Can You Apply for Other Idaho Hunts If You Enter or Win a Super Hunt?

Yes. Entering Idaho's Super Hunt does not prevent you from applying for Idaho's regular controlled hunts, and winning a Super Hunt tag does not automatically cancel your other hunting opportunities.

In fact, Idaho Fish and Game specifically describes Super Hunt tags as additional tags. A Super Hunt winner can still use general-season or controlled-hunt tags they otherwise legally hold.

That's one of the biggest advantages of Idaho's Super Hunt program.

How the Idaho Super Hunt Works

Idaho's Super Hunt is a separate drawing that provides opportunities for four big-game species:

• Deer
• Elk
• Pronghorn
• Moose

Hunters purchase entries rather than applying for one specific hunt.

If you win, you can participate in any open general or controlled hunt in Idaho for the species drawn. However, you must still follow the dates, weapon restrictions, boundaries, and other rules of the individual hunt you choose.

Super Hunt is separate from Idaho's normal controlled-hunt drawing.

Can You Apply for Controlled Hunts and Super Hunt in the Same Year?

Yes.

You can enter Super Hunt and still apply for regular Idaho controlled hunts, assuming you otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for those controlled hunts.

Entering Super Hunt doesn't use up your regular controlled-hunt application.

Even more importantly, Idaho's rules state that a Super Hunt applicant—including someone who actually harvests an animal using a Super Hunt tag—remains eligible to apply for a controlled hunt for that same species in the same year or future years.

So Super Hunt doesn't replace your normal Idaho application strategy.

It adds another opportunity to it.

What Happens If You Win Super Hunt and a Controlled Hunt?

You can potentially hold both.

Idaho Fish and Game states that Super Hunt tags are considered extra tags and are in addition to general-season or controlled-hunt tags a hunter may already hold.

For example, if you:

1. Draw an Idaho controlled elk hunt, and
2. Also win an elk Super Hunt tag,

the Super Hunt tag doesn't automatically cancel the controlled-hunt tag.

You may legally possess additional opportunities when Idaho regulations allow them.

You still need to follow the regulations associated with each tag and hunt.

Can You Harvest More Than One Animal of the Same Species?

Potentially, yes, when you legally possess the appropriate additional tags.

Idaho's regulations specifically recognize an additional deer, elk, or pronghorn harvested by a person holding a Super Hunt or Super Hunt Combo tag for that species.

That is another reason it's incorrect to describe Super Hunt as simply replacing your normal tag.

It's an additional opportunity.

Does Super Hunt Restrict You From Applying for the Same Species?

No.

The original idea that winning Super Hunt prevents you from applying for an overlapping controlled hunt of the same species is incorrect.

Idaho's Super Hunt rules explicitly provide that a Super Hunt applicant—including a successful hunter—can apply for a controlled hunt for the same species during the same year or subsequent years.

There isn't a special "season overlap" restriction created simply because you hold a Super Hunt tag.

Normal regulations for the individual hunts still apply.

Idaho Does Not Use Preference Points

This is another important distinction.

Idaho's controlled-hunt system isn't a preference-point system.

You don't accumulate Idaho deer, elk, pronghorn, or moose preference points every year you fail to draw.

Idaho describes controlled hunts as having a limited number of tags allocated through a random drawing.

So there are no Idaho preference points for Super Hunt to:

• Use
• Preserve
• Reset
• Protect
• Bypass

Don't build an Idaho strategy around "point creep" or accumulating Idaho points.

Super Hunt vs. Regular Controlled Hunts

The two systems serve different purposes.

Regular Controlled Hunt

You apply for a specific controlled hunt.

If successful, the resulting tag is tied to that particular hunting opportunity and its applicable dates, boundaries, weapon restrictions, and regulations.

Super Hunt

You purchase entries into a separate random drawing.

If successful, your Super Hunt tag allows you to participate in any open general or controlled hunt for the species drawn, while following the rules of the individual hunt.

The Super Hunt opportunity is also additional to other tags you're legally allowed to possess.

Can You Enter Super Hunt After Applying for Moose?

Yes.

This is especially important because Idaho has special restrictions surrounding applications for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat.

Those restrictions don't prevent a hunter from entering Super Hunt.

For example, Idaho Fish and Game specifically reminded 2026 moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat controlled-hunt applicants that they could still enter Super Hunt for deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose.

That makes Super Hunt a useful additional opportunity for hunters applying for Idaho's once-in-a-lifetime species.

Can You Enter Super Hunt Without a Hunting License?

Yes.

Idaho doesn't require residents or nonresidents to purchase a hunting license simply to enter the Super Hunt drawing.

That's different from regular controlled-hunt applications, where applicants generally need a valid Idaho hunting license.

How Much Does Super Hunt Cost?

Current individual Super Hunt entries cost:

$6 per entry

for:

• Deer
• Elk
• Pronghorn
• Moose

The four-species Super Hunt Combo costs:

$20 per entry

There is no limit on the number of entries an individual can purchase.

