Idaho Elk & Hunting Seasons Information and Regulations, 2022 – 2023

*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.

Idaho is home to some great hunting opportunities and is known for its elk hunts. There is lots of other game to track and harvest though and you can be sure you will find

Deer Season in Idaho

White-tailed Deer	Oct. 10 – Dec. 1
Antlered Deer	Oct. 10 – Dec. 1
Antlerless Deer	Oct. 10 – Dec. 1
Mule Deer	Nov. 1 – Nov. 14*

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the deer section of the Idaho Fish and Game Department Big Game page.

Idaho hunters can pursue both white-tailed deer and mule deer and primarily on public land. The general bag limit is one deer per hunter per year. However, some controlled hunts and depredation hunts offer additional harvest. Mule deer hunting is much more controlled and very specific to permit type and location.

General Deer Season runs October 10^th through December 1^st.

Elk Season in Idaho

General Elk Season

Aug.1 – Dec. 20

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the elk section of the Idaho Fish and Game Department Big Game page.

Elk hunting in Idaho is very complex. Not only are there specific seasons based on location, each location has separate dates and regulations for methods of take. Additionally, there is an A tag and a B tag for most locations, and a hunter can only choose one location and one tag. Generally, A tags are better if you are interested in archery (but not crossbows), and B tags are better for rifles. Some areas do not have B tags available so make sure to check with Idaho Fish and Game department at the link above.

Pronghorn Season in Idaho

Controlled Pronghorn Hunt Season

Sep. 25 – Dec. 31

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the pronghorn section of the Idaho Fish and Game Department Big Game page.

In Idaho, all Pronghorn hunting is controlled, even the archery seasons. This means that there are generally limited tags (with some exceptions). Make sure to check on the Area and Units because each has specific regulations and rules to follow.

Bear Season in Idaho

Black Bear

Aug. 30 – Oct. 21, Apr. 15 – Jun. 15

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the bear section of the Idaho Fish and Game Department Big Game page.

*Note* It is illegal across the state to kill Grizzly bears unless being threatened or harmed. They are considered a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

For black bear, the spring season is quite extensive beginning in April and running through the end of June.

There is a two-bear bag limit excluding females, mothers, and their young.

Mountain Lion Season in Idaho

Mountain Lion

Aug. 30 – Jun. 30

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the mountain lion section of the Idaho Fish and Game Department Big Game page.

If planning on using hounds to hunt mountain lions in Idaho, make sure to check regulations and read up on the specific hound hunting rules in the area.

Gray Wolf Season in Idaho

Statewide Private Land	Jul. 1 – Jun. 30
Public Land	Aug. 1 – Nov. 14

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the wolf section of the Idaho Fish and Game Department Big Game page.

Wolf specifically have a pretty complicated date list that crosses both public and private lands throughout the state, so make sure to check the official season dates on the Idaho website.

Turkey Season in Idaho

Spring Youth Hunt	Apr. 8 – May 25
Spring General Hunt	Apr. 15 – May 25
Fall General Hunt	Aug. 30 – Jan. 31

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the turkey section of the Idaho Fish and Game Department upland game, furbearer and turkey page.

During the spring season the daily bag limit is two bearded turkeys. Either sex may be taken during the fall and the daily bag limit is congruent to the number of tags possessed. A hunter cannot purchase more than six tags per calendar year at $18 each.

In addition to the general hunts, there are additional controlled turkey hunts and landowner specific hunts, so be sure to check the regulations if you are looking for a harvest.

Furbearer Season in Idaho

Badger	Year Round
Beaver	Nov. 1 – Mar. 31
Bobcat	Dec. 14 – Feb. 16
Fox	Oct. 10 – Mar. 31
Marten	Nov. 1 – Jan. 31
Mink	Nov. 1 – Mar. 31
Muskrat	Nov. 1 – Mar. 31
Otter	Nov. 1 – Mar. 31

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the furbearer section of the Idaho Fish and Game Department upland game, furbearer and turkey page.

Idaho Small Game Seasons

Cottontail Rabbit	Aug. 30 – Mar. 31
Snowshoe Hare	Aug. 30 – Mar. 31
Red Squirrel	Aug. 31 – Mar. 31
Dusky Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse	Aug. 30 – Jan. 31
California and Bobwhite Quail	Sep. 16 – Jan. 31
Chukar and Gray Partridge	Sep. 17 – Jan. 31
Sharp-Tailed Grouse	Oct. 1 – Oct. 31
Pheasants	Oct. 8 – Dec. 31

*Idaho has highly specific Units that determine when you are able to hunt which animals. For a comprehensive list of details and regulations that includes location specific-dates, as well as additional useful hunt information, check out the small game sections of the Idaho Fish and Game Department upland game, furbearer and turkey page.

Crossbow Hunting in Idaho

Idaho is pretty neutral as far as crossbow regulations. The weapons are not considered kosher for archery season but pretty open outside of that.

Crossbows are legal during any season other than archery only season, just as long as you obtain your license and the proper tag.
The bolt and/or arrow must proceed nock and shaft.
Bolt or arrow and broadhead must be a combined weight of 300 grams or more.
You may NOT use a crossbow during the archery only season unless you are disabled and hold the proper certification.

Hunting Licenses in Idaho

To hunt in Idaho, you will need:

A hunting license
A tag for big-game species and turkey
If born after January 1^st, 1975 you will need to conduct a hunter’s safety course.

A hunting license is good from the date purchased through December 31^st of the same year. Idaho residents are eligible to purchase a lifetime license at any time.

Costs vary depending on age, residency, and the type of hunting you will be conducting. There are also special licensing and permits available for veterans and disabled individuals.

If you want to check out the next state on our list, click here to see Illinois.

Or, you can check out the last state on our list, Hawaii