Idaho Elk Hunting Units & Draw Odds
125 units · 32.9% avg hunter success
Idaho's elk draw is straightforward: it's random, meaning points don't factor into your odds. Nonresidents get a dedicated allocation of tags across numerous units statewide. Applications open May and close in early June, with results coming in July. Your nonresident tag fee runs higher than resident cost, but the application fee is minimal. We've pulled draw data from multiple units across different years to show you where zero-point hunters actually drew tags and what harvest success looked like. Use this to identify which units might fit your season, preference, and comfort level—then decide where to spend your applications.
How the Idaho Draw Works
Draw system
Pure random draw — every applicant has equal odds, no points.
Nonresident allocation: 10% of tags
2026 application window
May 1 – Jun 5(nonresident)
Results: Jul 1
2026 fees (nonresident, regular)
$18 app · $185 license · $651.75 tag
Easiest Elk Draws for Nonresidents (2024 Results)
Point levels that drew with certainty, and the best documented zero-point hunts — actual draw results, per hunt.
100% at zero points · Hunt 2053
100% at zero points · Hunt 2054
100% at zero points · Hunt 2051
100% at zero points · Hunt 2122, 2nd Draw
100% at zero points · Hunt 2061
100% at zero points · Hunt 2067
100% at zero points · Hunt 2076
100% at zero points · Hunt 2078
100% at zero points · Hunt 2080
100% at zero points · Hunt 2126
100% at zero points · Hunt 2075
100% at zero points · Hunt 2078
| Unit | Drew with certainty at | Best zero-point hunt | Success | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 11A | — | 100%Hunt 2053 | 34% | 87% |
| Unit 13 | — | 100%Hunt 2054 | 71% | 33% |
| Unit 2 | — | 100%('22)Hunt 2051 | 7% | 19% |
| Unit 22 | — | 100%Hunt 2122, 2nd Draw | 20% | 77% |
| Unit 23 | — | 100%Hunt 2061 | 35% | 76% |
| Unit 24 | — | 100%Hunt 2067 | 12% | 57% |
| Unit 30A | — | 100%('22)Hunt 2076 | 48% | 97% |
| Unit 31 | — | 100%('22)Hunt 2078 | 20% | 52% |
| Unit 36 | — | 100%('22)Hunt 2080 | 32% | 100% |
| Unit 36A | — | 100%Hunt 2126 | 37% | 99% |
| Unit 36B | — | 100%Hunt 2075 | 22% | 95% |
| Unit 37A | — | 100%Hunt 2078 | 55% | 96% |
All Idaho Elk Units
Idaho Elk Draw FAQ
Do I need elk points to draw a tag in Idaho?
No. Idaho's elk draw is random, so points aren't required or used. Every application has an equal chance regardless of how many times you've applied before. That means a first-time applicant can draw the same year as someone who's been in the pool for years.
When do nonresident elk applications open and close?
Applications open May first and close June fifth. Results are announced July first. The nonresident tag fee is $651.75, and the application fee is $18.
What are my odds of drawing as a nonresident in Idaho?
Nonresidents receive a dedicated allocation of tags, but odds vary significantly by unit and hunt. We've documented specific units where zero-point hunters drew tags in recent years, and harvest success ranged from single digits to over seventy percent—so your actual odds depend on which unit you apply for.
How many elk units can I apply for?
Idaho has 125 units with available hunt data. The draw itself is random, so you can strategize your applications across multiple units based on tag availability, terrain, and harvest success rates rather than competing for points.
Plan your Idaho Elk hunt — free account, no card. Run the draw simulator at your point level and compare every unit in the state.
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