Make sure application prices are correct for permits

By ROGER PHILLIPS

Contributing writer

To ensure applications are correctly entered, hunters applying for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat tags in April are encouraged to apply online, by phone or in person at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game offices or license vendors.

Application fees for these species have increased for both residents and nonresidents, and are not part of the resident “price lock” program.

The new application and tag fees are not reflected in the 2017-18 moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat rules booklet because it was published before the new fees were set by the Legislature.

Residents who are “price locked” will pay $183.50 to apply ($166.75 plus $16.75 application fee) for a moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat tag. To be “price locked,” a resident will need to have purchased a 2017 annual fishing, hunting or trapping license.

Residents who did not buy an annual license in 2017 will pay $216.50 to apply ($199.75 plus $16.75 application fee).

Nonresidents pay $2,143.50 to apply for a moose, sheep or mountain goat tag ($2,101.75 plus $41.75 application fee). Nonresident tags did not increase, but the application fee did.

The application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat runs from April 1-30. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than April 30. Mailed applications with incorrect payment amounts will be returned to the applicant and not entered into the drawing unless correct amounts are postmarked by the deadline.

Moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat tags are unlike other drawings for controlled hunts because applicants must include the full price of the tag with the application. Unsuccessful applicants are refunded the price of the tag, but not the application fee. Both residents and nonresidents must have a 2018 hunting license to apply for any controlled hunt tag.

Roger Phillips is employed with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.