Idaho has moved all the non-resident general deer and elk tags to a random draw. Idaho’s 2027 Nonresident General Tags booklet is now available online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-game/nr-tags.

You can apply online starting December 5 by going to https://license.gooutdoorsidaho.com. Applications are accepted online, over the phone at 800-554-8685, or in person at any Fish and Game office or Idaho license vendor. Applicants who apply for the non-resident general tag draw will still be eligible to apply in 2027 for sheep, moose, or goat, or for controlled hunts for deer, elk, and antelope.

For this draw, you have five hunt choices listed on the application; however, everyone’s first choice is awarded before anyone’s subsequent choices are considered.

Idaho residents are not limited by an overall tag quota for deer and elk. If you intend to apply in the 2027 draw for controlled hunts, keep in mind that you can still apply for a non-resident general elk or deer tag by December 15, 2026, and you can later exchange the general tag for your controlled tag if you are lucky enough to draw a controlled hunt.

New for 2027, you will need to submit the per-species application fee ($18.00 each) in addition to the price of the 2027 hunting license, which costs $195.00. You will also be charged a transaction fee of 3% plus $4.00 for online purchases. Hunting license fees will not be refunded if you do not draw. Fees must be paid with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.

Currently, there is not a point system in Idaho.

Non-resident drawing odds represented in the general elk and deer tables are calculated by dividing the number of first choice applicants by the number of non-resident tags allocated for each hunt.

The odds in our tables will provide you the most realistic draw odds as a non-resident. Notice that most draw odds are near equal across many sheep and goat hunts with the way that Idaho conducts the draw. Draw odds were calculated by simulating the draw based off of real applicant data, taking into account the 10% non-resident cap.

Youth hunters ages ten through seventeen, under the Junior Mentored Program, can purchase over-the-counter deer tags for $176.75 and uncapped zone elk tags for $299.75. The only junior hunters that should apply in this non-resident draw are those wishing to draw capped elk zone tags. Anyone with a Junior Mentored Tag must be accompanied in the field by an adult. The adult must be close enough to the youth hunter to be within normal conversation or hearing range. The adult may not mentor more than two youth hunters at one time. The adult must have a valid tag for the same species as the junior hunter.

It is legal to use mechanical broadheads and lighted nocks in the taking of wildlife during any archery season. It is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals with a bow that has less than a 40-pound draw weight or more than an 85% let-off, and arrows must have an overall length from the tip of the broadhead to the end of the nock of at least 24 inches. Arrows must weigh at least 300 grains. No electronically powered devices may be attached to the bow. To purchase an archery permit, all bowhunters must show proof that they have completed an approved bowhunter education course, show evidence of being previously licensed for an archery-only hunt in Idaho or another state, or complete an affidavit to that effect.

Muzzleloaders used in muzzleloader-only seasons must be capable of being loaded only from the muzzle, be equipped with open or peep sights only, and only use a flint, percussion cap, or musket cap.

Scopes, electronics, pelletized powder, and 209 primers are prohibited. For deer, antelope, wolf, and mountain lion, you must use a minimum of .45 caliber. For moose, bighorn sheep, goat, bear, and elk, a .50 or larger caliber must be used.

Any tags that were not purchased will go into the second draw with an application period between February 5 and 15. Results will be posted in early March, and tags must be purchased by March 20. All unclaimed and leftover tags after the second draw will be sold over-the-counter.

In our May 2027 issue, we will cover Idaho’s elk, deer, and antelope hunts that are available through the controlled hunt draw. This article and the included tables are for the draw for general tags for mule deer, whitetail deer, and elk. We have included this information to help you choose which general unit hunts you’d like to apply for and potentially hunt during the 2027 season. For further information on Idaho’s rules and regulations, refer to the Idaho controlled hunts article (May issue) or Idaho’s Big Game Regulations online.

Disabled American Veteran (DAV) tags will be available this year in a separate draw with the same deadline of December 15. DAV deer tags are valid statewide. DAV elk tags will only be available for uncapped elk zones.

Capped elk zones will only be available to hunt through the non-resident draw.

Idaho has one of the best hunt planning pages on their website, allowing users to view a map of the entire state with overlays of GMUs, roads, trailheads, etc. Go to https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/mapcenter/ to view the map and start researching. For USFS maps, call 208-373-4007.

Most of Idaho’s hunting units will have some private land issues that can inhibit access to public land. An OnX membership is highly recommended to help navigate private and public land boundaries and trailheads. Idaho also has the Access Yes! Program, which enables hunters to access private property for free. This program provides access to hundreds of thousands of acres of both public and private land and is partially funded by the Super Hunt Tag Program. To learn more about the Access Yes! Program, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov/yes.

Idaho requires non-residents riding off-highway vehicles in Idaho to purchase a non-resident off-highway vehicle (OHV) sticker. The fee will be the same $12.00 that Idaho residents are currently required to pay. Non-residents may purchase their OHV registration sticker on the IDPR website at https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/.