2026 Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook

OVERVIEW

Deer and elk hunters, you know the drill.

Each year, Idaho Fish and Game brings you the annual Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook, a must-read, handy guide that lays out everything — and I mean everything — hunters need and should want to know about deer and elk trends leading up to the fall opener.

The more you read, the better understanding you’ll have of this year’s deer and elk season. But for all you headline skimmers out there, the biggest theme in this year’s outlook is best exemplified in the words of Idaho Fish and Game Deer and Elk Coordinator, Toby Boudreau.

“Highly promising.”

What determines a highly promising season? A lot of factors, but none more so than a mild winter. And for those counting, this will be our third in a row.

“Overwinter survival was better than average,” Boudreau said. “And when you have better-than-average overwinter survival, it means earlier antler growth, heavier fawns and calves, and more robust herds.”

Most Westerners will be quick to point out that a winter that brings little to no precipitation equals a summer that could bring wildfires — and they’d be correct. Wildfires will certainly play a role in this year’s forecast (more on that later), but remember that the single biggest factor that determines deer and elk survival heading into fall is how they navigate the previous winter, and last year’s winter could pay off immensely for herd numbers this fall.

Statewide, 83% of collared mule deer fawns and 95% of collared elk calves survived the 2025-2026 winter. Considering, on average, roughly 57% of collared fawns survive winter, that’s huge. Mule deer does, the fawn-making factories, accounted for 95% survival last winter thanks to ample nutrition and mild conditions.

How about whitetails, though?

The headlines preceding last year’s white-tailed deer season were once again concerned with three ominous letters: E-H-D.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease once again reared its ugly head in August 2025. By Oct. 27, biologists had received reports of roughly 1,080 white-tailed deer mortalities in the Clearwater Region and 386 in the Panhandle Region most likely caused by EHD. About 72% of the Clearwater's reports came from Units 8 and 8A, and approximately 18% came from Units 11A and 14. In other units only a handful of suspected cases were reported.

Estimating how many deer die during an EHD outbreak is extremely difficult. However, based on the number of reports, the 2025 outbreak appeared similar in severity to the 2021 event, though centered in a different part of the region. 

Despite last year’s outbreak, Fish and Game stuck by the science and did not recommended altering current deer seasons. White-tailed deer populations in the Clearwater Region remain strong overall, and while EHD has caused localized losses, deer numbers across much of the region remain robust and well above conservation concern.

Final note worth mentioning on whitetails: The publication of this outlook makes it difficult to time just where (or if) EHD will make an appearance in the early days of fall. Biologists are currently monitoring white-tailed deer populations for signs of EHD and will continue to do so even after this deer and elk hunting outlook hits the streets. If any clues do begin to indicate another EHD outbreak, that news will be released separately and at a later date.

LAST YEAR’S HARVEST

We’ll kick off last year’s harvest summary with the one species that didn’t see an increase from the previous year: whitetails.

White-tailed deer harvest typically hovers around the 22,000 mark, and last year’s harvest wasn’t too far off from that. Hunters still have room for celebration, as the year’s harvest could’ve looked a lot different — but more on that in a bit. 

Last year’s 19,702 whitetail harvest still sits right in line with the 10-year average, which despite a handful of EHD outbreaks during the past decade, still continue to flourish. Despite slipping a bit from the 2024 hunter harvest, last fall’s harvest has Fish and Game biologists nodding their heads with optimism as we round out the final weeks of summer and approach this year’s hunting season.

Mule deer (or, technically speaking, mule deer hunters) are the biggest winners from the 2025 fall season. Harvest of muleys jumped 2.8% from 2024 — or put another way, 691 more animals during this past year’s harvest. That’s worth noting, considering some mule deer populations had a rough go of it during the winter of ’22 and ’23. 

Fortunately for them, the past few Idaho winters have been some of the mildest in recent years, including this past winter, which was Club Med for mule deer herds. 

Finally, on to elk. 

Elk hunters also had a successful fall, accounting for a 2.4% increase (or 509 animals) from 2024. As we’ve covered every year in these annual reports, elk don’t feel the impact of weather nearly as bad as their long-eared or white-tailed cousins.

Last year’s harvest landed at 101% of the 10-year average (21,249), which makes it about as close to a “normal” harvest as you can get with fluctuating annual harvests.

ELK HUNTING

Overwinter survival and collar data concluded in May, indicating that Idaho’s elk were heading into summer in outstanding condition. Remember that every year Fish and Game wildlife biologists collar and track deer and elk survival throughout the winter, paying especially close attention to that data in April and May when the animals are at the end of their rope nutrition-wise.

Like previously mentioned with mule deer winter survival, elk exiting the winter in solid shape means bigger, healthier herds heading into the fall. Likewise, antler growth also gets a jumpstart on the year, which is good news if you’re a rutting elk — and an elk hunter. 

“Fawns and calves that come out of winter weighing more than average is a great sign that herds will grow in the remainder of the year,” Boudreau said. 

