If you are an out-of-state hunter planning to pursue deer and elk in Idaho in 2025, make sure to mark Dec. 10 on your calendar. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) recently announced this new date for the sale of 2025 nonresident deer and elk tags, which is a shift from previous years.

“We’ve received feedback from Idaho residents regarding the difficulty of renewing their licenses on Dec. 1 and receiving them by mail before January,” said Tara Reichert, IDFG’s License Operations Manager. “With Dec. 1 falling on a Sunday this year, coinciding with Thanksgiving weekend, we believe Dec. 10 will be more convenient for both our resident and nonresident customers.”

Residents can now purchase licenses and permits earlier in December. This change allows auto-renewal transactions to be processed more efficiently, improving overall customer service, according to an IDFG news release. IDFG also plans to notify nonresident hunters via email about this sale date change, provided they have an email on file.

70MAX is also assisting in spreading the news to hunters who may not be aware of the new date.

“If someone in your family or hunting group plans to purchase a nonresident tag for next year, please inform them,” Reichert added. “We want to ensure everyone arrives on the correct day, especially those traveling to Idaho to obtain a tag.”

It is also important to note that new big game seasons for 2025 will be established in March, meaning that hunts in 2025 may differ from those in 2024.