29 May Last Chance for Idaho Controlled Hunt Tags May 29, 2020By Joe Cavanaugh Announcements, General Information Elk Hunts, Idaho Hunts, Mule Deer Hunts 0 Time is running out to apply for elk, deer, and pronghorn controlled hunts in Idaho—the deadline being June 5th. Idaho does not use a bonus/preference point system for controlled hunts, so you have just as good of a chance at drawing a tag as anyone else. All residents and nonresidents need to apply is a general hunting license and pay an application fee of $6.25 for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents, per species. The cost of the tag is not paid for until after you have drawn. If successful you will be notified by July 10, and the tag must be purchased by August 1. That’s a pretty fair deal, comparatively speaking.Castle Creek Outfitters operates in the Salmon B elk-hunting zone, where there are no controlled-hunt elk tags as they are sold over the counter. This year however, nonresident elk tags for Salmon B sold out in just 3 days (Dec. 1–3, 2019), and resident tags sold out within a week of that. Castle Creek Outfitters still has some “outfitter allocated” elk tags left for Salmon B, which are obtainable directly from the outfitter. These offer you the opportunity for a great hunt without having to gamble for controlled-hunt tags. Unit 28 does have an excellent, late-season, controlled-hunt for mule deer, which runs all the way through the rut in November.This is a highly sought-after tag with only 5 resident and 1 nonresident tags available. Fortunately, for us at Castle Creek Outfitters, we are in possession of the 1 nonresident tag and are able to guide the hunter who chooses to purchase it through us. So, if you or someone you know is in the market for a high quality mule deer hunt in November, contact us and let’s put together a hunt to remember!If you can hunt the first week in November and choose to, we can add an elk tag to that hunt and make it a combo!For detailed information and statistics on Idaho controlled hunts click on this link: https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/big-gameGood hunting,Joe Cavanaugh Related Posts Idaho Controlled-Hunt Application Period for Elk, Deer, Antelope, and Fall Bear Opens May 1st 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. Idaho Spring Black Bear Hunting The application deadline for Idaho controlled-hunt, spring bear tags is February 15. Fortunately for all of us, most Idaho black bear tags are sold over-the-counter (OTC). This includes tags for units 28 and 27, where Castle Creek and Wild Idaho Outfitters conduct their bear hunts. The reduced-price or “wilderness tag” is good for all of Unit 27 and those portions of Unit 28 within the Frank Church Wilderness, as well as within most designated wilderness areas in the state of Idaho. Last minute cancellation: Idaho Mountain Lion, Wolf, Bobcat and Coyote Hunt With all that has been going on this last little while, we find one of our regular hunters in need of a last-minute cancellation. We thought, no problem, there must be someone out there ready to go “off the grid” on an Idaho backcountry predator hunt to escape some of this madness for a little while. Phase 2 in Planning Your 2020 Hunts Dates to keep in mind this month while planning your 2020 hunts are March 5th, the controlled-hunt application deadline for all species in Utah; and April 1st, the controlled-hunt application deadline for elk and deer tags in Montana. Utah offers some outstanding tags as far as trophy and overall quality are concerned. Analyzing Controlled-Hunt Statistics: Priorities First We’re well into controlled-hunt application season throughout most of the West. If you’re not already analyzing harvest statistics, draw odds, and overall scores and ratings on specific game units and seasons, you still have time to start. Facets that figure into the equation of best-choice-in-tags to apply for include: potential trophy quality; past success rates; hunting pressure; difficulty of terrain; accessibility of accommodations; and of course—draw odds. 2020 Salmon B Tags already sold out Idaho nonresident hunting tags went on sale December 1, 2019 and in only 9 short days the Salmon B Elk Tags were sold out. Wow! Seems that Idaho is being rediscovered as a place to hunt. I have often said that Idaho is the best kept secret in the hunting world, and it appears the secret is getting out. With OTC tags and good game populations, it is no wonder. If you had your sights set on hunting the Salmon B region this year (B tag is rifle tag), you still have the option to book with an outfitter. In Idaho, thankfully and gratefully, outfitters are guaranteed elk tags and have a certain amount of set aside deer tags for the hunting public that want to use the services of an outfitter. Comment (0) Comments are closed.