Idaho Non-Resident Application Dec 1 - Online Fiasco

[KennyQuacker]

Curious to know if anyone else enjoyed the Online Fiasco yesterday with the Idaho Non-Resident Application process ?

I attempted to jump online at 8:30AM PST to enter the waiting room queue. It took 20 minutes to finally enter and I was #12,834 in queue. I also dialed into their 800# to get in queue and had #3400 callers ahead of me.

At 9:30AM, the Online system Paused for 1 1/2 Hours, then finally resumed. Finally, at 4:10PM, I was able to get into the online system to actually purchase my Elk tag, license and permit. The 800# still had #1200 callers ahead of me at that time.

Overall, I was very fortunate to draw my archery elk tag, but I have no idea why Idaho cannot mimic the same system as CO, with an online application deadline, drawing and notification to follow. Seems too easy. Idaho F&G did send out an apology today, but sounds like they have no intention on changing the system in the future. Yikes!

 

[Zak]

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but people are spoiled today. Everyone wants life to be super streamlined and convenient. The way I see it is we were all able to sit comfortably in our air-conditioned rooms and take a few hours out of our day to buy a tag off the internet.

 

[BubbaEff]

I tried to join at 8:30 too and was unable to get into the queue until 8:59:15. So I did make it into the queue with 45 seconds to spare, but was definitely getting nervous that the network issues were going to prevent me from having a chance. I was #10440, but the zone I wanted to hunt sold out with 6000 people still ahead of me. I will try for a draw hunt when the time comes.

 

[KennyQuacker]

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but people are spoiled today. Everyone wants life to be super streamlined and convenient. The way I see it is we were all able to sit comfortably in our air-conditioned rooms and take a few hours out of our day to buy a tag off the internet.

Zak, I get what you are saying. My hide was just chapped, cuz I blew a day trying to get tags and my 2023 out-of-state hunt was hanging in the balance. After the experience I had, I'm totally willing to go thru the old snail mail system and wait weeks or months for the results.

The scary part is, this new Non-Res draw system was assembled, tested and run by state of Idaho, for Fish & Game Tags. Wait till the Government takes over our healthcare system. Yikes!

 

[KennyQuacker]

I tried to join at 8:30 too and was unable to get into the queue until 8:59:15. So I did make it into the queue with 45 seconds to spare, but was definitely getting nervous that the network issues were going to prevent me from having a chance. I was #10440, but the zone I wanted to hunt sold out with 6000 people still ahead of me. I will try for a draw hunt when the time comes.

So is a *Draw Hunt* still for Idaho and Non-Residents ? If so, when is that deadline ?

 

[180ls1]

Zak, I get what you are saying. My hide was just chapped, cuz I blew a day trying to get tags and my 2023 out-of-state hunt was hanging in the balance. After the experience I had, I'm totally willing to go thru the old snail mail system and wait weeks or months for the results.

The scary part is, this new Non-Res draw system was assembled, tested and run by state of Idaho, for Fish & Game Tags. Wait till the Government takes over our healthcare system. Yikes!

It's been this way for 3 years and it's been screwed up every time. My dad was double charged and sent 2 elk tags last year and had to reach out 6 times to get his refund. They should have it right by now but I am sure the blame is circular. We're in 100% agreement on the healthcare part, downright scary.

You have a few months to put in for the controlled hunts. If you bought a license already its worth a shot.

 

[HATCHET1]

I hate Idaho....Who da ho?

 

[KennyQuacker]

It's been this way for 3 years and it's been screwed up every time. My dad was double charged and sent 2 elk tags last year and had to reach out 6 times to get his refund. They should have it right by now but I am sure the blame is circular. We're in 100% agreement on the healthcare part, downright scary.

You have a few months to put in for the controlled hunts. If you bought a license already its worth a shot.

I missed the 1st year draw, but the last year it seemed ok. I drew #846 or so and pulled my tag after 2 hours maybe. But this year just blew me away how bad it was. I'll look into the Controlled Hunts. Thanks for that info.

 

[Zak]

Zak, I get what you are saying. My hide was just chapped, cuz I blew a day trying to get tags and my 2023 out-of-state hunt was hanging in the balance. After the experience I had, I'm totally willing to go thru the old snail mail system and wait weeks or months for the results.

The scary part is, this new Non-Res draw system was assembled, tested and run by state of Idaho, for Fish & Game Tags. Wait till the Government takes over our healthcare system. Yikes!

The long queue actually gave me time to do a deep dive into some of the units I was considering, then I decided to forego a tag. ID sure isn't cheap, maybe next year.

Perhaps it is a good thing to require at least some effort to apply, but I doubt that'll happen. Remember when you actually had to travel to AZ to get a hunter ed bonus point before they screwed everyone by putting it online? I guess the opportunity for revenue is too enticing.

 

[BubbaEff]

So is a *Draw Hunt* still for Idaho and Non-Residents ? If so, when is that deadline ?

Sorry for the confusion. I actually meant controlled hunt, not draw hunt. I suspect odds of success are low, but non-residents can apply. I think the timeframe for applying for controlled hunts is May, but I haven’t looked into it yet.

 

[180ls1]

Sorry for the confusion. I actually meant controlled hunt, not draw hunt. I suspect odds of success are low, but non-residents can apply. I think the timeframe for applying for controlled hunts is May, but I haven’t looked into it yet.

I believe you are right, its still a tenitive date (3rd, according to GoHunt).

Generally speaking the odds are low for any hunt that is even decent. Good odds means there is something wrong like access or similar.