Update: As of June 26, 2020 all of the Idaho nonresident over the counter deer tags are sold out. Whitetail only tags and outfitter tags are still available.

Update: As of June 17, 2020 all of the Idaho nonresident over the counter elk tags are sold out. The following tables have been updated to reflect these changes.

In a recent news article from the Idaho Fish and Game, the agency has warned that nonresident general deer and elk tags for 2020 are selling much faster than in years prior and are expected to sell out entirely soon. As of now, the projected sell out dates are July 1 for elk and August 1 for deer. These dates are based on current sales trends but the actual sell out date could be sooner if sales increase.

2020 quotas for nonresident general season tags are:

• 12,815 nonresident elk tags
• 14,000 nonresident regular and whitetail deer tags
• 1,500 nonresident whitetail deer tags (additional tags available when the regular/whitetail tags sell out)

These over-the-counter tags are reserved for nonresidents through July 31, 2020. After that date, any unsold tags beginning on August 1 are then available as second tags to everyone (residents and nonresidents).

Purchase your 2020 tag here

If you need help researching your options, be sure to jump over to Filtering 2.0 to learn more.

2020 nonresident deer and elk tag quotas

*Reserved whitetail deer tags become available after the main quota of 14,000 has sold out.
**See Outfitter Set-aside table below. Per Idaho Code 36-408 (3), and set by the commission each July.

Outfitter set-aside

All of the unsold outfitter tags by August 1 will be added to the nonresident elk zone quota and will then become available for purchase as a second tag.

Now that most of the major draws have happened across the west many hunters will be looking into OTC states as back-up plans. Anyone interested in hunting Idaho should consider purchasing their licenses and applicable tags as soon as possible. 

As a reminder, if successful in the controlled hunt drawing, you can exchange your general OTC tag for the required controlled hunt tag. Purchasing a general tag at this time will not hinder or cost anything additional.