The Idaho Draw: What Changed and Where the Opportunities Are

What's up, elk hunters! This week I'm sitting down with Jayden Bales to talk about Idaho's brand new draw system—and honestly, this changes everything for how we think about western elk hunting strategy.

If you've been following along, you know Idaho just flipped the script from their old over-the-counter system to a randomized draw. No more showing up at midnight to get in line. No more refreshing your browser hoping your number gets called. It's a whole new ball game, and Jaden and I are breaking down what this means for both residents and non-residents.

We dive deep into whether Idaho is actually worth applying for, how it stacks up against other states like New Mexico and Colorado, and whether the new party application system makes this the perfect "backup tag" state. We also get into some real talk about draw strategy, why trophy quality doesn't matter as much as you think, and how to actually pick a unit that's going to make you a better elk hunter—not just feed your Instagram.

Plus, we talk about dirt bikes, the death of honey holes, why flying into the backcountry isn't always the magic solution people think it is, and whether open country glassing is officially blown out. Jaden also drops the bombshell that he's officially a Montana resident again (told you he'd be back), and we wrap up talking about whether either of us are even going to apply for Idaho this year.

This is a no-BS conversation about modern elk hunting strategy, where the opportunities actually are, and why guarding your Septembers is more important than ever. Let's get into it.

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Chapter Timestamps

• 0:00 - Intro & Sponsor Ads
• 2:15 - Idaho's New Draw System: What Changed?
• 5:30 - Are We Pissing Off Idaho Residents? (Probably)
• 8:00 - Party Applications: Game Changer or Overhyped?
• 12:45 - Where Does Idaho Rank for Elk Hunting?
• 16:00 - Draw Odds: Idaho vs. New Mexico Reality Check
• 20:30 - Should You Actually Apply? The Honest Answer
• 24:15 - Trophy Quality Doesn't Matter (Here's Why)
• 28:00 - The Panhandle, Frank Church & Hard-to-Hunt Units
• 32:30 - Becoming a Better Elk Hunter: At-Bats Over Inches
• 36:45 - Dirt Bikes, Four-Wheelers & the Access Advantage
• 40:00 - Why Honey Holes Die (Stop Being Married to Spots)
• 44:15 - Fly-In & Jet Boat Hunts: Adventure vs. Success
• 48:30 - Open Country is Blown Out (What's Next?)
• 52:00 - Are We Even Applying? The Hypocrite Dilemma
• 55:30 - Jaden Moves to Montana & Guarding September

Three Key Takeaways

1. Optimize for At-Bats, Not Trophy Quality - When picking an Idaho unit, stop filtering for the biggest bulls. The difference between a 270" bull and a 300" bull isn't worth sacrificing opportunities. Ten chances at 260" bulls will make you a better hunter than one chance at a 300" bull. Focus on elk density, huntable terrain, and getting as many encounters as possible to actually improve your skills.
2. Assets Matter More Than Effort in Idaho - Idaho is one of those states where you almost need a dirt bike, ATV, or side-by-side to hunt successfully. The terrain beats up trucks, trails go deep, and most successful hunters are mobile. If you're planning to just park at a trailhead and hike, you're going to be severely limited. Build your hunt strategy around the tools you have access to—whether that's motorized access or focusing on lower-elevation glassing country.
3. Party Applications Change Everything for Draw Strategy - With Idaho's new party application system, it's now the perfect "backup tag" state for groups who hunt together. Unlike Colorado (where point differences screw you) or other states with complex systems, Idaho lets you draw as a group with zero upfront cost beyond the license. This makes it ideal for having an elk tag in your pocket early in the draw season, which completely changes how you approach applying for other premium tags.