No over-the-counter, nonresident deer, elk tags available this year

No over-the-counter nonresident deer, elk tags available this year Controlled hunt tags must be purchased this week or forfeited

Idaho hunters who planned to buy a second elk or deer tag when non-resident tags go on sale this week to the general public, won’t have the opportunity this year.

That is because over-the-counter, nonresident deer and elk tags have been sold out and there are no nonresident tags currently available to be sold as second tags for the 2020 hunting season, which customarily became available on Aug. 1, Fish and Game said.

In recent years when nonresident over-the-counter deer and elk tags did not sell out, Idaho Fish and Game allowed resident and nonresident hunters to buy unsold nonresident tags Aug. 1.

If any tags are returned, they will be sold on a first-come basis, according to Fish and Game.

Hunters selected in the 2020 controlled hunt drawing must purchase their controlled hunt tag by Aug. 1, or lose it.

All unclaimed tags, along with controlled hunt tags no one applied for, will be available in a second drawing, with the application period running from Aug. 5 through Aug. 15 with successful applicants notified by the end of the month.

After the second drawing, any leftover tags will be sold first-come, first-served beginning Aug. 26.

— Staff reports