Because of this, biologists are optimistic that this could be a higher-than-average year for elk hunting. But there’s a caveat. 

While the number of elk on the landscape looks quite promising, the status of the landscape itself could play a role in their distribution. You don’t have to be Nostradamus to see that this has been one of the hottest, driest summers on record. With fires already taking full advantage of those conditions, hunters might have to work a little harder to locate their elk. 

In years past, fall moisture has noticeably played a role in elk distribution. Recall that head-scratcher season of ’23? That’s exactly what can (and could) happen if September and October see rain (or snow), causing higher elevations to green up. When that happens, the elk have all the groceries they need at those higher elevations and become more challenging to locate down lower.

But, weather aside, look forward to another average to above-average season in the mountains chasing after Rocky Mountain elk. They will be there — just maybe not where you’ve seen them in the past.

Last year’s numbers

• Total elk harvest in 2025: 21,505
• 2024 harvest total: 20,996
• Overall hunter success rate: 23%
• Antlered: 13,263
• Antlerless: 8,242
• Taken during general hunts: 13,524 (18% success rate)
• Taken during controlled hunts: 7,981 (40% success rate)

MULE DEER HUNTING

Mule deer populations continue to head in the right direction, figuratively speaking. 

It has been three and a half years since eastern Idaho’s mule deer populations were rocked by one of the most catastrophic winters on record, and during that time, we have witnessed consecutive mild winters — a magical potion if you’re an Idaho muley.

As biologists have pointed out countless times before, mule deer need mild conditions to get through winters in good shape and — more importantly — rebuild. One of the best indicators of mule deer health is fawn weight heading into and out of winter. And this year, Boudreau argues, has demonstrated some incredibly high fawn weights. 

Over the last four years, collared mule deer fawns’ weights have increased roughly 10.6% in males and 12% for females. (Remember, those weights are collected in December and January when biologists trap and collar fawns and does to monitor throughout the winter and spring.)

Heading into 2026, male mule deer fawns weighed an average of 85.5 pounds, and females weighed an average of 77.9 pounds.

“Healthy fawn crop that survived winter means more young antlered bucks that will be sporting spikes, forked-horn antlers, and a small percentage will be three-points. Those young bucks represent a large portion of the annual buck harvest, so it’s likely hunters will see an uptick in the fall harvest,” Boudreau said. 

Seeing numbers like 83% of statewide collared mule deer fawns surviving this past winter is a huge gold star on this year’s deer hunting forecast. Not to overstate the obvious, but more deer in the fields and woods means better chances for a higher harvest. And things get better because consecutive normal winters also mean more bucks are likely reaching maturity, so there may be more larger bucks available.

Like with any season, folks should monitor weather as we get further into September and deep into October. Early snows tend to push muleys around and down into lower elevations sooner than elk, so closely follow the weather forecasts when planning your hunt. 

Last year’s numbers

• Total mule deer harvest in 2025: 24,588
• 2024 harvest total: 23,898
• Overall hunter success rate: 32%
• Antlered: 21,539
• Antlerless: 3,050
• Taken during general hunts: 18,655 (28% success rate)
• Taken during controlled hunts: 5,933 (52% success rate)

WHITE-TAILED DEER HUNTING

At the time of writing this forecast, the three ugliest letters in the white-tailed deer world have yet to appear. Biologists continue to monitor for EHD, which proved to be a factor in last year’s hunting season in the Panhandle and Clearwater regions (most notably in Units 8, 8A, and portions of Units 11A and 14).

Last year’s EHD outbreak popped up in late July and August, which accounted for a slight dip in overall harvest; however, statewide harvest held steady, which was to be expected. 

So, what can hunters expect this year? 

So far, EHD has not popped up and herd numbers continue to be strong. While it may take a year or two for those previously mentioned units to build back herd numbers, Idaho’s whitetails as a whole are doing just fine based on the seasonal conditions mentioned already with elk and mule deer. 

White-tailed deer populations typically fare very well in Idaho. They are arguably the most adaptable species and are able to bounce back quicker than mule deer. 

“Hunters can anticipate a good whitetail hunt this year,” Boudreau said. 

Tooth and consequences

Last thing worth mentioning here. Back in 2023, Fish and Game wildlife biologists began a comprehensive tooth collection project (that’s deer teeth) to help determine the age structure of white-tailed deer in a few north Idaho hunting units.

Teeth collected from whitetails — specifically the front teeth — are sent to a lab and aged to determine a range of how old or young harvested deer are, and by extension, the age structure of the rest of the deer out there on the landscape. 

Additionally, in 2024 and 2025, biologists asked hunters to measure the circumference of buck antlers harvested that season.

The 1,100 white-tailed deer teeth collected in the project’s inaugural year combined with last season’s 1,229 teeth and 472 antler measurements have helped our biologists measure a wider spread of ages among deer than previously thought.

