No Points, No Problem
If hunting Shiras moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat is on your bucket list then Idaho should be on your radar. Right at the top of your radar.
And, the good news is Idaho is a pure lottery, random-draw state. That means if you are not sitting on a decade or more worth of preference points, it is really no problem. You have the same odds of drawing as anyone else. Further, Idaho is unique in that you can apply for only one of these species each year. For example, if you apply for bighorn sheep then you are not eligible to apply for mountain goat, moose, elk, deer or antelope. This, combined with the fact you are required to purchase a non-resident annual hunting license AND front the entire state tag fee (Which WTA TAGS will float for you.) at the time of application, keeps the odds for these species at some of the best the West has to offer. That turns some hunters off but savvy hunters see the potential and it is relatively painless, especially if you have us float the fees.
Let’s look at bighorn sheep in Idaho, and we’re talking Rocky Mountain or California bighorns. Idaho presents a great opportunity, especially if you haven’t been building up preference points in other states. A potential of up to nine non-resident sheep tags and odds of drawing in some units better than 1 in 20 is a strong argument for putting your name in the applicant pool and trying to draw one of the most sought-after tags in the Lower 48.
With most moose-sheep-goat hunters listing their application choice as sheep or moose, it opens opportunities for those with mountain goat on their “must-do” list. Though many units have odds of drawing a tag in the 2- to 10-percent range (which is good for mountain-goat draws), those who do draw have recorded high success rates. So, if you draw, chances are good you’ll come away happy. Something to consider. This could be the year you make a trip to Idaho for a mountain goat.
Although odds of drawing for bighorn sheep and mountain goat in Idaho are the best in the West, an even brighter spot is the odds of drawing a Shiras moose tag. Idaho will again offer up to 53 Shiras bull moose permits to non-residents in 2021. That’s an incredible number. Moose can be found nearly statewide with quality bulls in almost every unit. Other than a couple hard-to-draw areas, most areas have reasonable odds and there are several units with draw odds of 10 to 25 percent. This is truly astounding, especially when compared to all other western states where it can take 20-plus years to draw a Shiras bull moose tag. With drawing odds often better than 1 in 10, applying for Shiras moose in Idaho is especially appealing.
To apply for moose, bighorn sheep (Rocky Mountain or California) or mountain goat, non-residents must purchase the $204 hunting license and submit the $2,626 tag fee at the time of application. Remember, if you use WTA TAGS, we will float the tag fee for you! We make it easy!
If you are interested in applying or would like more information, contact WTA TAGS at 1-800-755-TAGS (8247). The Idaho application deadline for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat is April 30 and that will be here before we know it. So call us today.
