December of 2020 marked big changes for non-resident hunters with intentions of pursuing big game in “the Gem State”. Prior to the changes, non-resident hunters were able to purchase elk and deer tags from a pool of tags for uncapped units. Non-resident disabled veterans (DAV) had access to Idaho Fish & Game’s (IDFG) aggressive DAV program which allowed ALL non-resident DAV applicants to hunt at reduced fees. A year later, the reality of the changes has set in and the news and updates have become a controversial hot topic across multiple social media platforms and outdoor forums.

Contrary to uninformed opinion, IDFG did not reduce the number of tags. All uncapped zones were changed and the entire state is now capped. Each unit has been allocated the appropriate number of tags based upon zone historics of resident and non-resident hunters and species population and health.

The reasons for the changes and the process of obtaining tags is clearly detailed on IDFG’s website.

www.idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2021/11/nonresident-licenses-and-tags-2022

With the redistributed tags amongst the zones, comes IDFG’s abstract method of application. Rather than submitting via online application or mail in process and waiting months for the results to post, IDFG opens their phone lines and online servers for outdoorsmen around the world to gamble on a random spot in a virtual waiting room or placed on 1-800-LONG-HOLD. The process results in an emotional roller coaster ride as each individual receives a random number and watches as users ahead of them drop off the list and the site updates with “sold out” banners posting on the bottom of the web page. This year, participant numbers exceeded well over 16 thousand and the tags were nearly sold out in less than 4 hours.

If you’re a disabled veteran with hopes of obtaining reduced-fee tags through Idaho’s aggressive DAV program, your chances for 2022 are no longer available. DAV tags were reduced to 300 elk tags and 500 deer tags; all of which sold out in 3 hours. This was the biggest change which took place in December of 2020.

The implemented changes are intended to limit the number of hunters and reduce hunting pressure across zones which historically were over pressured. I personally see the new direction as a benefit for all parties involved, including the game animals. Was I impacted by all the changes? Yes. As a participant in IDFG’s non-resident DAV program, I am now competing for 300 elk tags at a reduced rate, along with the hope of obtaining a tag for a zone which was capped prior to the 2020 change. I may not share the popular opinion, but it is based on the overall future success of each individual tag holder and the health of the hunting program. I am curious to see if IDFG continues with the same purchase process next year, or if they shift to a more traditional draw system we are all accustomed to.

Be LIMBITLESS. Get OUTDOORS.