Idaho's controlled hunts are a pure random drawing with no preference or bonus points: every application has the same chance, and nonresidents can take at most 10% of each hunt's tags (one tag in hunts of 19 or fewer), so nonresident odds in popular hunts are often 1-3%. To apply you need an Idaho hunting license ($185 nonresident) and pay an $18 nonrefundable fee per species (two hunt choices); the deer, elk and pronghorn tag itself ($651.75 elk / $351.75 deer / $342.75 pronghorn) is bought only if you draw. Deer, elk and pronghorn applications run May 1 - June 5 with results in mid-to-late June and an Aug 1 deadline to buy the tag; unclaimed tags go to a second drawing Aug 5-15, then leftovers sell first-come Aug 25. Moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat are a separate April 1-30 draw (one species only) where the full $2,626.75 tag fee is paid with the application and refunded if you are not drawn.
Every figure below cites the agency document it came from. Last verified August 31, 2026.
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 315.01, 320.04, 330; Big Game 2026 brochure pp.108-110 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 320, 330 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 315.01, 320, 330.05 and 330.08; Idaho Code 36-408(2); Big Game 2026 brochure pp.108-110 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 320, 330; Big Game 2026 brochure pp.108-111 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
Moose, Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat 2025-2026 brochure pp.39-41; IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 315, 320.03, 320.11, 330.05.b · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
MSG 2025-2026 brochure pp.39-41; IDAPA 13.01.04 section 320.03 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 315.01, 320.04, 330; Big Game 2026 brochure pp.108-110 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 320, 330 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
MSG 2025-2026 brochure pp.39-41; IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 315, 320.01, 320.11 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
MSG 2025-2026 brochure pp.39-41; IDAPA 13.01.04 section 320.01 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
MSG 2025-2026 brochure pp.39-41; IDAPA 13.01.04 sections 315, 320.02, 320.11 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Worked example. Every applicant has the same chance: tags ÷ applicants. Points don't exist or don't matter here.
MSG 2025-2026 brochure pp.39-41; IDAPA 13.01.04 section 320.02 · verified Aug 31, 2026
Showing nonresident fees. Switch to resident
| Fee | Amount | Paid at application | Refundable | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresident controlled hunt application fee (per person, per species) - nonrefundable (White-tailed / Mule Deer) | $18 | Yes | No | 'Controlled Hunt Application Fee (deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, turkey)'; brochure p.108, p.122 |
| Nonresident controlled hunt application fee (per person, per species) - nonrefundable (Pronghorn) | $18 | Yes | No | 'Controlled Hunt Application Fee (deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, turkey)'; brochure p.108, p.122 |
| Nonresident controlled hunt application fee (per person, per species) - nonrefundable (Elk) | $18 | Yes | No | 'Controlled Hunt Application Fee (deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, turkey)'; brochure p.108, p.122 |
| Nonresident moose/sheep/goat controlled hunt application fee - nonrefundable, paid with the tag fee (Mountain Goat) | $45.75 | Yes | No | 'Controlled Hunt Application Fee (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat)'; MSG brochure p.40-41 |
| Nonresident moose/sheep/goat controlled hunt application fee - nonrefundable, paid with the tag fee (Moose) | $45.75 | Yes | No | 'Controlled Hunt Application Fee (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat)'; MSG brochure p.40-41 |
| Nonresident moose/sheep/goat controlled hunt application fee - nonrefundable, paid with the tag fee (Bighorn Sheep) | $45.75 | Yes | No | 'Controlled Hunt Application Fee (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat)'; MSG brochure p.40-41 |
| Nonresident archery permit (needed to hunt an archery-only controlled hunt; bowhunter education proof required) | $81.75 | If drawn | No | Nonresident Permits 'Archery'; brochure p.122 |
| Nonresident hunting license (adult; includes 3-day fishing) - required to apply for any controlled hunt | $185 | Yes | No | Nonresident Licenses: 'Hunting - Adult'; Big Game 2026 brochure p.122; IDAPA 13.01.04.320 |
| Nonresident muzzleloader permit (needed to hunt a muzzleloader-only controlled hunt) | $81.75 | If drawn | No | Nonresident Permits 'Muzzleloader'; brochure p.122 |
| Access / Depredation fee (charged with the first annual license of the year) | $10 | Yes | No | Nonresident Fees: 'Access / Depredation Fee for Adult'; brochure p.122 |
| Nonresident bighorn sheep tag - entire amount submitted with the application, refunded if not drawn (Bighorn Sheep) | $2,626.75 | Yes | Yes | Nonresident Tags 'Bighorn Sheep'; MSG brochure p.39-41 |
| Nonresident deer tag (regular or white-tailed; general or controlled) - bought only if drawn, by Aug 1 (White-tailed / Mule Deer) | $351.75 | If drawn | Yes | Nonresident Tags 'Deer - Adult'; brochure p.122; refund sliding scale p.117 |
| Nonresident elk tag (general or controlled) - bought only if drawn, by Aug 1 (Elk) | $651.75 | If drawn | Yes | Nonresident Tags 'Elk - Adult'; brochure p.122; refund sliding scale p.117 (75% before May 1, 50% May-June, 25% July, none from Aug 1; $50 processing fee) |
| Nonresident moose tag - entire amount submitted with the application, refunded if not drawn (Moose) | $2,626.75 | Yes | Yes | Nonresident Tags 'Moose'; MSG brochure p.39-41 ($2,672.50 incl. $45.75 fee) |
| Nonresident mountain goat tag - entire amount submitted with the application, refunded if not drawn (Mountain Goat) | $2,626.75 | Yes | Yes | Nonresident Tags 'Mountain Goat'; MSG brochure p.39-41 |
| Nonresident pronghorn tag - 'Tag fee applies ONLY if drawn' (Pronghorn) | $342.75 | If drawn | No | Nonresident Tags 'Pronghorn'; brochure p.122 (the p.117 sliding-scale refund names only deer and elk tags) |
Drew a tag? Check which cartridges are legal for your species and weapon on the Idaho hunting laws page.
Every percentage on this page is a prior-draw probability: the chance an applicant with that many points would have drawn in the draw year shown, computed from the agency's published results. It is not a forecast — quotas, applicant numbers, and point creep change every year. Every figure links to the agency document it came from. Where a state does not publish a number, we show a dash, never a zero. Hunts with fewer than five tags show counts instead of percentages. Fees show the fee year used. Read the methodology for the engine details.
This page is informational only. Draw rules, quotas, fees, and deadlines are set by the state agency and change by commission action — confirm everything on the agency's own site before you apply, and apply through the agency, not here. We disclaim all liability for reliance on this page.
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