area, the process or even suggestions on where to apply, please contact us and we will do our best to help you get to hunt in one of the greatest western states to hunt in! Finally, consider taking a kid hunting with you! They are the future of hunting and conservation! Happy hunting! Related Posts 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 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. Spot Available for Late Season Idaho Mule Deer Hunt in the Rut Putting in for draw hunts in multiple states, at first glance, seems like it would increase your odds of drawing a tag…and you would be right…BUT it also increases your chances at drawing the potentially unwanted scenario of drawing 2 tags in 2 states and being married to a woman who only allows 1 hunt per year Idaho Controlled-Hunt Application Period Now Open for Elk, Deer, Antelope, and Fall Bear The tag application period in Idaho for controlled-hunt elk, deer, pronghorn, and fall bear tags runs from May 1 to June 5. Successful applicants will be notified by July 10, and tags must be purchased by August 1. Tags not purchased by August 1 will be forfeited to a second application period, which runs from August 5 to August 15. Last Day to Apply for Idaho Nonresident Elk and Deer Tags This is the first year that Idaho has made nonresidents put in for the formerly OTC (over the counter) general season elk and deer tags and now, today is the last day you can put in for those hunts. Obviously, this is just the first “go round” but for sure, all the good and desirable areas will be gobbled up in this first draw period. Keep in mind that this first draw does not apply to trophy species: moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep. 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. Comment (0)