Idaho is one of the more affordable western states for a nonresident deer hunt. License and tag fees come to about $565, and there are no points to buy. A DIY trip usually runs $1,300 to $4,150, while guided hunts commonly run $5,500 to $7,000. Here’s the detail.
License costs
From Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG):
| Item | Nonresident | Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting license (adult) | $185 | $15.75 |
| Access/depredation fee (once a year) | $10 | $5 |
| General tag application fee | $18 | Not required |
| Deer tag (regular or white-tailed) | $351.75 | $24.75 |
| Total, any-weapon hunt | about $565 | about $46 |
| Archery permit (archery-only seasons) | $81.75 | $19.50 |
| Muzzleloader permit (muzzleloader-only seasons) | $81.75 | $19.50 |
| Controlled hunt application (optional) | $18 | $6.25 |
The nonresident hunting license is nonrefundable and includes a three-day fishing license. Online and phone purchases add a processing fee.
Hunting deer and elk on one trip? You buy the hunting license once. A nonresident with both tags pays about $1,235 in license, access/depredation, application, and tag fees.
No points to pay for. Many western states charge nonresidents every year to build preference or bonus points. Idaho has no point system for deer, so you pay only in the years you actually apply and hunt. Keep in mind that the hunting license is nonrefundable, so you pay it even if you don’t draw.
DIY hunt: what to budget
| Expense | Typical range |
|---|---|
| License, tag, and fees | about $565–$645 |
| Travel (gas or flights, rental) | $400–$1,500 |
| Food and camping for 5–7 days | $150–$400 |
| Motel if not camping | $0–$1,000 |
| Meat processing | $150–$300 |
| Cooler, ice, getting meat home | $50–$300 |
| Trip total, not counting gear | about $1,300–$4,150 |
These are estimates. Good optics are the most important gear for mule deer, while whitetail hunters in north Idaho’s timber may want a tree stand or ground blind.
Guided hunt prices
Real examples from Idaho outfitters’ published prices:
| Hunt type | Example price |
|---|---|
| October rifle mule deer, 1-on-1 | $7,000 |
| Same, 2 hunters per guide | $5,500 |
| 6-day late-season mule deer | $6,900 |
| 6-day controlled muzzleloader deer, late November–December | $6,500 |
| 6-day elk and mule deer combo, October | $8,600 |
| Trophy mule deer, Units 36 and 36B (listed as “1 on 2”; ask what the price covers) | $20,000 |
| Drop camp (deer and elk), central Idaho, 2–3 hunters | $2,500–$2,700 per hunter |
Some backcountry elk outfitters also let clients carry a deer tag at no extra hunt cost. Ask about it if you’re booking an elk hunt.
What’s usually NOT included
- Your hunting license, tags, and permits
- Idaho sales tax (6%), which outfitters add to the hunt price
- Air taxi and game flights on wilderness hunts (one outfitter lists $200 to fly out a deer in 2026)
- Travel to Idaho
- Meat processing (around $250 for a deer, per one outfitter), shipping, and taxidermy
- Tips, often 15% to 20% of the hunt price
Ways to save
- Hunt deer and elk on one license. You only pay for the hunting license once.
- Pick an either-sex whitetail season to improve your odds of bringing home meat.
- Book a drop camp for a backcountry hunt without a guide’s daily rate.
- Look for cancellations after the January tag purchase deadline. See discount guided hunts.
- Try a self-guided or lease hunt on private land. Browse DIY hunts and hunting leases.
Compare prices
See Idaho deer outfitters and what they charge
Contact outfitters directly through their Horn & Fin listings.
Related: How Idaho draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Idaho Deer Hunting Guide · Guided vs. DIY deer hunts · How to apply for deer tags
License fees are from Idaho Fish and Game. Guided hunt examples are from outfitters’ published price lists and can change at any time; confirm license costs in the current IDFG fee schedule.