Big game hunters who were successful in drawing controlled hunt tags for deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear have until 11 p.m. PDT, Saturday, Aug. 1 to buy their tags.

Hunters were once able to wait to purchase their Idaho controlled hunt tag on the day they planned to hunt. Do not try that this year. If you do, the tag won't be there!

Several years ago, a hunter who did not draw a tag in the annual drawing noticed in a harvest summary report that some tags for great hunts were drawn but never purchased. A few of the lucky individuals whose names had been drawn must have changed their plans, so they never purchased the tag. Others may not have noticed the post card they received in the mail notifying them that they had successfully drawn a tag. Popular tags went unsold even though people had applied for and drawn them.

The hunter suggested that the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set a deadline date for the purchase of controlled hunt tags. He suggested there be a second drawing for tags not purchased by the deadline.

The Commission responded. The date of Aug. 1 was established as a deadline for successful applicants to purchase tags.

Post cards are mailed to the address provided by successful applicants. News release reminders tell people to purchase their tags by Aug. 1. The IDFG website posts articles about the deadline. However, it is the individual applicant's responsibility to check online or watch for a postcard to see if they were drawn for a tag.

Parents: if your youngster drew a tag, remember to buy it now! Your kids probably didn't check online to see if they drew.

Big game hunters who were drawn in controlled hunt drawings for deer, elk, antelope and bear hunts have only until Aug. 1 to purchase their tags. Any tags not purchased by that date will be forfeited.

Tags may be purchased at any Fish and Game office, any license vendor, by telephone (800-554-8685), or online.

Between Aug. 2 and Aug. 4, IDFG will compile a list of forfeited tags. A second drawing will be held to award the forfeited tags. The application period for this second drawing runs from Aug. 5 to 15. The drawing will be held around Aug. 20. Any tags left after that drawing will go on sale over the counter on Aug. 25.

A small number of controlled hunts have very early start dates. If there are tags available for the very early hunts (some open Aug. 1), they may be sold over the counter on or around Aug. 6. A list of early leftover (or unclaimed) tags will be published on the IDFG website prior to the sale date.

Phil Cooper is a wildlife conservation educator with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.