Is the Idaho Super Hunt Worth Entering?

Idaho's Super Hunt gives hunters a shot at one of the most flexible big-game tags in the state. If you win, you can hunt the species you drew during any open general or controlled hunt in Idaho, subject to the rules of that hunt. The catch is that the odds are very long, but the entry cost is low enough that many hunters find it worth the gamble.

For 2026, individual Super Hunt entries cost $6 each, the four-species Super Hunt Combo costs $20 per entry, no hunting license is required simply to enter, and there is no limit on the number of entries you can purchase. Unlike Idaho's regular controlled-hunt system, Super Hunt entries are purchased separately and don't interfere with your other controlled-hunt applications or tags.

What Is Idaho's Super Hunt?

Idaho's Super Hunt is a special drawing administered by Idaho Fish and Game. The program covers four big-game species: deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. There is also a Super Hunt Combo, which gives the winner the opportunity to hunt all four species. Black bear, mountain lion, turkey, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat are not Super Hunt species.

Idaho awards 34 individual Super Hunt opportunities each year, including the two four-species Combo winners. There are two separate drawings, one with a May 31 deadline and one with an August 10 deadline. Entries purchased for the first drawing do not carry over into the second drawing, so if you want to participate in both, you need entries for each.

How Many Idaho Super Hunt Tags Are Available?

The first drawing awards 8 deer tags, 8 elk tags, 8 pronghorn tags, 1 moose tag, and 1 Super Hunt Combo. The second drawing awards 2 deer tags, 2 elk tags, 2 pronghorn tags, 1 moose tag, and 1 Super Hunt Combo. Across both drawings, that's 10 deer tags, 10 elk tags, 10 pronghorn tags, 2 moose tags, and 2 Super Hunt Combo winners. The two Combo winners can hunt all four species.

What Can You Do With a Super Hunt Tag?

This is what makes the program so appealing. A Super Hunt winner can participate in any open hunt in Idaho for the species drawn, including general and controlled hunts. For example, an elk Super Hunt winner isn't restricted to one specific controlled hunt. The hunter can choose among open elk hunts around the state, provided they follow the rules governing the hunt they choose.

The Super Hunt tag is also considered an additional opportunity. Idaho Fish and Game states that winners may use their Super Hunt opportunity in addition to general-season or controlled-hunt tags they already hold. That's significantly different from simply drawing a normal controlled-hunt tag tied to a specific hunt.

How Much Does Idaho's Super Hunt Cost?

For 2026, individual species entries cost $6. You can enter for deer, elk, pronghorn, or moose. Super Hunt Combo entries cost $20. The Combo covers all four species if you win. Additional processing fees may apply to online and telephone transactions.

One of the biggest corrections from earlier versions of this information is that Idaho Fish and Game specifically states that residents and nonresidents do not need a hunting license simply to enter the Super Hunt drawing. That makes the program substantially more attractive to nonresidents than you might expect. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on an Idaho nonresident license and species tag just to buy Super Hunt entries.

Is There a Limit on Super Hunt Entries?

No. Idaho Fish and Game states there is no limit to the number of Super Hunt entries an individual can purchase. Buying more entries increases the number of chances you have in that particular drawing, but it doesn't make winning likely. This is still a long-shot drawing.

What Were the 2026 Idaho Super Hunt Odds?

Actual participation gives us a much better picture than hypothetical odds. For the first 2026 drawing, Idaho reported thousands of entries competing for the available tags across deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and the Combo. Idaho Fish and Game's June announcement reported one elk figure, while its current drawing-statistics page displays a different number for that field; because those two official pages conflict, hunters should use IDFG's current published statistics when making decisions and recognize that the elk figure has an apparent reporting discrepancy.

The second 2026 drawing also received thousands of entries for each species, with moose drawing particularly heavy interest relative to the single tag available. Those numbers show why Super Hunt should be viewed as a long-shot opportunity rather than part of a predictable draw strategy.

Which Idaho Super Hunt Species Has the Best Odds?

It changes from drawing to drawing. You can't simply say elk, deer, or pronghorn always has the best odds because participation changes. For example, the 2026 second drawing had far fewer pronghorn entries competing for two tags compared with elk entries competing for two elk tags. Moose had very heavy competition for only one tag. Always check recent Idaho Fish and Game statistics instead of assuming one species consistently provides better odds.

What Is the Super Hunt Combo?

The Super Hunt Combo is arguably the most interesting prize in the program. Instead of winning one species tag, a Combo winner gets the opportunity to hunt deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose during any open hunts for those species. Idaho awards two Combo opportunities annually, one through each drawing. Entries cost $20 each. Like individual Super Hunt entries, there's no stated limit on how many Combo entries you can purchase.

Does Idaho Use Preference Points?

No. Idaho's controlled-hunt system does not operate as a preference-point system where unsuccessful applicants accumulate points and applicants with the most points draw first. That means statements about maximum-point holders, accumulating Idaho preference points for 10 to 20 years, or preserving your Idaho preference points after winning a Super Hunt tag don't describe Idaho's system.

