Idaho's resident capped elk zone tag purchase date is coming up! Be sure to check out the below information if you're looking to pick up one of these licenses on the two different tag sale dates. 

Purchase tags here once the sale dates open

Important information:

• These are for residents only
• These will sellout fast
• July 12 at 10 a.m. MDT
  • Resident capped elk zone tags (excluding Sawtooth Zone) go on sale
• July 14 at 10 a.m. MDT
  • Resident Sawtooth Zone A and B elk tags go on sale
  • Note: half the tags are available from Fish and Game offices and license vendors only starting at 10 a.m. (MDT)
    • The remaining half of the resident Sawtooth tags will go on sale online only at 1 p.m. MDT

Virtual waiting room on the purchase dates

Due to the high demand for these tags, if you're looking to pick up a tag, you'll be placed in a "virtual waiting room" once you log in. So be sure to familiarize yourself with Idaho's website before you try to pick up a tag to make sure you can log in successfully. 

Log in early!

Log in roughly 15 minutes ahead of the tag sale time. According to Idaho Fish and Game, "there is no benefit to logging in further in advance. Everyone who is in the virtual waiting room will be assigned a random number shortly before the sale starts, which will determine the order in which they are admitted to the licensing system to buy their tags. The waiting room also eliminates the potential disadvantage of having a slower internet connection. For the July 12 sale, all users will be directed to the same waiting room, regardless of what tag they intend to buy."

Also, when your number comes up in the waiting line and you are admitted to the licensing system, add your tag to your cart and complete your transaction as quickly as possible.

Note: it is highly advantageous to buy your hunting license or other required licenses ahead of time (if you're planning on hunting in Idaho even if you don't get one of these tags). You do need a hunting license to pick up a capped zone elk tag. Buying the hunting license ahead of time makes for a more streamlined process and can help when checking out to make sure the tag you want is still available. If you only plan to hunt in a specific capped zone, buy your license and/or archery permit at the same time as the tag. Note: Resident products are not eligible for refunds, so if you are set on a particular hunt, it might be best to purchase these at the same time as your tag in case tags sell out.

Waiting period

It is important to note that resident hunters are reminded that those who applied for a controlled elk hunt, regardless of whether they drew or not, must wait five days after tags become available to purchase a capped elk zone tag. The waiting period went into effect in 2020. The exception to this is for people who applied for extra antlerless controlled hunt tags for which there is no wait period.