So I got skunked this year on all my draws, the result was a lot in time spent doing my research. What I came up with was Idaho. Bear with me but after reading all of the regulations it seems that Idaho is very hunter friendly. So no point system, first come first serve over the counter tags just like that. If I read and understood the regs correctly they have areas that allow motorized travel on some roads to facilitate covering ground (I think thats right) Any Idaho residents please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm planning on jumping on tags Dec 1st.
Idaho OTC tags, is it really that simple?
- Thread starter Bcwn
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Ughh I know I read that this after noon, I've been looking for a reason to drag my camper across the US. You best believe I'll be waiting for Dec 1st when you can purchase tags
Idaho Trecker
Well-Known Member
No. It's not that easy. Everyone stay away lol
hunter67wa
Well-Known Member
No whitetail tags left?
Country Bumpkin
Well-Known Member
This is a common misconception, we won't hold it against you. I can tell you from my first hand experience that it's nearly impossible to get tags here. You need to be related to a rancher and someone in your direct lineage will have had to either been a congressman, senator or governor. Even if you get a tag, there's no animals here anymore, the wolves killed them all about 10 years ago.
Fret not, Here's what you can do. I run into a lot of nonresident hunters that tell me the grass is much greener on their side of the border. I'm talking 340 satellite bulls and 180 bucks that "needing another year". They only hunt Idaho because of their familial traditions. The hunting is MUCH Better in the following states.
WA
OR
CA
Those states have F&G departments that really care about hunters and opportunity. So much so that their hunters feel the need to leave their own state to come to Idaho to tell us how awesome it is over there. They don't even shoot animals in Idaho or race you to the trailhead to beat you to "their spot".....
Fret not, Here's what you can do. I run into a lot of nonresident hunters that tell me the grass is much greener on their side of the border. I'm talking 340 satellite bulls and 180 bucks that "needing another year". They only hunt Idaho because of their familial traditions. The hunting is MUCH Better in the following states.
WA
OR
CA
Those states have F&G departments that really care about hunters and opportunity. So much so that their hunters feel the need to leave their own state to come to Idaho to tell us how awesome it is over there. They don't even shoot animals in Idaho or race you to the trailhead to beat you to "their spot".....
hunting in idaho has really gone down hill. wolves have devestated the best elk hunting in the state. use to hunt for 26 years in high country of lolo motorway, best hunting in state and most elk in state. now its most wolves in state and you would be lucky to see a elk now. greater chance to see grizzly bears as now they have introduced many since 1998 across this area. pretty sad when a handful of people ruin it for all.
Some OTC tags have a limited number available but in general if you're after whitetail it is as easy as going to the register and buying your tags. There is a point system in place for controlled hunts that have a draw.
I'd hunt southern Idaho though. Up north us brush okies shoot anything that moves.
I'd hunt southern Idaho though. Up north us brush okies shoot anything that moves.
Country Bumpkin
Well-Known Member
Some OTC tags have a limited number available but in general if you're after whitetail it is as easy as going to the register and buying your tags. There is a point system in place for controlled hunts that have a draw.
I'd hunt southern Idaho though. Up north us brush okies shoot anything that moves.
Points system.... in Idaho?
No points. OTC non-res tags available but limited. Prices are set to go up next year. Decent hunting in a few areas. Super bad in other areas. I would like to require that all non-residents have to fill a wolf tag or bear tag before filling their elk tag, but that's just wishful thinking .
Speaking as one who currently lives and hunts in Oregon, formerly lived in California and still hunts there, and is originally from Idaho and still hunts there, this made me chuckle.
Country Bumpkin
Well-Known Member
Couldn't help myself.
Where we hunt every year, we see more WA, OR and CA plates than we do ID. I can't blame them, those three states do everything they can to drive hunters to other states. It just sucks to be the closest safe-hunting state to them. I'd do the same thing if I lived in those states (although I Hope I'd be just a tad more neighborly when hunting out of state). Part of the "problem" is that those displaced hunters tend to be on the more serious side of the fence (meaning they are willing to compete with me for the best backcountry spots that road hunters wouldn't consider). Again, props to them, it's just always frustrating to have more competition than the year prior.
WeiserBucks
Well-Known Member
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- Aug 16, 2016
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Haven't you heard? Wolves ate most of the game in Idaho. The game that escaped the wolves were ran over by all the Uhauls migrating from California.
