The Idaho Big Game 2020 Seasons and Rules Brochure is now available online on Fish and Game's website and has significant changes for controlled elk hunts, wolf seasons and more.
The 2020 brochure, which contains seasons and rules for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion and gray wolf, will be available in print in late April.
Here are a handful of changes that hunters should take note of for the 2020 season:
- Resident elk hunters — If you apply for a controlled elk hunt in 2020, you cannot buy a capped elk zone tag until five days after they go on sale regardless of whether you draw a controlled hunt elk tag. See Page 2 of the Idaho Big Game 2020 Seasons and Rules brochure, and read more about the change here.
- Apply and buy online — Consistent with the Governor’s statewide, stay-at-home order to aid in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our community, Fish and Game public offices are closed through at least April 15, 2020. Fish and Game officials are encouraging people to buy licenses, tags and permits online as well as apply for controlled hunts online. People can also buy licenses and tags by phone with a credit or debit card by calling (800) 554-8685.
- A reminder for nonresidents – While some nonresident license/tag/permit sales are suspended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, nonresidents can purchase a 2020 hunting license and apply for fall big game controlled hunts.
- Chronic wasting disease — No person may import any deer, elk or moose carcass from another state or Canadian provide that has any documented case of CWD. See Page 31 for processed meat and other exceptions. Visit our website at idfg.idaho.gov/cwd to find status updates on CWD and the most up-to-date information and resources.
- Gray wolf — Statewide hunter harvest limit for wolves increased to 15 wolves per calendar year. The statewide trapping harvest limit for wolves increased to 15 wolves per trapping season. More information is available here. Many gray wolf hunting and trapping seasons have changed, including longer seasons in many hunting units. More information can be found on Pages 78-82, and here is a summary of those changes. For wolf trapping, the use of diverters is no longer required.