Idaho nonresident tags draw system approved for 2026

Boise – May 28th, 2025

In response to escalating demand and persistent technical challenges, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved a lottery system for allocating 2026 nonresident deer and elk tags. This marks a significant shift from the previous first-come, first-served sales model.

The new Idaho Nonresident Draw System

Under the new system, nonresident hunters will apply for tags in early December 2025, with results announced by early January 2026. A second drawing will be held in January for any unallocated or un-purchased tags from the first draw.

Applicants are required to purchase a hunting license to apply in the new draw system, but there is no additional draw fee. Applicants may apply in groups of up to four. Tags that are awarded but not purchased will go into the second draw pool.

Challenges with the former system

The former direct-sale approach functioned adequately when demand was lower, allowing tags to remain available for extended periods. However, as interest surged, tags began selling out more rapidly—progressing from months to weeks, then days, and eventually within hours. This intense competition led to significant strain on the online sales platform.

To manage the influx, a digital queue system was introduced. Despite this, users encountered slow servers, glitches that removed them from the queue, and loopholes that allowed multiple entries, undermining the system’s fairness.

Compounding the issue, in-person purchases at Idaho Fish and Game offices and authorized vendors allowed some hunters—particularly those from neighboring states—to bypass the online queue entirely. This created disparities, disadvantaging those relying solely on the digital system.

The implementation of nonresident unit quotas further complicated group hunting efforts. Coordinating the acquisition of tags for the same unit became increasingly difficult, effectively hindering group hunts.

While the new Idaho nonresident draw system aims to address these challenges, it remains unclear whether returned tags will continue to be sold through the previous queue system or integrated into the new framework.

Exact dates for the 2026 tag draws are not yet published, but you can track the new draw deadlines in the OnPoint Hunts app.