Super Hunt vs. Idaho Controlled Hunts

The systems are separate. A normal controlled-hunt application is for a specific controlled hunting opportunity. Super Hunt works differently. If you win, you gain broad flexibility to participate in an open general or controlled hunt for the species you won. Super Hunt entries also don't prevent you from participating in Idaho's regular controlled-hunt process. Idaho Fish and Game specifically describes a Super Hunt tag as an extra tag that doesn't affect your other controlled-hunt applications.

Can You Apply for Controlled Hunts and Super Hunt?

Yes. You don't have to choose one or the other. A hunter can enter Super Hunt while also pursuing regular Idaho hunting opportunities. That's one reason the $6 entry can be attractive. You're essentially adding another independent chance at an unusually flexible tag.

Can Moose Hunters Enter Super Hunt?

Yes. Moose is one of the four Super Hunt species. Idaho awards one individual moose Super Hunt tag in each drawing, for two annually. Moose is also included in the four-species Combo.

Are Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Included?

No. Idaho Super Hunt covers deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. Bighorn sheep and mountain goat aren't part of the Super Hunt drawing. Hunters interested in those species need to research Idaho's separate controlled-hunt opportunities.

Is Black Bear Included?

No. Idaho does have controlled hunts for black bear in addition to other bear hunting opportunities, but black bear isn't one of the four Super Hunt species.

Is Mountain Lion Included?

No. Mountain lion isn't an Idaho Super Hunt species.

Is Turkey Included?

No. Turkey also isn't part of Super Hunt. The program is specifically built around deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose.

Is Idaho's Super Hunt Worth Entering?

For many hunters, it can be. The biggest reason is the relatively low entry cost. At $6 for an individual species entry, you can add another chance at an Idaho tag without buying a hunting license simply to enter. But you need realistic expectations. Thousands of entries can compete for a very small number of tags. You're buying a chance, not building toward a guaranteed tag.

Super Hunt may make sense if you already want to hunt Idaho, you're interested in a highly flexible elk, deer, pronghorn, or moose opportunity, you're comfortable spending a small amount on a low-probability drawing, you understand that buying entries doesn't build points, you want an opportunity separate from your normal controlled-hunt applications, and you'd make use of the tag if you won.

It may not fit your strategy if you have a very limited application budget, you dislike extremely low-probability drawings, you would rather spend the money on applications with higher odds, or you don't have the time or budget to take advantage of the tag if you unexpectedly win. That's especially important with a tag this flexible. Winning is only valuable if you can actually turn the opportunity into a hunt.

Should You Buy More Super Hunt Entries?

That's a personal budget decision. Because Idaho places no limit on entries, you could purchase many chances. Mathematically, more entries give you more chances in that drawing. But they don't transform a low-probability drawing into a predictable strategy. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you're due to win after entering for years. Each drawing is a new drawing. Previous losses don't create preference. A brand-new entrant can win while someone who has purchased entries for years doesn't. That's fundamentally different from a preference-point system.

Where Does the Super Hunt Money Go?

There's also a conservation and access component. Idaho Fish and Game states that proceeds from Super Hunt entries support Idaho's access programs, which are designed to improve hunter opportunities. So even unsuccessful entries help fund hunter-access efforts in Idaho.

Idaho Super Hunt Strategy

A better way to think about Super Hunt is as one layer of a larger Idaho strategy. You might pursue regular controlled hunts, general opportunities, nonresident opportunities where applicable, Super Hunt, and Super Hunt Combo. The important part is understanding that each opportunity operates under its own rules.

How TAGZ Fits Into Your Idaho Strategy

TAGZ helps with the hunt-selection and application side of western hunting. Use TAGZ to research Idaho draw odds, hunt units, seasons, resident and nonresident opportunities, weapon and season options, and other western hunting opportunities. For Idaho Super Hunt rules, entry fees, deadlines, and annual drawing details, always verify the current information directly with Idaho Fish and Game because these rules can change. TAGZ helps you build the hunt strategy; Idaho Fish and Game provides the final rules you apply under.

For more on how Idaho's Super Hunt compares to other special-tag systems, see Idaho Super Hunt 2027: Complete Guide to Idaho's Super Tags. If you're deciding whether to enter, check out Idaho Super Hunt for Nonresident Hunters: Is It Worth the Money?. You can also explore species-specific details in Idaho Elk Super Hunt 2027: How to Apply and Where You Could Hunt, Idaho Moose Super Hunt 2027: Odds, Rules, and Application Strategy, and Idaho Mule Deer Super Hunt 2027: Everything You Need to Know.

FAQ вЂ" Idaho Super Hunt

What is the Idaho Super Hunt? Idaho's Super Hunt is a special drawing that gives winners the opportunity to participate in any open general or controlled hunt in Idaho for the species they draw.

What species are included in Idaho Super Hunt? Deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose. Black bear, mountain lion, turkey, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat are not included.

Do I need an Idaho hunting license to enter? No. Idaho Fish and Game states that no hunting license is required to enter Super Hunt for residents or nonresidents.

How much is an Idaho Super Hunt entry? For 2026, individual deer, elk, pronghorn, or moose entries cost $6 each. Combo entries cost $20 each.

Does Idaho Super Hunt use preference points? No. Idaho's controlled-hunt system doesn't use a traditional preference-point structure, and Super Hunt doesn't build points either.

Can I enter Super Hunt and apply for a controlled hunt? Yes. Super Hunt is separate from the regular controlled-hunt process and doesn't affect those applications.