Idaho Elk, Mule Deer and Black Bear Blog

Time to Apply for Formerly OTC Tags this Year in Idaho

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 02:08:26 GMT

Seems the only constant in life is change and that adage seems to hold especially true in the hunting world. It seems to me that meetings are held and changes made “just because” every year and this year is no different!

Beginning December 5, 2025, nonresidents who want to hunt elk and deer in formerly OTC units will need to apply for those tags. The application period runs from December 5 to 15, 2025 with results being posted in early January 2026.

Now that we are 5 days into this process, what have we learned? One thing to remind you of is that these are only for formerly OTC tags and this draw is not about any trophy species (Moose, Sheep, or Mountain Goats), nor does it involve controlled hunts for elk, deer, bear, or antelope. These applications and draws will still take place in the spring.

Second thing we learned is that Idaho is NOT a “techy” state and do seem to make what you think would be easy, as challenging as they can. So, to apply it appears to be a three-step process.

1. Review the regs supplemental section to learn the number of the hunt you want you apply for.

2. Purchase your license online.

3. Then and only then do you need to click on (from your own personal account of course) the “Submit An Application” button and with the knowledge you gained from step one, you can now apply for a tag.

You can apply for up to 5 hunt choices on each application so it would seem that you are more than likely to get a tag, it simply may be your last-choice hunt if you apply for more than one.

We apologize for the repeated emails in this period to remind you. Not to be a pain, but because we often get busy and say, “I’ll apply tomorrow”, then the 16th shows up and now you are stuck hunting with an outfitter who still has tags instead of being able to hunt on your own. So, think of these emails as simply “gentle reminders” to stop procrastinating and apply for those tags you think you want to be able to continue your tradition of hunting in some of the lower 48’s most amazing country…Idaho!

Finally, if you want help, advice or just to vent about the drawing process, please contact us and we will be happy to assist or simply listen.

Best of luck in the draw and most importantly, always remember to take a kid hunting with you!

George

Cancellation Hunt

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 20:09:22 GMT

Somebody must have drawn some lucky tag somewhere because we had a last-minute cancellation. We have room for 3 to 4 hunters opening week of our combo season. We have 3 elk and 4 deer tags available for October 14-20, 2025.

Combo hunting in Central Idaho is one of the coolest ways to be able to get out and pursue multiple big game animals including elk, deer, bear and wolf.

If you haven’t drawn a tag or made final plans for this fall yet contact us about this hunt during opening week in Central Idaho’s Salmon River Mountains. This is a horseback hunt. Our camp is a drive in, but after that getting around is done on horseback, so it is best to be comfortable on a horse.

With the last few mild winters and the sheer numbers of game animals we saw last year and antlers growing this spring, we have very high expectations for this fall’s hunts!

So, check on your friends draw results, and if you drew the same “unsuccessful” tag, you still have a chance to hunt this fall.

Good luck!

Aaaand They’re Gone!

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 11:00:00 GMT

As has been the case for many a year, Idaho put their nonresident big game hunting licenses and tags up for sale on December 1, 2020 at 10 am.

It didn’t take long for those who logged on to the fish and game website to buy them that day to realize that it was going to take a little effort and a great measure of patience as there were literally thousands upon thousands of would-be nonresident Idaho hunters with great hopes and anticipation of getting an early Christmas present in the form of an elk and/or deer tag of their choosing.

Sadly, for many, their dreams of hunting this great state of Idaho were dashed at checkout when the tags were sold out more rapidly than one could enter their credit card number in the checkout cart.

Again, sadly, Idaho resident hunters were successful in reducing the number of nonresident tags so dramatically this year that many of the units’ tags sold out in literally hours verses weeks and months as in the past.

All hope is not lost however, as Idaho hunting outfitters will all have an allocation of tags this year available for nonresident hunters who choose to book with an outfitter for their 2021 and beyond Idaho hunting adventures.

So, if you still have an inclination to hunt Idaho, contact us or another Idaho outfitter and get “on the calendar” for next year and get out and enjoy YOUR public lands!

Idaho Controlled-Hunt Application Period for Elk, Deer, Antelope, and Fall Bear Opens May 1st

Fri, 01 May 2020 04:01:00 GMT

The tag application period for Idaho controlled-hunt elk, deer, pronghorn, and fall bear tags opens May 1 and runs to June 5. Idaho does not use a bonus/preference point system for controlled hunts. As a result, hunters have the same odds of drawing a tag the first year they apply as they do any other year.

To apply, residents and nonresidents must have a general hunting license, and pay an application fee of $6.25 for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents—per species. Unlike many other states, the cost of the tag is not paid for upfront in Idaho, instead they are purchased after the applicant has drawn. Successful applicants are notified by July 10, and tags must be purchased by August 1. Any tags that are not purchased by August 1 will be forfeited to a second application period, which runs from August 5 to August 15. Hunters who have already applied for a moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat controlled hunt this year may not apply for any other controlled hunt (during the same year).

Castle Creek Outfitters operates in Unit 28, where there is an excellent, late-season, controlled-hunt for mule deer, which runs from October 10, all the way through the rut, to November 30 (Hunt 1018). This hunt has produced some outstanding bucks in the past. There are only 5 tags available however, and competition is fierce. (In controlled hunts with 10 or fewer tags, not more than one nonresident tag is issued). Castle Creek Outfitters also receives 1 “outfitter allocation tag” for this hunt, which is in high demand. There are no controlled-hunt, elk tags or bear tags for Unit 28, as they are all sold over the counter. Nonresident deer and elk tags are also valid to take black bear, mountain lion, or gray wolf instead of a deer or elk, if a general season is open for that species.

For detailed information and statistics on Idaho controlled hunts click on this link: https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-game

The Wyoming deer and pronghorn tag application period closes June 1 and results come out June 18. The state of Wyoming allows you to purchase preference points only for deer, pronghorn, elk, moose and sheep from July 1 to November 2.

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh

Highly American Birthdays

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 11:00:00 GMT

March is a good birthday month for bad-ass Americans, as we have no less than four to remind you of. All four of these highly American figures define where we Americans come from and who we are. We must not forget them.

Happy birthday to these and all great Americans born in the month of March.

March 2 - Sam Houston (1793)

March 3 - Chief Joseph (1840)

March 15 - Andrew Jackson (1767)

March 17 - Jim Bridger (1804)

God bless America,

Joe Cavanaugh