Idaho has two general season deer tags, and choosing between them is the biggest decision in planning a hunt. They cost the same, but they open very different seasons. Here’s how they work and how to pick.

The two general deer tags

	Regular deer tag	White-tailed deer tag
Species	Mule deer and whitetails	Whitetails only
Typical seasons	Archery from August 30; any-weapon seasons often October 10 to late October	Often longer, some into November or December
Legal deer	Many any-weapon seasons are antlered only	Many seasons are either sex
Nonresident price	$351.75	$351.75
Resident price	$24.75	$24.75

You can hold only one general deer tag a year, aside from any second tag bought in August. Nonresident regular and white-tailed tags share one quota of 15,500.

How seasons work by unit

Deer seasons in Idaho are set by game management unit. Every unit lists separate seasons for each tag, with dates, weapons, and legal deer. For example, in 2026:

• Unit 39, regular deer tag: any weapon, October 10–31, antlered only
• Unit 39, white-tailed deer tag: any weapon, October 10–31, either sex
• Unit 26, white-tailed deer tag: any weapon, September 15 – November 18, either sex
• Unit 60, white-tailed deer tag: any weapon, November 10 – December 9, either sex

Some seasons are limited to certain hunters, such as youth-only hunts. Read the line for your unit carefully.

Which tag should you buy?

Choose the regular deer tag if:

• You want a mule deer buck
• You’re hunting central or southern Idaho, where mule deer are the main species
• You’re bowhunting in late August or September and want either species

Choose the white-tailed deer tag if:

• You’re hunting north Idaho, where whitetails are most common
• You want to hunt into November, when the whitetail rut is on
• You want an either-sex tag to fill the freezer

Antler rules

In antlered-only seasons, a legal deer must have at least one antler longer than 3 inches, and the antlers must stay with the carcass while you’re moving it. In antlerless seasons, legal deer have no antlers or antlers shorter than 3 inches.

The nonresident quota and what changed

Nonresidents used to buy general deer tags over the counter. Starting in 2026, they’re issued through a December drawing with a second round in February. Nonresidents choose specific units on their application, so the unit decision has to be made early. There are no points. See how to apply.

If you miss the draw, watch for IDFG’s returned tag sales, and for possible second-tag sales in early August if the quota isn’t filled.

General tag vs. controlled hunt

	General tag	Controlled hunt
Area	One unit (nonresidents choose at application)	A specific hunt area
How to get it	December drawing (nonresidents)	Spring drawing, May–June
Points	None	None
Hunter numbers	Higher	Lower
Best for	Most hunts	Trophy mule deer, late rut hunts, antlerless hunts

Tips for a general tag hunt

• Mule deer: Glass open slopes at first and last light. In the backcountry, older bucks are often high and far from trails early in the season.
• Whitetails: In north Idaho’s timber, sit edges between cover and feed, or still-hunt after a fresh snow. November is the best month in units with long seasons.
• Combine with elk. Many units have deer and elk seasons at the same time, and one hunting license covers both.
• Use all five choices on your application so you still hunt if your top unit fills.

Related: How Idaho draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Idaho Deer Hunting Guide · How to apply for deer tags · Deer season dates

Tag and season information is from Idaho Fish and Game’s 2026 Hunt Planner and fee schedule. Seasons change, so confirm in the current IDFG Big Game Seasons and Rules before you apply.