Deer Hunting

Every fall hunters eagerly look forward to the annual deer hunt. Learn more about deer hunting in Idaho.

Idaho’s over-the-counter tags and controlled hunts give hunters access to some of the best deer hunting in the West. Hunters can pursue both mule deer and white-tailed deer, largely on public land. Mule deer are widespread in the central mountains and southern deserts of Idaho, while white-tailed deer dominate the northern forested areas of Idaho.

Every fall hunters eagerly look forward to the annual deer hunt. This yearly tradition is so important, hunter surveys consistently tell Fish and Game they are willing to forgo larger bucks for the opportunity to hunt every year. Creating a variety of opportunities guides wildlife managers’ decisions. Fortunately they have the resources to provide not only diverse general seasons that allow hunters to harvest a buck each year, but also high-quality trophy controlled hunts for hunters to pursue larger mature bucks.

News

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

Thursday, April 28, 2022 - 11:30 AM MDT

Controlled hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear and turkey are an excellent opportunity to try for a chance at some of Idaho’s best hunts. Hunters with a valid 2022 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.

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2022 Big Game Seasons and Rules now available

Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 3:51 PM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game has updated its fall hunting season in response to two disease outbreaks and new legislation that affected some seasons and rules. You can see the 2022 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules online, and the printed booklets will be at license and tag vendors and Fish and Game regional offices later in April.

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Hunter harvest stats show slight drop in elk and mule deer harvested in 2021, significant drop in white-tailed deer due to disease outbreak

Monday, April 4, 2022 - 10:41 AM MDT

Despite deer and elk harvest numbers dropping across the board, numbers have shown to be relatively on track with historic 10-year averages for mule deer and elk. White-tailed deer, however, didn’t fare as well in 2021. As anticipated, the number of white-tailed deer dropped significantly, a decline attributed to a late-summer disease outbreak.

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Winter survival for mule deer fawns and elk calves tracking slightly above average

Monday, March 14, 2022 - 3:09 PM MDT

Fish and Game biologists are monitoring 222 mule deer fawns and 201 elk calves that were captured in early winter and fitted with tracking collars.

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F&G will host a virtual meeting March 8 for proposed 2022 deer/elk hunt changes

Thursday, March 3, 2022 - 12:08 PM MST

Idaho Fish and Game will host a virtual open house at 7 p.m. MST, March 8 to provide information on proposed deer and elk hunt changes for 2022 in response to the detection of Chronic Wasting Disease in Unit 14 and an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in the Clearwater Region. People can join the meeting by logging onto https://zoom.us/j/98740232387

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Hunters can comment on proposed changes for 2022 deer and elk seasons from Feb. 22 through March 13

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - 4:13 PM MST

Hunters and other interested parties can comment on proposed changes to the 2022 deer and elk seasons from Feb. 22 through March 13. Proposals are in response to the first-ever detection of Chronic Wasting Disease in Unit 14, as well as a recurrence of another disease that unexpectedly reduced whitetails herds in Clearwater Region. The commission is scheduled to decide on changes at its March 23-24 meeting at 600 S. Walnut St. in Boise.

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What hunters need to know before buying a tag for CWD surveillance hunts on Dec. 7-8

Monday, December 6, 2021 - 10:31 AM MST

Idaho Fish and Game will offer 1,527 deer tags for Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance hunts, which are specialized deer hunts designed for Fish and Game officials to gather 775 samples for CWD testing. There are requirements for hunters who participate in these hunts, which are limited to Idaho residents, except nonresidents who possess an Idaho lifetime hunting license.

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