“It was originally thought that buck ages were down, or in other words, we were seeing more younger bucks out there in the field,” Boudreau said. “But thanks to our tooth data and the hunters who submitted those teeth, the data shows there’s actually quite a bigger spread of buck ages from 1.5 to 15.5 years old in the harvest.”

Our biologists are once again looking for white-tailed deer tooth submissions during the 2026 hunting season. For more information, check out this article or contact the Panhandle and Clearwater regional offices. 

Last year’s numbers

• Total white-tailed deer harvest in 2025: 19,702
• 2024 harvest total: 20,908
• Overall hunter success rate: 38%
• Antlered: 13,302
• Antlerless: 6,400
• Taken during general hunts: 18,237 (37% success rate)
• Taken during controlled hunts: 1,465 (40% success rate)

WILDFIRE INFORMATION

This year’s hunting outlook wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the impact of wildfires. 

As wildfire activity continues across Idaho, hunters preparing for upcoming seasons should be aware of potential impacts to their hunting areas and know what options are available if a fire affects their hunt.

In most cases, Fish and Game will not close an entire hunt or change a season because of a temporary wildfire closure. Most wildfires do not affect an entire hunt unit, elk zone, or controlled hunt area for the entire duration of a hunt. 

It’s understandable that hunters want to maximize their hunt opportunity. It’s that one sliver of the year circled red on the calendar. From pretty much the conclusion of the previous season, you’ve been dropping pins, scouring maps, and dialing in gear aimed at getting after it the following hunting season. 

But one thunderous day in summer can suddenly throw a wrench in those plans, leaving hunters feeling frustrated and uncertain about their hunt plans. 

Fortunately, hunters do have a few options, including hitting another part of the hunt area or hunting later in the season. If you find yourself frantically picking up the pieces of a fire-impacted hunt, read our Fire and Fall Hunting Guide article on our website.

Hunters can also see current fire closures and restrictions on InciWeb.wildfire.gov. 

NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2026, rules related to eligibility for license and tag refunds and rainchecks have changed. Please visit our refund webpage for more information.

CWD INFORMATION

Hunters in 2026 will have a mandatory testing requirement for chronic wasting disease for deer in seven hunting units, including the addition of Units 64 and 69 near Idaho Falls. 

After two consecutive years of no CWD detections, Units 24 and 32A were removed from mandatory testing requirements. Testing is still required in Unit 23 where a mule deer buck tested positive in fall 2023.

CWD Management Zones: Units 14, 18, and a portion of Unit 1

Currently, Units 14, 18, and a portion of Unit 1 comprise CWD Management Zones for 2026. In addition to mandatory CWD testing of all harvested deer in those units, the following rules apply:

• It is unlawful to transport any whole carcass of a deer, elk, or moose out of a CWD Management Zone, with exceptions for heads or lymph nodes transported to Fish and Game for CWD sampling and meat. Antlers or skull caps may be retained after sampling by Fish and Game staff, but the remainder of the head will remain for proper disposal. For details and full rules, go the CWD webpage.
• Heads should remain in the field if lymph nodes are removed for delivery to Fish and Game for CWD testing.
• Caped animals (with the skull) may be taken to a taxidermist or meat processor, but may not leave a CWD Management Zone and must still be presented to Fish and Game staff for sampling.
• Heads or lymph nodes must be submitted for testing within 10 days of harvest.
• If hunters, or those who salvage an animal, retain the quarters, they should double-bag all bones and non-edible portions of the animal and dispose of them in a landfill when finished processing the meat.

Mandatory testing (deer only): Units 23, 63A, 64, and 69

Outside of the CWD Management Zones, Units 23, 63A, 64, and 69 have mandatory testing requirements for deer only, and there are no carcass transport restrictions. Hunters who harvest in these units must submit a head or lymph node sample within 10 days of harvesting.

Hunters have several options for submitting CWD samples, including Fish and Game regional offices, check stations, sampling sites, and remote collection sites such as freezers and head barrels.

Voluntary testing from all other units

Outside of CWD Management Zone and mandatory testing units, Fish and Game welcomes any deer and elk samples taken in any other unit in the state.

Hunters can collect a lymph node sample and submit it to any IDFG regional office, check station, or designated drop-off location. Staff is also available to assist hunters with sampling.

• Request a sample kit
• How to collect a lymph node sample
• Sample drop-off locations
• IDFG regional offices

To see a full write-up covering everything about this year's CWD information, check out this article or visit our CWD webpage. 

MANDATORY HUNTER REPORTS

Reminder for all big game tag holders: Hunters must complete a Mandatory Hunter Report within 10 days of harvest. If you did not hunt or did not harvest (deer, elk, and pronghorn only), you must submit your report within 10 days after your hunting season closes for each tag purchased.

Mandatory Hunter Reports provide critical hunt and harvest information to wildlife managers to maximize and sustain healthy herds. Help us collect this vital information and conserve your hunting, fishing, and trapping dollars. 

For reporting requirements, FAQs, and access to online reporting, visit Fish and Game's Mandatory Hunter Report webpage.

