Idaho Super Hunt FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

Idaho's Super Hunt gives hunters a chance at one of the most flexible big-game opportunities in the state. Winners can participate in any open general or controlled hunt in Idaho for the species drawn while following the rules of the individual hunt.

The program includes deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose, and both residents and nonresidents can enter. Unlike Idaho's regular controlled-hunt application process, you do not need an Idaho hunting license simply to purchase Super Hunt entries.

Here's what hunters need to know about the Idaho Super Hunt before entering.

What Is the Idaho Super Hunt Program?

Idaho Super Hunt is a separate drawing operated by Idaho Fish and Game.

Hunters can purchase entries for:

• Deer

• Elk

• Pronghorn

• Moose

• Super Hunt Combo

A species-specific winner can participate in any open general or controlled hunt in Idaho for the species drawn.

The Super Hunt Combo winner receives the opportunity to hunt all four Super Hunt species: deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose.

Super Hunt does not assign you to one predetermined unit when you enter. If you win, you decide which open hunt or hunts you want to pursue while following the regulations governing each individual hunt.

How Does the Idaho Super Hunt Entry Process Work?

Super Hunt works differently from a normal Idaho controlled-hunt application.

Rather than selecting a particular controlled hunt, hunters purchase entries for an individual species or the four-species Combo.

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

That means you could purchase one elk entry, multiple elk entries, entries for several species, Combo entries, or a combination of them.

Each entry gives you another entry in the applicable drawing.

Do I Need an Idaho Hunting License to Enter?

No.

Idaho Fish and Game states that no hunting license is required to enter a Super Hunt drawing for either residents or nonresidents.

This is an important distinction between Super Hunt and Idaho's regular controlled-hunt application process.

If you win, you still need to satisfy the applicable licensing and legal requirements before hunting.

Can Nonresidents Enter Idaho Super Hunt?

Yes.

Both Idaho residents and nonresidents may enter the Super Hunt drawings.

There isn't a separate higher Super Hunt entry price simply because you're a nonresident. The current entry prices are based on the type of entry purchased.

How Much Does Idaho Super Hunt Cost?

Current Super Hunt entry prices are:

Individual species entry: $6

Available for:

• Deer

• Elk

• Pronghorn

• Moose

Four-species Super Hunt Combo: $20

Online and telephone transactions may include additional processing fees.

There is no limit on how many entries an individual may purchase.

What Species Are Included?

Idaho Super Hunt includes four big-game species:

Deer

A deer Super Hunt winner can participate in any open general or controlled deer hunt in Idaho while following the regulations of that hunt.

Elk

An elk winner receives the same flexibility for open Idaho elk hunts.

Pronghorn

A pronghorn winner can participate in open general or controlled pronghorn hunts.

Moose

A moose winner can participate in open Idaho moose hunts according to the rules governing the individual hunt.

Super Hunt Combo

A Combo winner receives hunting opportunities for all four species.

How Many Idaho Super Hunt Tags Are Available?

Idaho currently awards 34 Super Hunt winners each year through two drawings.

First Drawing

The first drawing awards:

• 8 deer

• 8 elk

• 8 pronghorn

• 1 moose

• 1 Super Hunt Combo

That's 26 winners.

Second Drawing

The second drawing awards:

• 2 deer

• 2 elk

• 2 pronghorn

• 1 moose

• 1 Super Hunt Combo

That's another eight winners.

Combined, Idaho awards 34 Super Hunt winners annually.

When Are the Idaho Super Hunt Deadlines?

There are two drawings, not one annual application period.

First Drawing

Entry deadline: May 31

Winning entries are drawn in June.

Entries purchased for the first drawing do not automatically carry over into the second drawing.

Second Drawing

Entry deadline: August 10

Winning entries are drawn in August.

If you entered the first drawing and didn't win, you need to purchase new entries if you want to participate in the second drawing.

Always confirm current deadlines with Idaho Fish and Game before entering.

Does Idaho Super Hunt Use Preference or Bonus Points?

No.

Super Hunt does not use a preference- or bonus-point system.

Your previous Super Hunt history doesn't give you priority in a future drawing.

It's also important to understand that Idaho's regular controlled-hunt system does not operate as a traditional preference-point system. Don't build an Idaho strategy around accumulating deer, elk, pronghorn, or moose preference points.

What Are the Odds of Winning Idaho Super Hunt?

Super Hunt odds depend on the number of entries in a particular drawing and the number of available tags.

Idaho Fish and Game publishes historical Super Hunt drawing statistics, which makes it possible to see how many entries were submitted for each species and how many winners were drawn.

For example, the 2026 second drawing received:

• 12,627 deer entries for 2 winners

• 17,993 elk entries for 2 winners

• 4,862 pronghorn entries for 2 winners

• 25,091 moose entries for 1 winner

• 6,270 Combo entries for 1 winner

Those numbers illustrate why Super Hunt should be viewed as an additional opportunity rather than a predictable way to obtain a tag.

Does Applying Early Improve My Odds?

No.

Buying your entry earlier in the entry period doesn't make that entry more likely to be selected.

What matters is having a valid entry in the applicable drawing.

Because Idaho allows unlimited entries, purchasing additional entries increases the number of entries you personally have in the drawing. It does not guarantee that you'll win.

Do You Choose a Unit When Entering Super Hunt?

No.

