Upland Game Hunting | Idaho Fish and Game

Learn about upland game hunting in Idaho

Hunters looking to pursue upland game will find several opportunities in Idaho.

Upland Game Animal Opportunities

Cottontail rabbit
Snowshoe hare
Red Squirrel (as of 8/23/18)

Idaho’s native Pygmy rabbit is a protected species and there is no hunting season for them. Be sure of your target.

Pygmy rabbit / Photo by Beth Waterbury

Beth Waterbury for IDFG

Pygmy - no hunting season
Tail: buff-gray
Adult size: - less than 1 foot in length

Cottontail rabbit / Photo by Justin Wilde

Justin Wilde

Cottontail
Tail: white
Adult size: - more than 1 foot in length

Looking for upland bird opportunities?

News

Time for boots on the ground, lots of hunting starts on Aug. 30 and more in September

Wednesday, August 29, 2018 - 3:08 PM MDT

Aug. 30 kicks off many archery seasons for deer and elk, general hunts for bear, mountain lion and wolves, as well as seasons for some upland game birds and animals with more seasons opening in September.

Hunting Upland Game Hunting Upland Bird Hunting Big Game Hunting
New upland game opportunity for 2018: red squirrel season opens Aug. 30

Friday, August 24, 2018 - 2:56 PM MDT

Hunters taking to the field on Aug. 30 can add red squirrel to their list of potential quarry. Aug. 30 is the traditional opening date for cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare. The season for all three species will run through March 31, 2019. Bag limit for red squirrels is eight per day.

Upland Game Hunting Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Public comments sought on proposed sage grouse, red squirrel hunting seasons

Monday, July 16, 2018 - 3:45 PM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game commission has two proposed hunting seasons out for public review and comment. People can comment by going to Survey and Comment page. Deadline to comment is Aug. 6. Sage grouse Idaho Fish and Game is scoping two options for the 2018 sage-grouse season:

Hunting Upland Game Hunting
2018 Red Squirrel Season Scoping Proposal

Friday, July 13, 2018 - 10:11 AM MDT

Opportunity for public comment: July 13 - August 6, 2018. The Commission reclassified red squirrels to an Upland Game animal at their August 2017 meeting. This reclassification was formalized by the Legislature during the 2018 legislative session.

Upland Game Hunting Hunting Idaho Seasons and Rules Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules

Videos

Falcon Quest

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it illegal to trap cottontail rabbits?

Applications

Hunt Planner

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

Buy your license now and save with Price Lock!