Below is a news release from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game.
Application period will be in December 2025
Nonresident hunters will apply for a drawing for 2026 deer/elk tags, and they can submit their applications in early December and results will be posted by early January.
The following rules and procedures will apply:
- A 2026 hunting license is required for a nonresident hunter to apply for a tag
- There is no application fee
- Up to five tag choices can be made per application per species
- Up to four hunters can be on one application (each must have a hunting license)
- Successful applicants must buy their tags by a deadline date, or the tag will be forfeited
- Tags not drawn, or not bought by the deadline date, will be available in a second application period in January
- Participating in the drawing for nonresident general tags will not affect a hunter’s ability to participate in controlled hunt drawings.
Disabled American Veteran (DAV) tags
DAV tags will have a separate drawing for the reduced fee DAV tags. Hunters eligible for DAV may also apply for nonresident tags but will pay full nonresident tag prices.
Junior mentored tags
Nonresident Junior Mentored Tags will continue to be available, but junior mentored hunters only need to apply for elk tags in capped zones. Uncapped elk tags and deer tags will be available over the counter for junior mentored hunters after the nonresident draws are completed.
Lifetime license holders
Lifetime license holders who are nonresidents can buy tags outside of the nonresident quotas, so they will not have to apply for general season nonresident tags. Tags for lifetime license holders can be purchased in the summer when resident tags become available.
(Photo credit: Idaho Department of Fish & Game)