HERE’S A DETAILED DEER AND ELK OUTLOOK FOR EACH REGION

Elk

The outlook for the 2026 season is generally consistent with last fall, with Units 1, 4, and 6 continuing to rank among the state’s top elk units and offering the potential for another productive fall season. Winter in the Panhandle ended quickly with an earlier-than-normal spring accelerating snowmelt at lower elevations and promoting an early green-up in the mountains. 

However, relatively dry spring conditions resulted in forage drying out by July, which may have limited forage availability later in the summer. Lack of moisture and dry conditions may impact elk distribution around the region.

White-tailed Deer

The Panhandle continues to provide abundant and diverse hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer, and hunters can expect another promising season. Regional white-tailed deer populations are recovering from an EHD outbreak in 2025 that caused declines in some local populations. Despite the EHD outbreak, 2025 harvest estimates remained relatively stable. Staff expect the 2026 harvest to be comparable to past seasons and expect slight upticks in the trajectory of harvest metrics as herds recover over the next several years. Mild winter conditions in recent years have likely contributed to high overwinter survival of both adult deer and fawns, but current dry conditions this summer may have an impact on forage quality. 

Mule Deer

Hunters should expect conditions similar to recent seasons. Antlered mule deer harvest and hunter success have continued to improve in recent years, which is encouraging. Large fires throughout the region over the past 10 years should be improving mule deer habitats and benefitting local populations in those areas. Although mild winters have also generally benefited mule deer by promoting high overwinter survival, past drought-like conditions experienced in 2025 and again this year have been less favorable. With forage likely to decline earlier than normal, deer may concentrate in smaller pockets of more productive habitat as the hunting season progresses, potentially affecting distribution and hunter success.

Note: Please remember to be sure of your target this fall as you are deer hunting, as antlerless mule deer harvest is prohibited.

What hunters should be aware of this fall

Panhandle Elk Zone B Tag Rifle Hunters: Beginning last year (2025), the three-day rifle cow season Oct. 15-17 has been removed. Be sure to plan your hunt accordingly — no cow harvest is allowed during this time.

Fish and Game is collecting CWD samples across the region. CWD testing is mandatory for all deer harvested in a portion of Unit 1, referred to as the CWD Management Zone. In addition, whole carcasses cannot be transported outside of the CWD Management Zone.

Fish and Game encourages all hunters participating in deer or elk hunts in the Panhandle to have their harvested animal tested. Hunters can submit CWD samples or deposit heads from harvested animals at drop-off locations around the region.

In the Panhandle, grizzly bears are mostly found in Unit 1, but have been infrequently documented in Units 2, 3, 4, 4A, 6, 7, and 9. Black bears are common throughout the region. Hunters across the Panhandle should remain vigilant in their bear awareness and identification skills as they are out and about in the woods.

Hunters are also asked to observe all off-road and on-road travel restrictions and check for and abide by fire restrictions in their hunting area. Information concerning access and motorized vehicle restrictions on many of the region’s industrial forests can be found on Fish and Game’s website on the Large Tracts Program page. 

Hunters in Units 3, 4, 5 and 6 should be aware of land ownership changes affecting the Large Tracts Program and hunter access. For more on this topic, please review the press releases describing the transfers of nearly 30,000 acres and 12,750 acres.

– Micah Ellstrom, Regional Wildlife Manager & Kenny Randall, Regional Wildlife Biologist

Elk

Within the Elk City Zone, Unit 14 continues to support strong elk populations and in higher densities than Units 15 and 16, leading to Unit 14 having higher hunter participation and harvest. The Palouse and Dworshak elk zones allow for good elk hunting opportunities as well. Elk survival rates in the Dworshak zone from radio-marked animals continue to be high, indicating potential population increases.

Archery elk harvest across the Dworshak, Lolo, and Palouse zones have increased in recent years, even with lower hunter participation numbers. For folks who are willing to brave warmer temperatures, this is a good opportunity to chase elk with a bow. 

The Lolo and Selway zones continue to have moderate to low elk densities compared to the other elk zones in the region but provide back-country opportunities for those who wish to get away from roads and civilization. The Hells Canyon zone still supports moderate to high densities of elk, depending on unit and location. Units 11 and 18 provide good controlled tag opportunities for publicly accessible elk. Recent winters have been mild, which has led to high natural survival in adults and calves.

As a reminder, the upcoming season is the second season with large-scale changes in the Dworshak Elk Zone, so if you plan to hunt this zone, please make sure to check the regulations for those changes.

Mule Deer

Mule deer in the Clearwater region are found in the highest densities along the Snake and Salmon river breaks; however, they are present throughout the region in moderate to low densities. Hunters who hold regular deer tags can find mule deer in Units 8, 8A, 10A, and 15 without having to travel to backcountry units. Hunters can find decent mule deer hunting in the backcountry units of 16A, 17, 19, and 20. However, please note that these are rugged areas and will require a high level of effort.

