Elk hunting | Idaho Fish and Game

Idaho has many elk hunting opportunities

An incredible mixture of elk hunting opportunity is available to the hunter, thanks to Idaho’s diverse habitats and a population of about 107,000 elk. The Idaho elk hunter can pursue bulls that vanish like ghosts in the sagebrush deserts, chase herds in the lung-busting climbs of the central Idaho mountains, or stalk the thick-timbered ridges of northern Idaho.

The current Idaho strategy is to offer over-the-counter tags that provide yearly opportunity for family and friends to hunt together, in combination with mature bull opportunity in controlled hunt areas.

Elk hunting is managed in 28 elk zones with a 2-tag system in most zones - A tag & B tag. In general, 'A tags' provide more opportunity for muzzleloader and archery hunters and B tags provide more opportunity for center fire rifle hunters. Hunters may select one zone and choose either an A tag or a B tag.

Elk Hunting Opportunities

News

Hunters can provide input for the 2019-20 big game seasons at February open houses

Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 1:00 PM MST

Fish and Game staff will hold a series of open houses around the state to talk to hunters about their preferences for rules and seasons for the upcoming big game hunts.

Big Game Hunting Panhandle Region Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk hunting Deer Hunting Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Elk (Cervus canadensis) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
2018 deer, elk harvests similar to 2017; above 10-year averages except mule deer

Friday, February 15, 2019 - 11:20 AM MST

Hunters took more mule deer and fewer white-tailed deer in 2018 compared to 2017, while the elk harvest was similar between the two years -- dropping by less than 2 percent from 2017 to 2018. The 2018 elk harvest was about 15.4 percent above the 10-year average, and the overall deer harvest was less than 1 percent below the 10-year average.

Big Game Hunting Elk hunting Deer Hunting Hunting Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) Elk (Cervus canadensis) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
2019-2020 Big Game Seasons Proposals

Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 9:51 AM MST

Review and Comment 2019-2020 Big Game Seasons and Rules Proposals You can now review and comment on the big game seasons and rules.

Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk hunting Deer Hunting
Respect and courtesy are essential when hunting private land

Friday, October 26, 2018 - 2:36 PM MDT

Hunters should get permission before hunting on private land, and Idaho Fish and Game urges them to act responsibly so access to private lands can be preserved.

Hunting Big Game Hunting Deer Hunting Elk hunting
Hunters are reminded to stop at check stations

Thursday, October 11, 2018 - 10:58 AM MDT

Hunting seasons are here, and soon hunters will see Fish and Game check stations throughout the state. Remember that all hunters must stop at Fish and Game check stations, regardless of whether they’ve harvested game.

Hunting Deer Hunting Elk hunting Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Southwest Region Upper Snake Region Panhandle Region Southeast Region Salmon Region Clearwater Region Magic Valley Region Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) Elk (Cervus canadensis)
2018 outlook: Hunters should have fair-to-excellent deer and elk hunting

Monday, August 27, 2018 - 3:24 PM MDT

White-tailed deer and elk herds and harvests have been at or near historic highs in recent years and well above long-term averages.

Big Game Hunting Hunting Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Elk hunting Deer Hunting Elk (Cervus canadensis) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

Videos

Elk Hunting in Idaho's Back Country

Frequently Asked Questions

With quotas on elk hunting zones, am I going to be able to buy a tag for this fall?

Applications

Hunt Planner

The Idaho Hunt Planner is an interactive search and mapping engine for hunting regulations.

Related Documents

Idaho’s Elk Management Plan [PDF download]