Idaho Super Hunt vs. Controlled Hunts: What’s the Difference?

Idaho offers several ways to hunt limited-entry big game, but two systems hunters often confuse are Super Hunt and Controlled Hunts.

Both involve drawings, but they work very differently.

Idaho's Controlled Hunts are limited-quota hunts awarded through a random drawing. Idaho does not use preference points or bonus points for these hunts.

Super Hunt is a separate special drawing for deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. Winners can participate in any open general or controlled hunt in Idaho for the species they drew.

Understanding that distinction is important because your strategy for each system is completely different.

What Is Idaho Super Hunt?

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

Hunters enter by species rather than applying for a specific unit or controlled-hunt number.

Super Hunt includes:

• Deer
• Elk
• Pronghorn
• Moose

There is also a Super Hunt Combo, which includes one tag for each of those four species.

Under the current structure, Idaho awards 34 Super Hunt opportunities each year across two drawings.

The biggest advantage is flexibility.

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

Does Idaho Super Hunt Use Preference Points?

No.

Super Hunt is not a preference-point or bonus-point system.

You do not build points by entering unsuccessfully.

Instead, each entry gives you another chance in the drawing.

Idaho currently places no limit on the number of Super Hunt entries an individual can purchase.

That means your odds can improve by purchasing additional entries, but there is no long-term point bank or guaranteed path to drawing.

How Much Does Idaho Super Hunt Cost?

Under the current structure:

• Deer: $6 per entry
• Elk: $6 per entry
• Pronghorn: $6 per entry
• Moose: $6 per entry
• Four-Species Combo: $20 per entry

No hunting license is required merely to enter a Super Hunt drawing.

How Many Super Hunt Tags Are Available?

The current annual structure is:

First Drawing

• 8 deer
• 8 elk
• 8 pronghorn
• 1 moose
• 1 Super Hunt Combo

Second Drawing

• 2 deer
• 2 elk
• 2 pronghorn
• 1 moose
• 1 Super Hunt Combo

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

Hunters planning for 2027 should confirm the official dates once Idaho Fish and Game releases the applicable regulations.

What Are Idaho Controlled Hunts?

Controlled Hunts are limited-quota hunts where Idaho restricts the number of available tags.

Unlike Super Hunt, hunters apply for a specific controlled-hunt number.

Idaho Fish and Game instructs applicants to enter the complete hunt number rather than simply choosing a unit. Applicants may also list an optional second choice.

Controlled hunts can include:

• Deer
• Elk
• Pronghorn
• Moose
• Bighorn sheep
• Mountain goat
• Black bear
• Turkey
• Other limited opportunities

The exact structure depends on the species.

Does Idaho Use Bonus Points for Controlled Hunts?

No.

This is one of the most important corrections.

Idaho controlled hunts are awarded through a random drawing.

Idaho Fish and Game describes a controlled hunt as having a limited number of tags obtained in a random drawing. Its explanation of the drawing process also says eligible applications are assigned random numbers and successful applicants are selected by computer.

Hunters do not:

• Earn preference points
• Earn bonus points
• Buy point-only applications
• Accumulate points from unsuccessful applications
• Need a minimum point threshold to draw

That means a first-time applicant can potentially draw the same controlled hunt as someone who has applied unsuccessfully for many years.

Super Hunt vs. Controlled Hunt: Key Differences

FeatureSuper HuntControlled HuntEntry typeSpecies-level entrySpecific hunt applicationSpeciesDeer, elk, pronghorn, mooseMultiple speciesPreference pointsNoNoBonus pointsNoNoDrawingRandomRandomMultiple paid entriesYes, unlimitedStandard application structureHunting license required to enterNoYes for controlled huntsWinner chooses hunt afterwardYesNoCan hunt controlled huntYesYes, if drawn for that huntCan hunt general huntSuper Hunt winner canSeparate general-tag rules applyAnnual deadlinesMay 31 / Aug. 10 currentlyVaries by species

Idaho Controlled Hunt Application Periods

Idaho uses different application windows depending on the species.

Current application periods include:

• Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat: April 1–30
• Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Fall Bear, Fall Turkey, Swan: May 1–June 5
• First Super Hunt deadline: May 31
• Second Super Hunt deadline: August 10

For 2026 specifically, the deer, elk and pronghorn application period ran May 1 through June 5.

What Happens If Controlled Hunt Tags Remain?

Idaho can hold second controlled-hunt drawings for tags that remain available after the first drawing.

For 2026, the second deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear controlled-hunt application period ran August 5–15.

Those tags included opportunities that weren't applied for in the first drawing as well as some tags that successful applicants failed to purchase.

This process is separate from Super Hunt.

Super Hunt tags are not leftover controlled-hunt tags.

What Are Super Hunt Odds Like?

Super Hunt can be extremely competitive.

For example, Idaho's published 2026 first-drawing statistics showed:

SpeciesEntriesTagsApprox. odds per entryPronghorn11,77881 in 1,472Elk21,030*81 in 2,629Deer51,17381 in 6,397Moose25,98611 in 25,986Combo13,50911 in 13,509

Idaho Fish and Game's Super Hunt statistics page currently lists those entry totals.

