Hunting

Hunting in Idaho runs the spectrum from plentiful upland game to highly coveted trophy species.

Seasons in Idaho are generally structured to provide a wide variety of hunting experiences with a strong emphasis on opportunity.

To hunt in Idaho you will need:

a hunting license
a tag for big game species and turkey
to take a hunter education class if born after January 1, 1975

If you’ve never purchased a hunting license in Idaho, or any other state, and you’re 8 years of age or older, you are eligible for our Hunting Passport program.

News

Entire Middle Fork Elk Zone is Now Open (Rescinded Fire Closures)

Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 9:55 AM MDT

Hunters now have access to all of the Middle Fork Elk Zone – units 20A and 26 – thanks to cool weather and light rain moving across the region. While the Highline and Goat Fires continue to burn in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area, fire danger is minimal, though hunters are still advised to exercise caution when near the active fire line.

Southwest Region Fire Information Elk hunting Hunting
Youth waterfowl weekend and pheasant hunts begin soon

Monday, September 18, 2017 - 12:07 PM MDT

Young hunters will soon have an early shot at waterfowl and pheasants, with September 30-October 1 marking the youth waterfowl weekend and October 7-13 set for the youth pheasant hunt.

Hunting Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Highline Fire Closure Area Reduced in Middle Fork Elk Zone

Friday, September 15, 2017 - 9:20 AM MDT

A large portion of the Middle Fork Elk Zone has reopened thanks to cooler temperatures and slower fire growth of the Highline and Goat Fires burning within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.

Elk hunting Hunting Fire Information Southwest Region Elk (Cervus canadensis)
Bird hunters encouraged to donate their wings

Monday, September 11, 2017 - 7:38 AM MDT

With many upland game bird seasons opening soon, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking hunters to donate a fully feathered wing for each bird they harvest. Because juvenile and adult birds molt their wing feathers differently, biologists can use this information to estimate chick production that year.

Upland Bird Hunting Hunting
What to Expect During Your First Visit to Black's Creek Public Shooting Range

Friday, September 8, 2017 - 1:32 PM MDT

Visiting a shooting range for the first time can be intimidating. But it doesn't have to be. A new video produced by Idaho Fish and Game walks first-time visitors to Black's Creek Public Shooting Range through every step of the process, from locating the range to checking in at the range office to loading and shooting a firearm.

Southwest Region Hunting Black's Creek Public Shooting Range
Visit your local shooting range before seasons begin

Friday, September 1, 2017 - 8:43 AM MDT

With summer winding down and the fall hunting seasons just getting started, now’s a great time for hunters to visit their local shooting range for some pre-season practice.

Hunting Public Shooting Ranges Hunter Education Programs
Shout Out to Landowners!

Thursday, August 31, 2017 - 6:01 PM MDT

Landowners offer a service for all of us who love to hunt, fish and watch wildlife by providing habitat on their properties. Many go the extra mile, enrolling their land into special programs that develop fields specifically to create cover and forage for wildlife.

Hunting Hunter Education Programs Wildlife Conservation and Management Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Elk (Cervus canadensis) Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

UPLAND GAME / FURBEARERS

Videos

Girls with Fire

Forest Grouse Primer

Hunting the Sagebrush Sea

Applications

Access Yes!

Access Yes! is a program designed to improve sportsmen's access to private land or through private land to public land by compensating willing landowners who provide access.