Units 11, 13, 14, and 18 provide good opportunities through controlled tags, however hunters are encouraged to review the current CWD regulations for Units 14 and 18 prior to planning a trip to these units.

White-tailed Deer

The Clearwater region has high densities of white-tailed deer throughout much of the region, leading to high harvest and hunter success rates. Harvest continues to show strong numbers of bucks harvested and specifically the proportion of bucks producing five or more points on one antler. 

During late summer and early fall of 2025, there was an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease which was most pronounced in the surrounding area of Deary. High mortality occurred in this area leading to localized population reductions. The most severe impacts occurred in Units 8 and 8A, which hunters noted throughout the 2025 hunting season. 

Although hunter participation in the area declined, hunter success remained relatively high. This year, field staff have seen deer in the areas that had higher levels of mortality from EHD last year. It may take white-tailed deer populations 3-5 years to recover to prior levels, assuming habitat conditions are favorable, winters continue to be mild, and no additional EHD outbreaks occur.

Idaho Fish and Game will continue collecting teeth from harvested white-tailed deer in Units 10A, 14, and 18 to help inform the department of age structures within populations.

What hunters should be aware of this fall

Hunters who harvest both white-tailed or mule deer in GMUs 14 and 18 are mandated to provide a CWD sample. Whole carcasses of deer and elk harvested within GMUs 14 and 18 may not leave the CWD management zone. Hunters are encouraged to read and review the CWD Management Zone regulations for both testing and transport prior to going out in the field. Chronic Wasting Disease sampling is highly encouraged across the region for deer and elk, especially in areas surrounding GMUs where it has been found and comes at no cost to hunters. It has been a very dry year in the Clearwater Region, so hunters should be monitoring active fires and taking precautions out in the field to minimize starting fires. Hunters should also be mindful of rapidly changing conditions throughout the fall. Hunters utilizing private timber company land are reminded to review and abide by current access rules and road closures. 

– Jana Ashling, Regional Wildlife Manager & Luke Benzinger, Regional Wildlife Biologist

McCall Subregion

Elk 

Elk herds remain at/or above objectives in most of the region, except for the Middle Fork Zone, which is still below objectives. Wildlife staff surveyed the Weiser River and Brownlee zones during January 2025. Elk numbers in both those zones were well above management objectives, leading to several hunting season changes. The quota was removed from the Weiser River Zone B tag, and general hunting opportunity was added on a Brownlee B tag. Controlled hunts for both youth and adults were added in Brownlee and Weiser River units. 

It is important to note that elk in both the Brownlee and Weiser zones can be challenging to hunt in areas with a mix of private and public lands, as elk will often seek refuge on private lands with limited hunting access. The Tartar Fire in Unit 31 likely pushed additional elk onto private lands in the Brownlee Zone this year. Hunters are reminded to secure permission before hunting on private lands, and to be respectful of working ranches and fire recovery efforts. 

Deer

Deer populations in Units 22, 32, and 32A are likely beginning to recover after the effects of several large fires (Lava, Paddock, and Limepoint) that occurred during summer 2024. Those fires impacted both summer and winter range, and likely led to lower than average fawn survival during the winter following the fire. 

However, mild winters have likely helped offset some of the fire impacts, and we expect to see deer populations beginning to rebound. If conditions allow, our staff is planning an aerial survey of these units this winter. 

Like elk, deer in Unit 31 were also impacted by the Tartar Fire. Fire impacts to habitat may result in changes to deer distribution during this hunting season, but will also likely result in poor survival this winter, as food resources are limited. White-tailed deer herds are stable to slightly increasing across the region, with the highest densities occurring in the northern units, such as Units 23 and 24.

Hunters pursuing mule deer on the regular deer tag are reminded that youth are restricted to harvesting antlered deer only in Units 23, 31, and 32A. 

What hunters should be aware of this fall 

Following two consecutive years of no CWD detections, the Fish and Game Commission removed the mandatory CWD testing requirement in Units 24 and 32A this year. CWD testing is still mandatory in Unit 23, where a mule deer buck tested positive in fall 2023. 

Unit 23 is not within the CWD Management Zone, so carcass transportation restrictions do not apply. Hunters have several options for submitting CWD samples, including check stations, sampling sites, and remote collection sites such as freezers and head barrels. 

As of late August, a portion of Unit 31 is still closed due to the Tartar Fire. It has already been a very active fire season in Southwest Idaho, and the season isn’t over yet. Conditions can change quickly, and new fire starts are possible before hunting seasons kick off. Hunters are reminded to check current fire conditions and closures in their hunt areas before heading out into the field. 

– Regan Berkley, Regional Wildlife Manager

Nampa Subregion

Elk

The Boise River Zone was last surveyed in 2021, which showed that both cows and bulls were exceeding population objectives. Starting in 2023, the season for the Boise River B Tag was extended to begin earlier on Oct. 27. The added days have not changed any individual hunter's odds of harvesting with success remaining consistent in the last three seasons. What the extension did was bring more hunters. Tag numbers have been highest in recent history, and antlered harvest has followed.