*One 2026 IDFG article separately reported 51,030 elk entries, while the official Super Hunt statistics page currently shows 21,030. Because of that discrepancy, hunters should rely on IDFG's current statistics page when comparing historical odds.

What Are Controlled Hunt Odds Like?

Controlled Hunt odds vary dramatically by species, hunt number, residency, weapon and year.

Some hunts may have relatively favorable odds, while the most desirable elk, deer, moose, sheep or goat opportunities can be extremely difficult to draw.

Because Idaho doesn't use points, the important metrics are:

• Number of applicants
• Number of available tags
• Resident and nonresident odds
• First-choice demand
• Historical draw trends
• Changes in quota
• Season and weapon type

Idaho Fish and Game publishes historical controlled-hunt drawing odds and allows hunters to search them by species and hunt.

Which One Should You Apply For?

In many cases, the answer is both.

A standard controlled-hunt application lets you target a specific hunt.

Super Hunt gives you an additional lottery opportunity that doesn't interfere with your normal controlled-hunt strategy.

For example, an elk hunter might:

1. Apply for a specific Idaho controlled elk hunt.
2. Purchase one or more Elk Super Hunt entries.
3. Pursue an applicable general-season opportunity if the controlled hunt isn't drawn.

Super Hunt tags are additional to general or controlled-hunt tags a winner may already hold.

Strategy for Idaho Controlled Hunts

Since there are no points, forget the idea of "building toward" a particular Idaho hunt.

Instead, compare actual historical odds.

A good Idaho controlled-hunt strategy considers:

• Historical applicant numbers
• Tag quotas
• Resident/nonresident odds
• Season dates
• Weapon type
• Harvest statistics
• Terrain
• Public-land access
• Hunting pressure

A famous trophy hunt with extremely low odds might be worth applying for if you are comfortable taking a long shot.

But another hunt with similar terrain and hunting quality may offer substantially better odds.

Strategy for Idaho Super Hunt

Super Hunt strategy is different.

You're not selecting a particular unit when buying an entry.

Instead, decide:

• Which species you would actually hunt
• How much you are willing to spend on entries
• Whether a Combo entry makes sense
• Whether the historical odds justify additional entries

If you win, then you research Idaho's open hunts and choose where to use the tag.

That makes Super Hunt almost the reverse of a controlled-hunt application.

With a controlled hunt, you choose the hunt first and hope to draw it.

With Super Hunt, you enter for the species first and choose the hunt after winning.

How TAGZ Helps With Idaho Hunts

TAGZ can help hunters analyze Idaho opportunities without relying on nonexistent point totals.

For Controlled Hunts, hunters can compare:

• Historical draw odds
• Units
• Hunt numbers
• Weapons
• Seasons
• Terrain
• Access

For a Super Hunt winner, TAGZ can help compare available Idaho units and open hunts to decide where that unusually flexible tag could be most valuable.

Instead of asking:

"How many Idaho points do I need?"

The better questions are:

"What are my actual draw odds?"

and:

"Which comparable hunts give me the best opportunity?"

FAQ — Idaho Super Hunt vs. Controlled Hunts

What is the difference between Idaho Super Hunt and Controlled Hunts?

Controlled Hunts are limited-quota hunts where hunters apply for specific hunt numbers. Super Hunt is a separate drawing for deer, elk, pronghorn or moose, and winners can participate in any open general or controlled hunt for the species drawn.

Does Idaho Super Hunt use preference points?

No.

Do Idaho Controlled Hunts use bonus points?

No. Idaho awards controlled-hunt tags through a random drawing.

Can I apply for Super Hunt and a Controlled Hunt in the same year?

Yes. The systems are separate.

Do I need an Idaho hunting license to enter Super Hunt?

No. Idaho states that no hunting license is required merely to enter the Super Hunt drawing.

Can Super Hunt winners hunt controlled hunts?

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

Are Super Hunt tags special trophy units?

No. Super Hunt isn't a collection of designated trophy units. The winner receives a flexible species tag and then chooses among open hunts.

How many points do I need to draw an Idaho Controlled Hunt?

None. Idaho doesn't use preference or bonus points.

How much are Super Hunt entries?

Individual deer, elk, pronghorn and moose entries currently cost $6, while the four-species Combo costs $20.

How many Super Hunt entries can I buy?

Idaho currently places no limit on the number of entries an individual can purchase.

Continue Planning Your Hunt

Idaho's draw system is simpler once you remove the idea of preference and bonus points.

Controlled Hunts let you target specific limited-quota opportunities through a random draw, while Super Hunt gives you an additional chance at an extremely flexible tag for deer, elk, pronghorn or moose.

Use TAGZ to compare Idaho draw odds, research hunts and units, and evaluate opportunities based on actual historical data rather than a point total.

Explore more Idaho and Western hunting strategies through the TAGZ Insights blog.