Fish and Game will accept applications for a 2018 grizzly bear tag starting Friday, and the deadline to apply is July 15. The drawing is limited to Idaho residents with a valid Idaho hunting license.
Hunters can apply at any Fish and Game license vendor, at Fish and Game regional offices, online at idfg.huntfishidaho.net or by mail. All mailed applications must be postmarked no later than July 15.
Applicants will pay a nonrefundable $16.75 application fee and must prepay the cost of the tag to apply, which is $199.75 for hunters not price locked (those who did not hold a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license in 2017) and $166.75 for hunters who are price locked. Tag fees will be refunded to unsuccessful applicants, but not the application fee or the cost of the license.
Resident hunters who applied for 2018 moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat, as well as other big game tags, can apply for the 2018 grizzly bear tag.
The drawing is expected to occur in early August. The successful applicant can pick up the tag at the Idaho Falls Regional Office. He or she will be given an orientation and training course on grizzly bear identification by Fish and Game staff before the hunt.
Cancellation Advisory: There is a chance this hunt may not occur due to pending litigation in federal court. If the hunt is canceled by court order prior to the drawing, applicants will not be refunded either the hunting license or application fees. The tag fee will be refunded to all applicants.
If the proposed hunt is stopped after the drawing results, the successful applicant will have the tag fee refunded, but not the hunting license or application fee.
The following rules also apply for the fall 2018 grizzly bear hunt:
- Sept. 1 to Nov. 15, 2018
- One grizzly bear, except no female grizzly bear accompanied by young may be taken, and no young grizzly bear(s) accompanied by adult grizzly bear(s) may be taken.
- Use of dogs to attract or pursue grizzly bears is prohibited.
- Hunting grizzly bears over bait is illegal.
- It is unlawful to use electronic calls to attract grizzly bears for the purpose of harvest.
