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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
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
planning
Idaho Nonresident Deer and Elk Tags: The New Draw System
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Idaho Pronghorn Draw Odds: Best Units and Application Strategy
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Drop Camp Elk Hunting: What It Is, What It Costs, and Whether It's Right for You
methods
Idaho Archery Elk: OTC Tags, Frank Church Wilderness, and September Bulls
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Idaho Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds: Rocky Mountain and California Bighorn
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