Upland Game Hunting

Hunting small game is a great way for beginners to get started, and some of the earliest fall hunting seasons — including squirrel, snowshoe hare, cottontail, dove and forest grouse — present excellent opportunities for new hunters to develop their skills and confidence without breaking the bank. The best part? Good hunting for all of these species can be found on public land.

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. 

In recent years, localized turkey populations have expanded and created depredation conflicts on private lands. In addition to turkey depredation issues, landowners who provide valuable turkey habitat in controlled hunt areas have expressed frustration at being unable to hunt turkeys on their own property because of low controlled hunt drawing odds.

During their Wednesday, March 13 meeting in Boise, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted seasons and rules to continue annual capture of up to two nestling or juvenile wild peregrine falcons to be used for falconry through 2021. The 2019 permit application period is open March 15 through April 15.