Here’s what Southwest Idaho hunters need to know before spring turkey, bear hunts kick off in April

April is just around the corner, which means two of Idaho’s popular spring hunting opportunities are, too. Whether you’re chasing beards or bears, there’s plenty of reason for optimism if you’re hunting in the Southwest Region, but there are also a couple of changes you need to know about before heading out into the field. We’ll get into both, but let’s start with the changes.

In the southern part of the region, turkey hunters should note that Unit 40 will have both a youth general season and a general season for the first time this spring. Turkey populations have been increasing in the northwest portion of the unit. However, it’s important for hunters to realize that access will be a major limitation, as most turkeys will be on private land. We ask hunters to be respectful of landowners and to always ask permission before hunting private property.

Bear hunters need to be tuned in to some changes in the Weiser area. First, in Unit 32A, bait and dogs are no longer allowed in either the general or controlled spring hunts. This change was approved by the Fish and Game Commission during their March 2025 meeting, to help maintain sustainable harvest after recent harvest increases and wildfire impacts.

Second, in Unit 32, all bear hunting has shifted to a general season opportunity (and away from the unlimited controlled hunt). 

2026 Spring Hunting Outlook

Turkey

Throughout the Southwest Region, the youth general season kicks off on April 8, while the general season starts on April 15. General-season opportunity is offered in most of the region’s units in the spring, giving hunters plenty of options to fill their tags.

In broad strokes, the outlook for the Southwest Region is good. Winter conditions were exceptionally mild, and wildlife managers anticipate there was good overwinter survival. The mild winter has also likely affected turkey distribution. Anecdotal reports from Fish and Game field staff indicate that turkeys didn’t make their way down to lower elevations this winter, and it’s a safe bet that birds are going to be found at higher elevations than usual in the earlier part of the season. That could bode well for public land hunters in many of the Southwest Region’s units, who are typically waiting for the snow line to recede before turkeys move off predominantly private land at lower elevations.

Black Bear

Most of the spring black bear seasons in the Southwest Region begin on April 15. A notable exception is the group of units (22, 31, 32 and 32A) in the Weiser and Council area, which start on April 1. With the changes to hunts in Unit 32 during the last season-setting cycle, only two controlled hunts remain in the region, including one controlled hunt that spans Units 22 and 31, and one in Unit 32A. 

A fantastic berry crop throughout most of the region last summer means bears should have had ample opportunity to fatten up going into the winter. Wildlife managers also expect that translated to good production in dens this year. Given that sows with cubs are protected, hunters should be extra cautious in the field this spring.