Idaho mule deer hunting

License year: 2026 and 2027. Each fact shows its own license year, source and the date we checked it. Always confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you apply.

Over the counter or draw

Resident: Resident general deer tags go on sale in early July; residents choose a regular deer tag or a white-tailed deer tag Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7, 10. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: No. Starting in 2026, nonresident general deer tags are issued by draw Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 119. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Note: The Regular Deer tag is valid for mule deer or white-tailed deer unless a hunt says otherwise Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 10. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Note: No second deer tags in Units 10, 10A, 12, 16A, 17, 19 and 20 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 10. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Seasons

Regular Deer tag seasons by unit

Starts: Varies by unit; see tables Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 11-15. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Varies by unit; see tables Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 11-15. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 seasons

Starts: Idaho Department of Fish and Game hasn't published this yet. Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Idaho Department of Fish and Game hasn't published this yet. Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

License and tag prices

Resident: $24.75 $19.75 with Price Lock Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 120-121. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: $351.75 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 122. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: Resident youth/senior/DAV deer tag $12.50 ($10.75 with Price Lock) Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 120-121. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: Nonresident Junior Mentored deer tag $176.75 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 122. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: Nonresident DAV deer tag $23.75 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 122. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

How to apply and limits

How to apply: Nonresidents apply in the 2027 NR general deer/elk draw Dec. 5-15, 2026 Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation, p. 4. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Chronic wasting disease: Mandatory CWD testing in Units 14, 18, 23, 63A, 64, 69 and part of Unit 1 within 10 days of harvest Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 6. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Deadlines

2027 controlled hunt application periods

Opens: Idaho Department of Fish and Game hasn't published this yet. Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Idaho Department of Fish and Game hasn't published this yet. Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: Idaho Department of Fish and Game hasn't published this yet. Source: IDFG 2027 Nonresident General Deer and Elk Tag Draw supplemental proclamation. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 controlled hunts, 1st application period (deer, elk, pronghorn, etc.)

Opens: May 1, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: June 5, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: Early July 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 controlled hunt tag purchase deadline

Deadline: Aug. 1, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 controlled hunts, 2nd application period

Opens: Aug. 5, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Aug. 15, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Results: Aug. 25, 2026 Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 leftover controlled hunt tags on sale

Opens: Aug. 25, 2026, 10 a.m. MT Source: IDFG Big Game 2026 Seasons and Rules (July 2026 - June 2027), p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Idaho elk and mule deer draw odds by unit: past results from each state agency, with the source for every number.