Idaho

Rugged backcountry, steep river breaks, and classic over-the-counter elk and deer opportunities.

Idaho - The Gem State & Backcountry Wilderness Peaks

Idaho offers outstanding sportspeople opportunities, rich wildlife habitats, and extensive public land access. From trophy big game hunting to abundant upland bird coverts and waterfowl flyways, Idaho provides a premier destination for hunters of all experience levels.

Idaho Rocky Mountain Elk in Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness

Managed under strict wildlife conservation guidelines by the state department of natural resources, hunting in Idaho contributes directly to habitat preservation and healthy game populations across the state.

Idaho High Basin Mule Deer Buck on Sagebrush Crest

Top Hunting Attractions in Idaho

Discover the premier wildlife management areas, big game habitats, and renowned wingshooting regions across Idaho.

Frank Church Wilderness & Salmon River Breaks

Over 2.3 million acres of roadless backcountry wilderness, famous for pack-in horseback elk hunts, wolves, and mountain lions.

Southeast Idaho Trophy Mule Deer Mountains

Units 76, 73, and 66 producing giant mule deer bucks feeding in high snow-covered mahogany basins before migration.

Craters of the Moon & High Desert Pronghorn

Spot-and-stalk archery and rifle antelope hunts across vast BLM lava sagebrush flats and agricultural field edges.

Hells Canyon & Snake River Chukar Country

America's steepest, most demanding upland pursuit, chasing wild chukar partridge and valley quail on vertical rimrock basalt.

Hunting Benefits

Over-the-Counter Elk: OTC general elk tags for vast wilderness zones and backcountry units.

Mule Deer & Whitetail: High trophy quality for both mule deer and white-tailed deer.

Rugged Wilderness Access: Frank Church Wilderness and Selway-Bitterroot offer massive uncrowded public access.

Diverse Big Game: Hunt elk, deer, black bear, wolf, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat.

World-Class Upland Birds: Excellent chukar, Hungarian partridge, pheasant, and forest grouse hunting in steep canyons.

Hunter's Bottom Line

Summary

Idaho represents the gold standard of rugged, DIY public land Western hunting. With over 34 million acres of public land (nearly two-thirds of the state), expansive National Forests, and the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48, it is a backcountry paradise.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) allocates non-resident general elk and deer tags on a designated sale date in early December for the following season. These capped quotas regularly sell out within hours; prospective hunters must be logged in and ready when the waiting room opens.

In addition to capped general tags, Idaho conducts controlled hunt draws in May for trophy elk, mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Shiras moose, and mountain goats. Non-residents can draw tags with no bonus or preference points, meaning every applicant has an equal chance every year.

Idaho's terrain is intensely vertical. From the throat of Hells Canyon up to the Sawtooth and White Cloud peaks, physical fitness, pack-out endurance, and predator awareness (wolves, black bears, and expanding grizzly bears in northern and eastern zones) are paramount.