Idaho Super Hunt Odds by Species: Elk vs. Deer vs. Moose vs. Pronghorn

Idaho's Super Hunt gives resident and nonresident hunters a chance at one of the most flexible big-game tags in the West, though it's often confused with the state's leftover controlled-hunt process. Super Hunt tags are not leftover tags. Idaho Fish and Game conducts separate Super Hunt drawings for deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose, plus a four-species Combo. A Super Hunt winner can participate in any open general or controlled hunt for the species drawn, following the rules and seasons established for that hunt. There are no preference or bonus points involved in Super Hunt or Idaho's standard controlled-hunt drawing.

For hunters planning ahead to 2027, Super Hunt should be viewed as an additional lottery opportunity, not a replacement for Idaho's regular controlled-hunt or general-tag strategy. The odds are long, but the flexibility of a winning tag makes it an attractive add-on to a broader Idaho hunting plan.

How the Idaho Super Hunt Works

Idaho holds two Super Hunt drawings each year. Under Idaho Fish and Game's current structure, hunters purchase entries for a species rather than selecting a particular unit or controlled hunt. Individual entries are available for deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. Hunters can also purchase a Super Hunt Combo entry, which gives them a chance to win tags for all four species.

Current Idaho Fish and Game regulations list individual entries at $6 each and four-species Combo entries at $20, before applicable processing fees. There is no limit on the number of entries a hunter can purchase, and hunters do not need an Idaho hunting license simply to enter the Super Hunt drawing. For 2026, Idaho used a May 31 deadline for the first drawing and an August 10 deadline for the second drawing. Hunters should verify the official 2027 dates when Idaho Fish and Game releases the next regulations.

Idaho Super Hunt Is Not a Leftover Draw

This is the most important distinction. Super Hunt does not consist of controlled-hunt tags that went undrawn or were returned after Idaho's regular drawing. Idaho has separate processes for leftover controlled-hunt permits. Super Hunt is its own special drawing with a predetermined number of tags.

That distinction also changes how hunters should interpret the odds. You aren't entering for Unit 66A elk or Unit 67 mule deer. Instead, you purchase an entry for elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, or the four-species Combo. If you win, the flexibility of the Super Hunt tag is what makes it so valuable.

How Many Idaho Super Hunt Tags Are Available

Under the current structure, Idaho awards 34 Super Hunt opportunities across two drawings each year. The first drawing awards 8 deer tags, 8 elk tags, 8 pronghorn tags, 1 moose tag, and 1 four-species Combo. The second drawing awards 2 deer tags, 2 elk tags, 2 pronghorn tags, 1 moose tag, and 1 four-species Combo. The two Combo winners receive the opportunity to hunt deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose.

Idaho Elk Super Hunt Odds

Elk is one of the most attractive Super Hunt opportunities because a winning tag can be used in any open Idaho elk hunt, including controlled hunts. According to Idaho Fish and Game's published 2026 Super Hunt statistics, the first drawing received 21,030 elk entries for 8 tags. That works out to approximately 1 in 2,629 per entry or roughly a 0.038 percent chance per entry. The second drawing received 17,993 entries for 2 elk tags, or approximately 1 in 8,997 per entry.

These numbers demonstrate why Super Hunt shouldn't be described as an easy backup elk opportunity. It is a genuine lottery with long odds. Hunters researching Idaho elk draw strategy should consider Super Hunt as an additional layer rather than a primary plan.

Idaho Deer Super Hunt Odds

Deer attracts considerably more entries. The 2026 first drawing received 51,173 deer entries for 8 tags. That's approximately 1 in 6,397 per entry. The second drawing received 12,627 deer entries for 2 tags, or approximately 1 in 6,314 per entry.

It's also important to understand that hunters aren't separately entering a mule deer or whitetail Super Hunt drawing. The category is deer. The value comes from what the winning deer Super Hunt tag allows the hunter to pursue afterward.

Idaho Pronghorn Super Hunt Odds

Based on Idaho Fish and Game's published 2026 numbers, pronghorn offered the best per-entry odds among deer, elk, and pronghorn in the first drawing. The first drawing received 11,778 pronghorn entries for 8 tags. That's approximately 1 in 1,472 per entry or roughly 0.068 percent. The second drawing received 4,862 entries for 2 tags, or approximately 1 in 2,431 per entry.

Those are still long odds, but recent entry totals make pronghorn particularly interesting for hunters comparing Super Hunt species.

Idaho Moose Super Hunt Odds

Moose is the longest-shot individual species because Idaho awards only one moose Super Hunt tag in each drawing. The 2026 first drawing received 25,986 entries for 1 moose tag. That's 1 in 25,986 per entry. The second drawing received 25,091 entries for 1 tag, or 1 in 25,091 per entry.

