Idaho
Rugged backcountry, steep river breaks, and classic over-the-counter elk and deer opportunities.
Weapons & Regulations in Idaho
Official Regulatory Authority
Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG)
Centerfire Rifle
Centerfire rifles firing expanding soft-point or composite-tip bullets. No statutory minimum caliber for deer, but IDFG recommends .243 Win+ for deer/antelope and .270 Win to .300 Win Mag for Rocky Mountain elk and Shiras moose. Fully automatic firearms, military surplus full-metal-jacket (FMJ) bullets, and incendiary/tracer rounds are strictly prohibited. Suppressors are legal.
Muzzleloader
Single-barrel muzzleloaders. Minimum .45 caliber for deer/pronghorn; minimum .50 caliber for elk and moose. During dedicated 'traditional' muzzleloader seasons, strict primitive rules apply: pivoting open sights only (no scopes or fiber optics), loose black powder or Pyrodex only (no pelletized powder), 100% lead bullets only (no sabots or jacketed bullets), and exposed percussion caps or flintlocks (no 209 primers).
Archery (Vertical Bow)
Recurve, longbow, and compound bows. Minimum 40 lb draw weight for big game. Minimum arrow weight of 300 grains including broadhead. Broadheads must have minimum 7/8-inch cutting width. Mechanical expanding broadheads are legal. Electronics attached to bows (such as digital sight reticles, cameras with rangefinders) are strictly illegal during archery seasons.
Crossbows
Legal during any general firearm season. Crossbows are prohibited during archery-only hunts unless the hunter possesses a certified Idaho Disabled Archery Permit. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 150 lbs, bolts at least 16 inches long, and broadheads with at least two cutting edges measuring 7/8 inch across.
Handguns
Centerfire handguns firing expanding bullets are legal for all big game species. Minimum .24 caliber for deer/pronghorn; minimum .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, or .454 Casull recommended for elk and black bear. Handguns are legal for sidearm carry for self-defense while archery hunting without voiding archery privileges.
Shotgun
10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns firing slugs are legal for big game in designated short-range weapons hunting areas. Buckshot is illegal for big game. Shotguns plugged to a 3-shell capacity with non-toxic shot required for all waterfowl hunting across Snake River and panhandle flyways.