My son told me elk tags can be bought over the counter in Idaho, T or F? If so we are looking for a outfitter or guide for a elk hunt. One of us would buy a bull tag and the other a cow.
Any recommendations for an outfitter or guide would be appreciated.

I posted this info in another elk thread but it applies here, also.

Hunting in Idaho, contact .....

Idaho Fish & Game for regulations and seasons. idfg.idaho.gov

Hunting guides, contact ..... Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association: IOGA

ioga.org

I'd start there. Good luck on your future hunt in Idaho.

L.W.

True. A non resident can buy tags in Idaho over the counter but they are limited and have been selling out every year. I believe non-resident elk tags go on sale in December but that won’t be for all areas. I’m a resident so I’ve never used a guide in Idaho but I can tell you that wanting to hunt bulls and cows simultaneously will be very difficult. There are very few either sex elk hunts in Idaho anymore. Your best bet would be to locate your outfitters first and then do whatever steps they tell you to get your tags.

I wouldn’t overlook Southwestern Montana either. Great elk herds there and tags aren’t too hard to come by.

If you hunt the Salmon area, I can suggest a family that guides...

I live in Idaho. By buddy and I looked up some outfitters in Idaho to take us into the back country. To have a new experience. At first several sounded legit. But after sever conversations and pics emailed to us. It came apparent they had not had the success of harvesting animals as they first made it appear. No back to back years of client success. A bunch of pics from the 60s-1990s. Nothing really attractive for the costs of $3-7 though per person to start. 3 out of the eight outfitters couldn’t even show pics at all from the last 18 years.

A buddy who uses a guide out of Riggins. Has spent over $50 thou in the last 3 years for Elk, Deer, Bear, and Mountain kitty’s. Has only harvested 1 dink of an Elk 3x5, one deer. That’s it. This year in 10 days of being guided. He seen zero animals this year. That’s really bad guiding!!!

Brian