The odds are extremely small, but the potential reward is enormous because a winning Super Hunt tag provides access to any open Idaho moose hunt subject to the applicable hunt rules. For more on Idaho's moose opportunities, see Idaho Moose Super Hunt 2027.

Idaho Super Hunt Combo Odds

The Combo is one of the most unusual hunting opportunities available anywhere in the West. A winning Combo provides Super Hunt tags for deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. The 2026 first drawing received 13,509 Combo entries for 1 winner, or approximately 1 in 13,509 per entry. The second drawing received 6,270 entries for 1 winner, or approximately 1 in 6,270 per entry.

2026 Idaho Super Hunt Odds Comparison

Based strictly on Idaho Fish and Game's published 2026 first-drawing statistics, pronghorn had the best per-entry odds of the individual Super Hunt species at approximately 1 in 1,472. Elk followed at approximately 1 in 2,629, deer at 1 in 6,397, Combo at 1 in 13,509, and moose at 1 in 25,986. Historical results can change from year to year as the number of entries changes.

Residents vs. Nonresidents

Another major correction from the previous version of this article is important here. There aren't separate resident and nonresident Super Hunt odds such as resident 20 percent and nonresident 12 percent. Residents and nonresidents participate in the same Super Hunt drawing. Idaho Fish and Game allows both residents and nonresidents to enter, and a hunting license isn't required merely to purchase a Super Hunt entry.

That makes Super Hunt particularly interesting for nonresidents who want another chance at an Idaho hunting opportunity. Nonresidents researching Idaho's draw system should also review how Idaho's hunting draw works.

Can Buying More Entries Improve Your Odds

Yes, mathematically. Idaho does not limit the number of Super Hunt entries a person can purchase. Every additional entry gives you another chance in the drawing. However, buying more entries doesn't turn Super Hunt into a high-probability strategy. Even the comparatively favorable pronghorn odds remain long. Super Hunt should therefore be treated as an additional opportunity, not the foundation of your Idaho hunting plans.

Idaho Super Hunt vs. Controlled Hunts

These are two separate systems. Idaho's standard controlled hunts have limited tag quotas, require hunters to apply for specific controlled hunts, use a random drawing, and do not use preference points or bonus points. Super Hunt is a separate special drawing covering deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. Super Hunt allows unlimited paid entries, doesn't require a hunting license merely to enter, gives winners exceptional flexibility in choosing an open hunt, and does not use preference or bonus points. A hunter can participate in both systems.

Idaho Super Hunt vs. Leftover Tags

Super Hunt also shouldn't be confused with Idaho's leftover controlled-hunt permits. Leftover permits result when controlled-hunt tags remain available after the applicable drawing or process. Super Hunt tags are deliberately created as separate special opportunities. Therefore, there is no reason to monitor a Super Hunt leftover unit list before buying an entry. You're entering for a species, not selecting from leftover units.

Can You Hold a Super Hunt Tag and Another Idaho Tag

Yes. Idaho Fish and Game states that Super Hunt tags are in addition to general and controlled-hunt tags that a hunter has applied for or already holds. That's another reason Super Hunt works well as an additional opportunity. You don't need to abandon your normal Idaho application strategy to participate.

Continue Planning Your Idaho Hunt

Idaho Super Hunt is best viewed as an additional opportunity layered onto a broader Idaho hunting strategy. A Super Hunt win could provide extraordinary flexibility, but the odds remain long. Hunters should still research Idaho's general tags, controlled hunts, seasons, and units rather than relying on a Super Hunt entry as their primary plan. Use TAGZ to research Idaho hunting opportunities and draw information, explore more hunting strategy through TAGZ Insights, and use the TAGZ planning tools to build your Western hunting strategy. For related reading, see Idaho Super Hunt deadlines 2027 and TAGZ launches for Idaho.

FAQ — Idaho Super Hunt Odds

Which species has the best Idaho Super Hunt odds? Based on Idaho Fish and Game's published 2026 first-drawing statistics, pronghorn had the best per-entry odds among the individual species, at approximately 1 in 1,472.

Does Idaho Super Hunt use preference points? No. Super Hunt is not a preference-point drawing.

Does Idaho use preference points for normal controlled hunts? No. Idaho's standard controlled-hunt system does not use preference or bonus points.

Is Idaho Super Hunt a leftover-tag drawing? No. Super Hunt is a separate drawing and should not be confused with Idaho's leftover controlled-hunt process.

What species can you enter for? Deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. Idaho also offers a four-species Combo.

Can nonresidents enter? Yes. Idaho Super Hunt is open to residents and nonresidents.