Unit 38 was added to the Boise River B tag in 2025 to address ongoing depredations and remains part of that tag this season. Hunters who have not read the B tag description since then should take note. Unit 38 has little suitable elk habitat and nearly all elk are on agricultural private lands. Hunters should not consider this hunt unless they have secured private lands permissions before heading into the field. A dry summer is likely to hold elk on irrigated ground longer this year.

The Sawtooth Zone was last surveyed in 2023. Estimates of overwintering bulls showed a decline, while cow numbers increased when compared to the previous survey in 2017. However, it is important to remember that much of the huntable population migrates into the Sawtooth Zone in the spring.

Over five years prior to the Anderson and Wapiti Complex Fires, regional staff tracked a small decline in general season success. However, hunters that waited out the fires during the 2024 season experienced a noticeable jump in success. It was likely that the large fires had displaced elk from their usual hiding spots making them more available to hunters. The 2025 hunt season saw lower harvest success than the 2024 season, but higher success than the pre-fire years. Sawtooth Zone elk hunters should expect to have similar experiences this fall.

Elk hunting in the Owyhee Zone, which is limited to controlled hunts, will continue to offer hunters excellent chances to harvest mature bulls this fall. These herds are stable and/or growing, which allows for controlled hunt antlerless opportunities in the zone aimed at slowing population growth. The Big Grass Fire has likely displaced elk in portions of Units 40 and 42 that were within and near the fire perimeter but a lot of area remains for hunters to access during the upcoming seasons.

Mule Deer

With generous over-the-counter tags, any-weapon harvest seasons, and its proximity to Idaho's most populated area, Unit 39 is the state's most popular unit for mule deer hunters. Since the hard winter of 2016-17, the herd has followed a pattern of fawns entering winter in poor body condition and intermittent harsh winters driving mass mortalities. 

The winter of 2025-26 broke that pattern, with mild conditions and collared fawn survival in Unit 39 of 89% through May, compared to 83% statewide. The risk this year sits at the other end of the calendar, in an early, well below normal snowpack and dry summer range. Snowpack peaked early and well below normal across the Boise River drainage and summer range has been dry, which is the condition that has historically sent fawns into winter in poor shape.

The most recent abundance survey — completed in the winter of 2024-25 — reflected the pattern of poor recruitment. Compared to the previous abundance survey in 2018, the estimated population of mule deer wintering in Unit 39 had declined. 

The composition survey flown in December 2025 counted 1,167 deer and returned 12 bucks and 60 fawns per 100 does, both below the previous winter. Those flights were conducted in unseasonably warm conditions with deer still in the highest elevation bands, so the ratios are likely conservative. Unlike last year, the fawns counted in December should largely carry through to fall as the area saw higher than average overwinter fawn survival. This means hunters in the field will likely encounter more yearling bucks than they have in recent hunting seasons.

Mule deer in the southern portion of the Central Mountains (Units 33, 34, and 35) have experienced steady recovery since the winter of 2016-17, with multiple years of increasing buck-to-doe ratios observed during aerial flights through the winter of 2024-25, when the composition survey returned the highest antlered deer and fawn-to-doe ratios since 2016-17. These units were not flown this past winter, so the most recent composition data remains from that survey. Hunters should expect slightly more mature bucks at low densities and a hunting experience similar to recent years.

The general season mule deer hunting opportunity in the Owyhee units is limited to bucks that are two points or less on at least one side (2-point bucks). As a result, most harvested deer are yearlings. Hunters should have experiences similar to recent years during the general season as the Owyhee units had low snow year which typically means higher overwinter survival for fawns when compared to high snowpack years. In the late season, hunters in controlled hunts should expect to see mature bucks at low densities, but still have a quality desert hunting experience. There may be localized impacts to deer habitat in and around the areas of the Big Grass Fire in Units 40 and 42. Hunters that plan to hunt in areas within and around the fire perimeter should be courteous to landowners and land management agency personnel who will be actively working on infrastructure repairs and habitat rehabilitation efforts.

What hunters should be aware of this fall  

Hunters should be aware that the southwest region has had two of the largest fires in Idaho this fire season with still a majority of the fire season to go during a low water year. There will be extensive burn scars in Units 40, 41, and 42 following the Big Grass Fire. 

Hunters may feel localized crowding in some areas if avoiding these burn scars but there is still a lot of huntable and accessible lands for hunters to enjoy. Please be courteous to landowners and land management personnel that are working on infrastructure repairs and habitat restoration efforts; offering help where you can will go a long way. 

– Ryan Walrath, Regional Wildlife Manager

Elk

Elk herds are at/near population objectives across all zones after being well over objective for several years. Current management is focusing on maintaining moderate elk herd growth while still offering some over-the-counter opportunities as a chance for family and friends to hunt together in healthy elk herds. 

