2021 Big Game Seasons and Rules

Seasons and rules information for big game hunting in Idaho

2021 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules

The 2021 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure is available online as a full download, or by section below.

Download Full Brochure

 – Full brochure, pages 1-124, [PDF, 8.4 MB]

 

 

 

Brochure Sections:

The sections below are split into smaller files focused on the categories listed.

Intro Information

Includes — Table of contents, Getting started / What's new, key dates
 – Pages 2-7 [PDF, 1 MB]
Some key dates are also listed below.

NEW! Limited Nonresident Adult Tags

 – Page 9 [PDF, 163 KB]

BEGINNING 2021 ADULT NONRESIDENT TAGS ARE LIMITED

Check limits at: idfg.idaho.gov/tag/quotas-nonresident

A supplemental brochure to the Idaho Big Game 2021 Seasons & Rules is available and includes nonresident tag limits and outfitter allocation.
Supplemental NR brochure[WEB PAGE]

Deer General Seasons

 – Pages 10-20 [PDF, 806 KB]

Deer Controlled Hunt Seasons

 – Pages 21-33 [PDF, 756 KB]

Elk General Seasons

 – Pages 34-49 [PDF, 2.6 MB]

Elk Controlled Hunt Seasons

 – Pages 50-65 [PDF, 622 KB]

Resident elk hunters who apply for a controlled elk hunt in 2021 will be ineligible to buy a capped elk zone tag until five days after they go on sale.

Pronghorn Controlled Hunt Seasons

 – Pages 66-69 [PDF, 375 KB]

Black Bear Seasons

 – Pages 71-76 [PDF, 520 KB]

Mountain Lion Seasons

 – Pages 77-79 [PDF, 345 KB]

Gray Wolf Seasons

 – Pages 80-85 [PDF, 556 KB]

Changes to wolf hunting and trapping seasons and rules for the 2021-22 season are in effect.
More Info Updated June 30, 2021

Unit Map and Unit Boundary Descriptions

Includes — Bighorn sheep raffle
 – Pages 86-96 [PDF, 1.2 MB]

General Wildlife Laws

Includes — Trespass, weapons, hound hunting, proxy statement, trails, ATV's, right of way
 – Pages 97-107, 121 & 116 [PDF, 807 KB]

Controlled Hunt Information

Includes — Application worksheet, depredation and permit information
Please note: Mail-in controlled hunt applications are no longer accepted.
 – Pages 108-113 [PDF, 594 KB]

Resident elk hunters who apply for a controlled elk hunt in 2021 will be ineligible to buy a capped elk zone tag until five days after they go on sale.

License, Tag, and Permit Fees

Includes — Purchasing options, item pricing, super hunt application, paper map order form
 – Pages 114-124 [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Second edition posted 04/05/2021

Dates to Remember

  • May1

    First controlled hunt application period begins

    The big game application period runs May 1 through June 5.

  • June5

    First controlled hunt application period closes

    Avoid the last-minute rush and apply early to ensure proper application processing.

    The big game application period runs May 1 through June 5.

  • July12

    Resident capped tags on sale

    Resident capped tags go on sale July 12.

    First drawing tags must be purchased by August 1. It is your responsibility to determine if your drawing was successful.

  • July14

    Resident Sawtooth Zone capped tags on sale

    Resident Sawtooth tags go on sale July 14.

  • Aug1

    Deadline to buy first drawing controlled hunt tags

    Tags not purchased by August 1 will be forfeited (excluding unlimited tags).

  • Aug5

    Second controlled hunt application period begins

    The big game application period runs August 5 through August 15.

  • Aug15

    Second controlled hunt application period closes

    Avoid the last-minute rush and apply early to ensure proper application processing.

    The big game application period runs August 5 through August 15.

Looking for big game hunting news?

Big game hunting press releases and related news can be found on our website's "big game hunting page."

  Notice:

Seasons, rules, and fees may change. It is your responsibility to be aware of changes since these seasons and rules were printed.

Other Rules Information

News

More articles

Idaho Hunt Planner

Updates to the Idaho Hunt Planner are still pending. Thank you for your patience.

 

The Rules Brochures

Online rules brochures are created in PDF file format. They are produced to keep the online display as close as possible to the printed version.

Printed copies of the rules brochure can be picked up, without charge, at local license vendors, Offices, or by calling 208-334-3700 to receive a copy by mail.

To view Idaho Fish and Game administrative rules and code, visit the Office of Administrative Rules on the Idaho Department of Administration website.

To advertise in future Idaho Fish and Game rules brochures, call: Rotary Offset Press: 1-253-216-1256.