This winter, Idaho Fish and Game will begin the process of proposing changes for the 2027 and 2028 hunting seasons. IDFG is already aware of the need to increase harvest in some areas due to growing wildlife populations that exceed management objectives and can provide more hunting opportunity. In these areas, the department is asking hunters to share their thoughts on potential hunting options before the official season-setting public comment period begins in early 2027.
Review the information and hunt options below and provide your feedback by August 31, 2026.
Overview
An elk survey in the Brownlee Zone was conducted in February 2025, and staff found that bull and cow numbers were way above objectives set in the Idaho Elk Management Plan (last updated in 2024).
During the March 2025 season setting, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission made the following changes to provide more opportunity for hunters and move the population back towards our management plan objective ranges:
Added a new Brownlee B tag, which includes early antlerless opportunity in August and September, and a 2-week antlerless hunt in November.
Added a controlled bull hunt with 75 tags.
Increased tags in existing antlerless controlled hunts.
Increased tags in existing youth either-sex hunts, and created a new youth-only antlerless hunt.
Harvest numbers increased, with 120 more cow elk and about 60 more bull elk harvested than in 2024, Overall harvest was a little over 500 elk in Unit 31 in 2025.
Potential Hunt Options
Based on the number of calves observed during the last survey, the current harvest is roughly equal to the number of elk replaced each year through reproduction..
To move the population back towards management objectives, the harvest of a few more elk, especially antlerless elk, is likely needed.
We are aware of the impacts of the Tartar Fire to Unit 31, and will consider that prior to proposing any changes during season setting. However, one concern is that high elk numbers combined with significantly reduced habitat may result in high over-winter elk mortality and/or increased private land damage issues. Reducing the elk herd via hunting would put animals in hunters’ freezers and reduce the numbers competing for limited forage over winter.
We have several types of hunt structures we could use to harvest additional elk. We’d like to know which you’d prefer.
More controlled hunts
Expanded general opportunity for cows
Expanded general opportunity for bulls or either-sex
More youth hunts
Extra tags (tags in addition to a regular tag, allowing a hunter to possess 2 elk tags.)
If you have any other ideas on how to increase Brownlee elk harvest, please write those in the comment box. Also, we know that many of these elk spend most of their time on private land, so we welcome any suggestions on hunt timing or structure to better target the animals causing problems for local ranchers.
How to provide feedback
View the proposed hunt options below and provide any additional thoughts in the comment box. Comments are most helpful when they are specific and detailed.
After the input period closes, staff will compile and review the feedback as one of several factors considered during the season-setting process. While public input is an important part of that process, final hunting season recommendations will also consider biological, social, and management objectives. All preliminary season proposals will be available for public input next February.
For questions or to provide additional comments, please contact Idaho Fish and Game Southwest-McCall Regional Wildlife Manager Regan Berkley at (208) 634-8137.
This winter, Idaho Fish and Game will begin the process of proposing changes for the 2027 and 2028 hunting seasons. IDFG is already aware of the need to increase harvest in some areas due to growing wildlife populations that exceed management objectives and can provide more hunting opportunity. In these areas, the department is asking hunters to share their thoughts on potential hunting options before the official season-setting public comment period begins in early 2027.
Review the information and hunt options below and provide your feedback by August 31, 2026.
Overview
An elk survey in the Brownlee Zone was conducted in February 2025, and staff found that bull and cow numbers were way above objectives set in the Idaho Elk Management Plan (last updated in 2024).
During the March 2025 season setting, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission made the following changes to provide more opportunity for hunters and move the population back towards our management plan objective ranges:
Harvest numbers increased, with 120 more cow elk and about 60 more bull elk harvested than in 2024, Overall harvest was a little over 500 elk in Unit 31 in 2025.
Potential Hunt Options
Based on the number of calves observed during the last survey, the current harvest is roughly equal to the number of elk replaced each year through reproduction..
To move the population back towards management objectives, the harvest of a few more elk, especially antlerless elk, is likely needed.
We have several types of hunt structures we could use to harvest additional elk. We’d like to know which you’d prefer.
If you have any other ideas on how to increase Brownlee elk harvest, please write those in the comment box. Also, we know that many of these elk spend most of their time on private land, so we welcome any suggestions on hunt timing or structure to better target the animals causing problems for local ranchers.
How to provide feedback
View the proposed hunt options below and provide any additional thoughts in the comment box. Comments are most helpful when they are specific and detailed.
After the input period closes, staff will compile and review the feedback as one of several factors considered during the season-setting process. While public input is an important part of that process, final hunting season recommendations will also consider biological, social, and management objectives. All preliminary season proposals will be available for public input next February.
For questions or to provide additional comments, please contact Idaho Fish and Game Southwest-McCall Regional Wildlife Manager Regan Berkley at (208) 634-8137.