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

Big game controlled hunt application period runs May 1 through June 5

Monday, April 26, 2021 - 2:34 PM MDT

Hunters with a valid 2021 Idaho hunting license may apply for controlled hunts at any license vendor, Fish and Game office, or with a credit card online at license.gooutdoorsidaho.com or by calling 1-800-554-8685. Here is some new information that hunters should keep in mind for the upcoming controlled hunt application period.

Hunting Controlled Hunt Information Elk hunting Deer Hunting Big Game Hunting Pronghorn Hunting
Public Input Survey: Mountain Goat Gender Identification Training

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - 10:41 AM MDT

Mountain Goat Hunting Hunting
Enter Super Hunt drawings for Idaho's best deer, elk, moose and pronghorn hunts

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - 9:46 AM MDT

Your chance at Idaho's ultimate big game hunting opportunity is up for grabs with the Super Hunt drawings, and deadline for the first drawing is May 31.

Idaho Super Hunts! Hunting
Web-based tools can help hunters with big game controlled hunt applications

Monday, April 12, 2021 - 11:24 AM MDT

As the months of May and June approach, many big game hunters find themselves doing research on which controlled hunts to apply for. Fish and Game has year’s-worth of data on their web page which are excellent resources available for hunters to use when researching controlled and general hunts.

Magic Valley Region Big Game Hunting Controlled Hunt Information Hunting Elk Mule Deer White-tailed Deer Black Bear Pronghorn
Public Input: Swan Season Controlled Hunt

Monday, April 12, 2021 - 9:11 AM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game held its first swan hunt in north Idaho during fall 2020. Tags (50) were offered on a first-come, first-served basis at 10 a.m. MDT on August 1, at any vendor. These tags sold out very quickly, which caused frustration with some constituents. As a result, the department would like your opinion on whether to offer swan tags through a controlled hunt framework.

Hunting Swan Hunting
Spring turkey hunting outlook good for 2021 and similar to 2020

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 3:35 PM MDT

Youth turkey season opens April 8, and general turkey season opens April 15. Hunters will find most general hunting opportunity in the Panhandle, Clearwater, Southwest, and Southeast regions. In each of the regions with general hunting opportunity, turkey populations are faring well, and the hunting outlook is as good or better than recent years.

Wild Turkey Hunting Hunting Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Public lands turkey hunting is a great way to tag a bird during spring

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 11:55 AM MDT

Idaho hunters are blessed with about two-thirds of the state being publicly owned, or open for public hunting, which provides some great opportunities for turkey hunting. The birds are plentiful in Idaho, and many of them are found on public land where anyone can access them.

Wild Turkey Hunting Hunting Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

UPLAND GAME / FURBEARERS

Idaho Fish and Game

Idaho Trespass Law

Idaho's trespass law changes July 1, 2018

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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.