The Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted to continue the current general hunts in the popular Sawtooth Elk Zone A and B tags sold on a first-come, first-served basis in 2018, but commissioners signaled a plan to change elk hunts in the zone to controlled hunts in 2019.
BIg game rules are set every two years, and the next time will be in 2019. Commissioners plan to scope plans with the public to convert Sawtooth Zone hunts to controlled hunts for the 2019 elk season. That means hunters would have to apply for those tags during the May 1 to June 5 controlled hunt application period.
The Sawtooth Zone was capped in 2009 in an attempt to revive declining elk herds in the area. Elk numbers have increased in recent years, but remain below the department’s objectives.
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(Photo source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game)