What Is the Super Hunt Combo?

The Super Hunt Combo is a separate drawing.

The winner receives opportunities for all four Super Hunt species:

Deer + elk + pronghorn + moose.

Idaho awards one Combo winner in the first drawing and another in the second drawing.

For 2026, the first Combo drawing received 13,509 entries, while the second received 6,270.

When Are the Idaho Super Hunt Deadlines?

Idaho conducts two Super Hunt drawings each year.

First Drawing

Deadline: May 31

Second Drawing

Deadline: August 10

Idaho's current controlled-hunt application calendar lists both deadlines separately.

That gives hunters two separate opportunities to enter during the year.

Strategic Tips for Applying

The best way to use Super Hunt is as an additional layer in your Idaho application strategy.

Continue researching the regular controlled hunts that fit your goals.

Then decide whether adding Super Hunt entries makes sense for your budget.

Super Hunt can be particularly interesting when you want:

• Another chance at highly desirable hunts
• Flexibility across Idaho
• An opportunity separate from the regular controlled-hunt drawing
• A chance at deer, elk, pronghorn, or moose without needing a license simply to enter

But remember that Super Hunt remains a long-shot drawing.

Don't Skip a Controlled Hunt Because You Entered Super Hunt

This is probably the most important strategic takeaway.

Entering Super Hunt isn't a reason to skip a regular controlled-hunt application that you want.

The two systems can work together.

Your strategy might be:

Regular controlled hunt: Apply for the specific Idaho hunt you actually want.

Super Hunt: Buy entries for another independent chance at a much more flexible opportunity.

If you don't win Super Hunt, your regular application strategy continues normally.

If you do win, you've added an exceptional opportunity.

What Happens If You Win?

A Super Hunt winner can participate in any open general or controlled hunt for the species drawn.

That means the next step is researching which hunt you actually want to pursue.

Compare:

• Hunt dates
• Hunt areas
• Weapon restrictions
• Access
• Terrain
• Public and private land
• Current conditions
• Animal distribution

Super Hunt gives you choices.

It doesn't remove the regulations governing those choices.

FAQ — Idaho Super Hunt and Other Applications

Can I apply for controlled hunts and enter Super Hunt in the same year?

Yes. Super Hunt is separate from Idaho's normal controlled-hunt drawing.

Does winning Super Hunt prevent me from applying for another controlled hunt?

No. Idaho's Super Hunt rules specifically allow applicants, including hunters who harvest on a Super Hunt tag, to apply for controlled hunts for the same species during the same or subsequent years.

Can I hold a Super Hunt tag and a controlled-hunt tag?

Yes, when otherwise legally eligible. Idaho describes Super Hunt tags as additional tags that don't replace general or controlled-hunt tags you already hold.

Can I hunt controlled hunts with a Super Hunt tag?

Yes. A Super Hunt winner can participate in any open general or controlled hunt for the species drawn. All other rules of the individual hunt apply.

Does Super Hunt affect my Idaho preference points?

No—and Idaho doesn't use a traditional preference-point system for its controlled hunts.

Can I enter Super Hunt if I applied for an Idaho moose controlled hunt?

Yes. Idaho specifically allows those applicants to participate in Super Hunt.

Do I need a hunting license to enter Super Hunt?

No. Residents and nonresidents can purchase Super Hunt entries without first buying an Idaho hunting license.

How many Super Hunt entries can I buy?

There is no limit on the number of entries an individual can purchase.

How much are Super Hunt entries?

Individual deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose entries are $6 each. Super Hunt Combo entries are $20 each.

When are the Idaho Super Hunt deadlines?

The first drawing deadline is May 31 and the second is August 10.

Can I harvest another elk or deer if I also have a Super Hunt tag?

Idaho regulations allow additional deer, elk, or pronghorn harvest when the hunter legally possesses a Super Hunt or Super Hunt Combo tag for that species. Always verify the current year's tag and harvest regulations before hunting.

Is it worth entering both Super Hunt and regular controlled hunts?

For hunters who want more Idaho opportunities and are comfortable with Super Hunt's long odds, entering both can make sense because Super Hunt doesn't replace the regular controlled-hunt application process.

Continue Planning Your Hunt

The Idaho Super Hunt isn't an either-or decision.

You can enter Super Hunt and continue pursuing Idaho's regular controlled hunts.

And if you win Super Hunt, Idaho treats that opportunity as an additional tag rather than automatically taking away the other legal tags you hold.

That's what makes Super Hunt particularly interesting as part of a broader Idaho strategy.

Use TAGZ to research Idaho draw odds, units, seasons, and western hunting opportunities.

For final eligibility, tag, and application rules, verify your plan through Idaho Fish and Game's controlled-hunt information before applying.

For more western draw and hunting strategy, visit TAGZ Insights.