Sale Date Changes For 2024

Available Tag Numbers

Tips for Picking Up A Tag

Researching for elk units in Idaho on GOHUNT's Filtering

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General Tag List And Zone/Unit Limits

Idaho's August 8 returned nonresident general season tag list

We are now at the third round of Idaho's returned nonresident general season sold-out deer and elk tags.

If you've asked yourself... "I didn't draw a tag. Now what?" Well... this is your chance to hunt this fall!

On the August 8 return sale date in Idaho at 10:00 am MT, there are some tags available.

NOTE: This is also when a resident can buy one unsold nonresident general season deer and elk tag at the nonresident price. So a resident can pick up a second tag, AND ALSO, a nonresident can pick up a second tag. So you could have two deer tags, or two elk tags.

New for 2024, Idaho has gone away from their typical returned tag sale dates, and they have condensed them. This year, there are only five total sale dates.

The list of available tags for that period will be made available two days before the sale opens at 10:00 a.m. These tags will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and they will sell out quickly!

Below is a list of returned tag available dates:

Tags on this list are ones that were returned back to Idaho through refunds, exchanges, etc., and then are made available for sale during a scheduled Returned Tag Sale.

Returned tags are sold online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, in person at any Idaho Fish and Game regional office or license vendor locations, and over the phone at 1-800-554-8685, beginning at 10 a.m. mountain time.

Eligible returned tags include:

Limits apply. * The asterisk below includes reserved whitetail deer tags that are made available after the initial statewide quota has sold out.

Here is a quick summary of this returned tag process:

Research on GOHUNT

You've probably heard me say it a hundred times, but in my opinion, it is very essential to prepare ahead of time for these tag sale dates because, most likely, the same long wait times that everyone experiences will happen again. Do keep in mind that certain units and zones will sell out quickly. Because of this fact, I like to have a plan in place of at least five to 10 units that I have already researched, that I'd be happy to pick up a tag for. That way, I have options if the unit or zone I'm looking at sells out, and I don't have to panic since I have a backup plan.

And remember, you can now research for these hunts on the GOHUNT mobile app as well!

If you're curious about what areas of the state each Idaho elk zone is located in, you can also find that in Filtering. Once you're in Filtering, select Idaho > Species: Elk > and then at the top, tap on "Zone Profiles." A tab will open up, allowing you to scroll through the list to see the elk zones mapped out. You can then click on a zone to pull up a short "Zone Profile" to really see what units are included in each zone.

Elk hunting in Idaho is managed in 28 elk zones with a two-tag system in most zones - A tag & B tag. Hunters may select one elk zone and choose either an A tag or a B tag, depending on leftovers. In general, A tags provide more opportunities for muzzleloader and archery hunters, and B tags provide more opportunities for rifle hunters.

Before the sale date, it's a great idea to do some research ahead of time on both Filtering and GOHUNT Maps to see what units you might be interested in. Jump over to several of our hunting research tools below:

Tags listed below were up-to-date as of August 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. MT on Idaho's returned tag page.

Note: This tag lists includes all resident capped elk zone tag counts. Note that some zones are not yet sold out, and therefore, those zone numbers could change prior to the sale.

Note: Available to nonresidents as first tags and all hunters as second tags. First-come, first-served. Limits apply.

* Not available as a second tag.

Note: Available to nonresidents as first tags and all hunters as second tags. First-come, first-served. Limits apply.

* Not available as a second tag.

Note: Available to nonresidents as first tags and all hunters as second tags. First-come, first-served. Limits apply.

*Not available as a second tag.

Access that link here.

Idaho nonresident deer tags are on a unit basis, and elk are zones of units.

At 10 a.m. Mountain Time is when you can purchase a returned nonresident elk or deer tag for the 2024 season

• You can access the waiting room here.

For example, if you log in 30 minutes early, it doesn't mean you will get a better random number than someone who logs in at 9:45 a.m.

If you log in after 10 a.m., you'll be placed at the end of the line.

You’ll now be able to see your number in line, the number of users in line ahead of you, and your estimated wait time.

Then click on "Buy a License, Permits, or Tags" which is in the upper-left portion of the main Idaho license purchase home page.

If you don't currently have a hunting license, you will be prompted to add one to your cart.