Idaho Hunting Guide 2026
Complete Idaho hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
Draw Application Deadlines
| Species | Type | Opens | Deadline | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk (Controlled) | Primary Draw | Apr 1 | Jun 5 | Late Jun |
| Deer (Controlled) | Primary Draw | Apr 1 | Jun 5 | Late Jun |
| Moose | Primary Draw | Apr 1 | Jun 5 | Late Jun |
| Mountain Goat | Primary Draw | Apr 1 | Jun 5 | Late Jun |
| Bighorn Sheep | Primary Draw | Apr 1 | Jun 5 | Late Jun |
Idaho Hunting Seasons
Elk
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Aug 30 | Sep 27 |
| Rifle | Oct 10 | Nov 10 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 10 | Dec 20 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
General season tags available over the counter in some zones. Controlled hunts by draw in premium units. Idaho has excellent elk hunting with vast public land.
Mule Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Aug 30 | Sep 27 |
| Rifle | Oct 10 | Oct 31 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 10 | Dec 20 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
General tags for mule deer bucks. Controlled hunts for antlerless and some premium zones. Whitetail deer also available in northern Idaho.
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 10 | Nov 20 |
| Archery | Aug 30 | Sep 27 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (general tag + additional in some units)
Primarily in northern Idaho Panhandle region. General tag over the counter. Liberal antlerless harvest in many units.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Apr 15 | May 31 |
| Archery | Apr 15 | May 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring), 2 (fall)
Merriam's and Rio Grande turkeys. Spring and fall seasons. Over-the-counter tags. Growing populations.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Apr 15 | Jun 30 |
| Archery | Aug 30 | Sep 27 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1-2 depending on zone
Spring and fall seasons available. Baiting and dogs allowed in some units. Healthy black bear population throughout forested areas.
Moose
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 1 | Nov 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Controlled hunt only with limited permits. Shiras moose. Very competitive draw. Mostly in eastern Idaho and Panhandle region.
Mountain Goat
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime
Once-in-a-lifetime draw. Extremely limited tags.
Bighorn Sheep
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime (most states)
Extremely limited tags. Once-in-a-lifetime draw.
Mountain Lion
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter | Nov 1 | Mar 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per year
Hound hunting legal in most western states. Quotas apply.
Planning Tools
- Idaho Draw Odds by Unit — success rates for every limited-entry hunt
- Idaho Hunt Unit Guides — terrain, tactics, access, and logistics by unit
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
Idaho Hunting Guides
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Idaho Pronghorn Draw Odds: Best Units and Application Strategy
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Idaho Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds: Rocky Mountain and California Bighorn
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Idaho Archery Elk: OTC Tags, Frank Church Wilderness, and September Bulls
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Idaho Bighorn Sheep: Draw Odds, Rocky Mountain Ram Quality, and the Clearwater Sheep Hunt
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