Idaho OTC and Controlled Hunt Tags — How It Works (And How to Actually Get a Tag) 2026
Introduction
Most hunters focus on the primary draw in Colorado and then move on when they don’t pull a tag. That’s where a lot of opportunity gets missed. The secondary draw and leftover list are where things open back up, especially if you’re willing to be flexible. It’s not a guarantee, and you’re not getting premium units, but it’s one of the best ways to still get in the field the same year instead of sitting it out.
What the Secondary Draw Actually Is
The secondary draw happens after the main draw results come out. It’s made up of tags that didn’t get picked up in the first round. This can include tags that didn’t have enough applicants, second-choice tags that didn’t fill, or licenses that went undersubscribed.
The biggest thing to understand is no preference points are used or gained in the secondary draw. Everyone is on equal footing. Whether you have zero points or twenty, it doesn’t matter here. That alone makes it worth paying attention to every year.
What Kind of Tags Show Up
You’re not going to see Units 1, 2, or 201 sitting in the secondary draw. That’s not how it works. What you will see are mid-tier units, lower-demand areas, and sometimes surprisingly decent hunts that just didn’t fill the first time around.
For elk, this often includes:
- Cow elk tags across multiple units
- Some bull tags in less popular units
- Archery or rifle hunts with lower demand
For deer and pronghorn, you’ll see a mix of: - Eastern plains units
- Lower-demand seasons
- Areas with access challenges
Every year is different, which is why you have to check the list when it drops instead of assuming you know what’s on it.
How to Apply for the Secondary Draw
The process is simple, but timing matters. Once the list comes out, you submit an application just like the primary draw. You can list your choices in order, and then it goes through a draw process again.
Since there are no points involved, it’s more about demand than anything else. If a tag looks decent, expect other hunters to be looking at it too.
One thing a lot of hunters miss is this—don’t just throw random units on your application. Take a little time, look at the units, and pick ones that actually make sense for how you want to hunt.
Leftover Tags — First Come, First Served
After the secondary draw, anything that still doesn’t get picked up goes to the leftover list. This is where things shift from a draw system to a straight-up race.
Leftover tags are sold first come, first served, and they can go fast depending on what’s available. Some sit around for a while, especially cow tags or harder-to-access units, but anything halfway decent usually disappears quickly.
This is where preparation matters. Know what units you’re interested in ahead of time so you’re not scrambling when sales open.
What Makes the Secondary and Leftover Process Valuable
This is one of the few places left where you can still pivot late and make a hunt happen. If you missed the primary draw, you’re not out. You just have to adjust expectations and be willing to hunt something different.
For a lot of hunters, this is how they stay consistent. They apply for better tags in the primary draw, and if that doesn’t work out, they use the secondary draw or leftovers to get back in the field.
It’s not always glamorous, but it works.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is ignoring the secondary draw completely. A lot of hunters don’t even look at it, which means they miss out on tags they could have drawn.
Another mistake is waiting too long on leftover day. If you’re not ready when sales open, you’re probably not getting anything worth having.
And finally, some guys expect too much. These aren’t premium tags. If you go in with the mindset of just wanting to hunt, you’ll get a lot more out of it.
Final Thoughts
Colorado’s secondary draw and leftover list aren’t about chasing dream hunts—they’re about staying in the game. If your goal is to hunt every year or as often as possible, this is one of the best tools you’ve got.
The hunters who take advantage of it are the ones who end up with more experience, more time in the field, and more opportunities over the long run.
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