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Get your second big game tag at a discount
through August |
August 2, 2015 |
Idaho Fish and Game is offering a discount for
big game hunters who want more hunting
opportunity. Through August only, resident and
nonresident hunters can buy remaining
nonresident tags as second tags for discounted
prices of $199 for deer and $350 for elk.
After August, sale of nonresident tags used as
second tags will increase to $300 and $415,
excluding vendor fees.
Any hunter who has purchased a hunting license
and a 2015 deer or elk tag at the regular
resident or nonresident prices can buy a
discounted second tag for the same species. Tags
are sold on a first come, first served basis and
supplies are limited to the available
nonresident tag quota.
Tags are available at Fish and Game offices and
license and tag vendors, online at
www.fishandgame.idaho.gov, or by calling
1-800-554-8685.
Fish and Game sold discounted deer and elk tags
last year as an incentive for hunters to buy the
remaining quota of nonresident tags, but
commissioners decided this year to limit the
discount sale to August. The nonresident quota
is 12,815 elk tags and 15,500 deer tags, and
since 2008, a portion of the nonresident quota
has gone unsold.
But Fish and Game has seen increased tag sales
due in part to improved deer and elk hunting in
Idaho and a better economy. Through July, sale
of nonresident elk tags is up 25 percent over
the same period last year, and up 14 percent for
deer tags.
Fish and Game is forecasting better deer and elk
hunting this year because of mild winters and
excellent survival of deer and elk.
For the first time last year, Fish and Game
commissioners allowed residents and nonresidents
to buy at a discount the remaining nonresident
tags as second tags, and it was popular.
Nonresident tag quotas are factored into
projected harvest rates, so Fish and Game
officials don’t expect increased sales, either
as nonresident tags or second tags, will lead to
overharvesting of deer or elk.
Last year, hunters using second tags accounted
for 2.5 percent of the statewide elk harvest and
3 percent of the statewide deer harvest.
While this is the second year of discounted
nonresident tags sold as second tags, the
program is not new. Nonresident deer and elk
tags have been sold as second tags since 2000.
For more information about the second tags, go
to
www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/2tags. |
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