Summer temperatures throughout the region have been high, and forage will continue to dry out if the region does not receive any late summer or fall precipitation. Continued hot and dry conditions into the fall may lead to local shifts in elk distribution to higher elevations or wetter foraging habitats. 

Cow elk harvest is largely dictated by weather, and without early snow this fall, hunters can expect to find elk at higher elevations than previous hunting seasons. The best elk hunting will be in areas away from roads and motorized trails.

Mule Deer

Overwinter mule deer fawn survival was up this past winter and above the long-term statewide average. Survival has been below normal in 2 of the last 5 years — including 2024-25. We expect the higher winter survival in 2025-2026 will result in more yearling bucks on the mountain this fall. Since 2024-2025 fawn survival was lower than average there may be fewer two-year-old bucks in the harvest. 

Some mule deer populations have recently declined due to unfavorable environmental conditions including severe winters, summer drought, and loss of habitat due to wildfires. Several antlerless opportunities were eliminated in the region to bolster these herds. 

The hot and dry summer will likely affect mule deer distribution this fall. If conditions persist, deer will likely be concentrated near areas where there is plentiful forage and water. 

What hunters should be aware of this fall

As part of our ongoing CWD surveillance program, regional staff are interested in collecting heads or lymph nodes from adult deer throughout the region. Hunters can have their deer sampled at the Magic Valley regional office during office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) or drop off a head or lymph node sample at a freezer located next to the Magic Valley Region’s hunter education building. 

– Craig White, Regional Supervisor & Kenzie Baratti, Regional Communications Manager

Elk

Hunters should expect good elk hunting again this fall. Winter conditions this past year were extremely mild where calf and adult survival were likely well above average. As a result, elk populations should be similar to, or slightly higher, than what hunters experienced last fall.

Biologists surveyed the Diamond Creek and Bear River Zones in 2023, and the population estimates were within objectives. In the Bannock and Big Desert Zones, aerial surveys are not conducted; however harvest and hunter success rates have increased or remained stable.

Mule Deer

Mule deer populations across the Southeast Region were drastically reduced after the 2022-23 winter. However, the past three winters have been much more favorable for mule deer, resulting in above average survival. Although total mule deer abundance hasn’t fully recovered from the recent harsh winters, populations have increased. 

Hunter success rates in 2023 were some of the lowest recorded in decades, but have incrementally increased since, indicating a population starting to rebound. This coming fall hunters should see more deer compared to 2025 with an increase in both yearlings and adult bucks. 

Overall, biologists are anticipating hunter success, total harvest, and hunter participation to increase for the 2026 season. That being said, the lingering effects of the 2022-23 winter will still be noticed by hunters in some areas.

Although winter conditions were favorable for mule deer, the downside has been drought conditions and less available water across the region. Deer distribution and behavior might differ for hunters earlier in the season when temperatures remain high. 

What hunters should be aware of this fall 

The 2025 big game seasons brought several changes to hunting opportunities that hunters should be aware of and prepared for during the 2026 season. It is the responsibility of hunters to look at current regulations to see how changes (such as season dates, weapon types, tags, etc.) may or may not have affected their familiar hunts. 

Most notably, the any-weapon general season mule deer hunt in Unit 73A was changed to a muzzleloader-only or archery-only season. Centerfire rifles are no longer a legal method of take in Unit 73A general deer seasons.

Weather conditions during the hunting season can affect big game behavior and distribution — and thus, hunter success. Doing some scouting of potential hunting areas may give hunters an idea of animal distribution and behavior. Hunters can also use preseason scouting to check road and trail conditions, as well as make landowner contacts if they are planning to hunt on private property. 

– Zach Lockyer, Regional Wildlife Manager

Elk

Elk abundance and hunting opportunities in the Upper Snake Region should remain somewhat unchanged from 2025. In general, elk numbers are at or above management objectives, and this fall should be a good time to be an elk hunter. 

However, hunters’ experiences will likely vary as the hot and dry weather will almost certainly have changed animal distribution and behavior, even though elk populations in the region are very robust and likely near all-time highs in most areas. Overall, the department has recently been able to increase hunting opportunities for elk across the region, most notably in the Island Park Zone where the 2025 survey documented the highest numbers on record. 

In January 2026, our staff flew the Beaverhead Zone abundance survey and observed 5,272 elk. This is a decrease from the 2016 survey when 6,537 elk were observed. The 2026 data shows a population that is at or slightly above the objectives identified in the elk management plan. In reality, this population is extremely difficult to survey because of frequent movements between these units, Montana, and Unit 63. 

Antlerless harvest in the zone has decreased from 2020 highs, suggesting that fewer elk have recently been available in the zone during the hunting season. Interpreting harvest and survey data for the Beaverhead Zone is difficult because of the extensive movement back and forth to Montana, and the interchange with Unit 63, where increased harvest pressure has been applied. 

In the other mountain valley areas (Lemhi and Pioneer zones), numbers appear mostly stable, and hunting should be similar to previous years. Recent reductions in antlerless hunting opportunity in the Pioneer Zone should continue to result in a slowly increasing population. 