This is one of the most important differences between Super Hunt and a regular controlled-hunt application.

You aren't selecting a particular Idaho unit or hunt when purchasing your Super Hunt entry.

If you win, you can participate in any open general or controlled hunt in Idaho for the species drawn.

That means there's no strategy of "diversifying your unit choices" or choosing a less-popular Super Hunt unit to improve your odds.

There are no Super Hunt unit choices to diversify.

Can a Super Hunt Winner Hunt Controlled Hunts?

Yes.

A Super Hunt winner can participate in open controlled hunts for the species drawn as well as open general hunts.

However, the Super Hunt tag doesn't erase the rules governing those hunts.

If a hunt has specific:

• Season dates

• Boundaries

• Weapon restrictions

• Sex or antler restrictions

• Access requirements

• Other legal requirements

those rules still apply.

For example, if an individual hunt is muzzleloader-only, possessing a Super Hunt tag doesn't turn it into a rifle hunt.

Is a Super Hunt Tag Limited to Public Land?

No.

Super Hunt determines the hunting opportunity associated with the tag; it doesn't automatically grant access to private property.

Hunters still need to comply with land ownership, access, and permission requirements.

Never assume that winning Super Hunt gives you unrestricted access to private land.

Does Super Hunt Replace My Other Idaho Tags?

No.

Idaho Fish and Game specifically describes Super Hunt tags as additional tags.

If you already hold an eligible general-season or controlled-hunt tag, winning Super Hunt doesn't automatically require you to surrender that tag.

This makes Super Hunt an additional opportunity rather than a replacement for your normal Idaho hunting plans.

Does Super Hunt Affect My Regular Controlled-Hunt Application?

Super Hunt operates separately from the normal controlled-hunt drawing.

Purchasing Super Hunt entries does not replace your regular controlled-hunt application.

Hunters can potentially pursue both opportunities when otherwise eligible under Idaho's regulations.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning?

There isn't a secret unit or application strategy that changes the drawing mechanics.

The basic math is straightforward: each valid entry participates in the applicable drawing, and Idaho does not limit the number of entries you may purchase.

Purchasing additional entries therefore gives you more entries in the drawing, but it doesn't guarantee a tag.

Entering early doesn't improve an individual entry's odds.

Choosing a "less popular unit" doesn't work because you aren't choosing a unit when entering.

And there are no preference points to build.

Decide how much you're comfortable spending and treat Super Hunt as an additional opportunity alongside your normal hunting plans.

What Happens If You Win?

This is when the real hunt planning begins.

Instead of being locked into the particular hunt associated with a normal controlled-hunt tag, a Super Hunt winner can research the open opportunities available for the species drawn.

Compare:

• Hunt dates

• Hunt boundaries

• Weapon restrictions

• Historical harvest information

• Access

• Terrain

• Public and private land

• Your available hunting time

The flexibility to choose among open hunts is one of the defining features of Idaho Super Hunt.

Is Idaho Super Hunt Worth Entering?

That depends on your hunting goals and budget.

Super Hunt provides a chance at an unusually flexible Idaho hunting opportunity, but the historical entry totals show that considerably more entries are submitted than tags are awarded.

It should therefore be viewed as an optional additional opportunity rather than something you can count on drawing.

FAQ — Idaho Super Hunt

How do I enter Idaho Super Hunt?

Purchase an entry through an authorized Idaho Fish and Game sales channel. Entries can be purchased online, through participating license vendors, by phone, at Idaho Fish and Game offices, and through other methods currently authorized by IDFG.

Do I need an Idaho hunting license to enter?

No. Idaho Fish and Game does not require residents or nonresidents to have a hunting license simply to enter Super Hunt.

Can nonresidents enter?

Yes. Super Hunt is open to both residents and nonresidents.

What species are included?

Deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. Idaho also offers a four-species Super Hunt Combo.

How much does it cost?

Current individual species entries are $6 each, while Super Hunt Combo entries are $20 each. Additional transaction fees may apply depending on the purchase method.

How many entries can I purchase?

There is no limit on the number of Super Hunt entries an individual may purchase.

When are the Super Hunt deadlines?

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

Does Super Hunt use preference points?

No. Super Hunt is not a preference-point drawing.

Do I choose a unit when I enter?

No. You enter for a species or the four-species Combo, not a particular hunt unit.

Can I hunt controlled hunts if I win?

Yes. Winners may participate in any open general or controlled hunt for the species drawn. All other rules of the individual hunt still apply.

Does entering early improve my odds?

No. An entry doesn't receive better drawing priority simply because it was purchased earlier.

Can I buy multiple entries?

Yes. Idaho places no limit on the number of Super Hunt entries an individual may purchase.

Continue Planning Your Hunt

Idaho Super Hunt is best understood as an additional opportunity rather than a replacement for your regular Idaho hunting strategy.

You don't choose a unit when entering. You don't build preference points. And you don't need an Idaho hunting license simply to purchase an entry.

Instead, you purchase entries for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, or the four-species Combo and wait for the random drawing.

If you win, that's when unit and hunt research becomes especially important because you can choose among open general and controlled hunts for your species.

Use TAGZ to research Idaho units, draw information, seasons, maps, and Western hunting opportunities as you build your hunting plan.

Always confirm current entry deadlines, fees, hunt regulations, licensing requirements, and individual hunt rules directly with Idaho Fish and Game before entering or hunting.