Idaho Opens Second Nonresident Deer and Elk Tag Drawing Feb. 5–15

February 8, 2026
12:35 am

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Idaho's Fish and Game Commission just dropped a game-changer for out-of-state hunters: a second drawing for nonresident deer and elk tags opens February 5–15, giving folks another shot at prime hunting opportunities after the initial rounds filled up fast. This isn't your standard bureaucratic afterthought—it's a direct response to overwhelming demand, with last year's nonresident applications surging amid skyrocketing interest in self-reliant pursuits. Deanna from the Idaho Fish and Game team highlights how these extra tags target leftover permits in key units, potentially unlocking access to trophy elk country and mature buck zones that nonresidents often miss out on. Picture this: controlled hunts in the Palouse or Owyhee regions, where bolt-action rifles chambered in .30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag reign supreme, and your AR-10 in .308 could double as a varmint suppressor during downtime. For the 2A community, this move underscores a deeper synergy between hunting heritage and Second Amendment rights—states like Idaho are doubling down on traditions that keep firearms central to American independence. Nonresident tags aren't just about bagging game; they're a bulwark against urban anti-hunting narratives, fostering a new generation of proficient shooters who train in real-world marksmanship under field conditions. With ammo shortages easing and optics tech advancing (think Vortex Razor HDs for those long prairie shots), this drawing incentivizes investment in quality gear, from suppressors for ethical harvests to backcountry carry rigs that mirror tactical preparedness. Implications? It bolsters rural economies tied to gun shops and outfitters, while reminding D.C. elites that armed citizens sustain conservation funding via Pittman-Robertson dollars—over $1.1 billion nationwide last year alone. Don't sleep on this—mark your calendars, gather your prefs points, and apply online at the IDFG portal before the window slams shut on the 15th. It's a win for hunters, a nod to self-sufficiency, and a subtle flex of 2A culture thriving where regulations empower rather than restrict. Who knows, your next tag could fund the next NRA-ILA fight or just fill your freezer with wild protein. Get after it, patriots.

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Idaho’s Fish and Game Commission just dropped a game-changer for out-of-state hunters: a second drawing for nonresident deer and elk tags opens February 5–15, giving folks another shot at prime hunting opportunities after the initial rounds filled up fast. This isn’t your standard bureaucratic afterthought—it’s a direct response to overwhelming demand, with last year’s nonresident applications surging amid skyrocketing interest in self-reliant pursuits. Deanna from the Idaho Fish and Game team highlights how these extra tags target leftover permits in key units, potentially unlocking access to trophy elk country and mature buck zones that nonresidents often miss out on. Picture this: controlled hunts in the Palouse or Owyhee regions, where bolt-action rifles chambered in .30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag reign supreme, and your AR-10 in .308 could double as a varmint suppressor during downtime.

For the 2A community, this move underscores a deeper synergy between hunting heritage and Second Amendment rights—states like Idaho are doubling down on traditions that keep firearms central to American independence. Nonresident tags aren’t just about bagging game; they’re a bulwark against urban anti-hunting narratives, fostering a new generation of proficient shooters who train in real-world marksmanship under field conditions. With ammo shortages easing and optics tech advancing (think Vortex Razor HDs for those long prairie shots), this drawing incentivizes investment in quality gear, from suppressors for ethical harvests to backcountry carry rigs that mirror tactical preparedness. Implications? It bolsters rural economies tied to gun shops and outfitters, while reminding D.C. elites that armed citizens sustain conservation funding via Pittman-Robertson dollars—over $1.1 billion nationwide last year alone.

Don’t sleep on this—mark your calendars, gather your prefs points, and apply online at the IDFG portal before the window slams shut on the 15th. It’s a win for hunters, a nod to self-sufficiency, and a subtle flex of 2A culture thriving where regulations empower rather than restrict. Who knows, your next tag could fund the next NRA-ILA fight or just fill your freezer with wild protein. Get after it, patriots.

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