In the Snake River Zone, management actions continue to aim at reducing elk numbers to address agricultural depredations. Harvest opportunities were recently expanded in the zone, and while harvest has been relatively stable from 2023–2025, the impact of these changes should result in fewer elk and/or modified distribution on the landscape. 

The Palisades and Tex Creek zones generally remain within objectives, and hunter success should be similar to past years. The exception to this being antlered opportunity in Tex Creek, where bull numbers were above objective in the most recent survey, and harvest opportunities were expanded as a result.

Mule Deer

During the 2025 hunting season, approximately 2,850 mule deer bucks were harvested in the Upper Snake Region. This is the second highest harvest in the region over the past 33 years and is indicative that abundance is relatively high (when considered region wide). 

However, reality is more nuanced than this, and the northern portion (Island Park and Mountain Valley units) of the region is supporting most of the recent increases in harvest, while populations in the southern portion (Caribou and Palisades units) of the region are recovering more slowly following harsh winters in 2017, 2019, and 2023, likely because the relative lows experienced during those years were much more severe in the south.

Additionally, the 2016 Henrys Creek Fire (in the Caribou DAU) continues to impact habitat quality and deer abundance for this population. Regionwide, harvest increased 110% between the 2023 and 2025 seasons (roughly 67% in the south and 165% in the north).

Staff expect this increasing trend to continue during the 2026 harvest season. The 2025-2026 winter was extremely mild, conditions that likely resulted in high fawn survival overwinter and should mean increased numbers of yearling deer on the hill in October. While one extremely mild winter should increase deer abundance, if too many dry years string together, it will begin to limit population growth, damage habitat, and reduce resilience when the next severe winter occurs. 

Our staff flew the Mountain Valley DAU abundance survey during January 2026. In the southern portion of this DAU (Units 51, 58, 59, and 59A), the number of deer observed increased by 17% between the 2016 and 2026 surveys. Similarly, staff flew the Island Park DAU survey during January 2025 and documented the highest count on record. These data are corroborated by the previously presented harvest data for this population, with both sources suggesting an increasing and relatively robust population. 

Simply put, there will almost certainly be more deer on the hill this fall than the past several years. However, hunters’ experiences will likely vary as the hot and dry weather will almost certainly have changed animal distribution and behavior. 

White-tailed Deer

While the harsh winter of 2022-23 also impacted white-tailed deer survival, the effect was less severe than on mule deer. During the 2023 hunting season, a minor decline in hunter success was observed, but regional white-tailed deer harvest returned to historic averages during the 2024 hunting season. White-tailed deer harvest in the Upper Snake Region has been slowly increasing over the last 10 years. 

A Note on Chronic Wasting Disease

Remember, CWD sampling is mandatory for all deer harvested in Units 63A, 64, and 69. Look for barrels and sampling supplies at boat ramps and at the Fish and Game regional office; during business hours, staff will assist with sample collection. Additionally, staff will conduct check stations throughout the region where sampling can occur during the general deer season. 

– Eric Freeman, Regional Wildlife Manager

Elk

Hunters should see good opportunities again this season as most of the elk zones are either at or above management objective. The region experienced a very mild winter with good survival rates. The summer has brought high temperatures, but the region has received several large precipitation events helping to keep the higher elevation summer ranges green. 

Front country elk numbers across the region remain stable to growing. The backcountry population in the Middle Fork Salmon River appear to be holding steady but will still be in low densities across the vast wilderness. Hunters in this low-density landscape are encouraged to use their optics and boots to cover as much ground as possible to locate small herds of elk and be successful in harvesting a bull.

Mule Deer

Mule deer numbers are stable in those units west of the Salmon River and stable to slightly declining in those units east of the Salmon River. Overall, the region has moderate mule deer densities across the rugged and mountainous landscape. This makes mule deer hunting in the region both challenging and rewarding. 

The Salmon Region experienced a very mild winter, and overwinter deer survival was good across the region. The region is managed under a primarily general season, buck-only structure. And although mule deer are common, the rugged terrain of the region typically leads to low to moderate hunter success rates. Mule deer can be found throughout the region, but densities tend to be highest in the western half of the region.

White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer have become common in the Salmon Region over the past several decades. A liberal general season offers opportunity to pursue them from August through December. Hunters should note that most whitetails are found on private property, and hunters are responsible for obtaining permission before entering private land to hunt. Although they may occasionally be found on public lands, access to consistent whitetail hunting is limited in this region.

What hunters should be aware of this fall

Deer and elk across the region are found in low to moderate densities. A portion of the populations are also highly migratory with fall migrations being initiated by changing weather. If conditions remain warm and dry animals will be scattered in low densities across all elevations and hunters may have to increase efforts to locate game. If the fall weather finds cold temperatures and snow, then hunters should experience increased deer and elk movement and may look to lower elevations for game.

Happy hunting!

– Dennis Newman, Regional Wildlife Manager