Big Game Seasons and Rules

Elk hunters who apply for a controlled elk hunt in 2020 will be ineligible to buy a capped elk zone tag until five days after they go on sale.
Updated March 20, 2020

Pronghorn Controlled Hunt Seasons

– Pages 64-67 [PDF, 607 KB]

Black Bear Seasons

– Pages 69-74 [PDF, 510 KB]

Mountain Lion Seasons

– Pages 75-77 [PDF, 331 KB]

Gray Wolf Seasons

– Pages 78-83 [PDF, 494 KB]

Changes to wolf hunting and trapping seasons for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 are in effect.
Updated Feb. 20, 2020

Unit Map and Unit Boundary Descriptions

Includes — Bighorn sheep raffle
– Pages 84-96 [PDF, 1.3 MB]

General Wildlife Laws

Includes — Trespass, weapons, hound hunting, proxy statement, trails, ATV's, right of way
– Pages 97-107, 121 & 116 [PDF, 785 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, 472 KB]

Elk hunters who apply for a controlled elk hunt in 2020 will be ineligible to buy a capped elk zone tag until five days after they go on sale.
Updated March 20, 2020

License, Tag, and Permit Fees

Includes — Purchasing options, item pricing, super hunt application, paper map order form
– Pages 114-122 [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Second edition posted 04/03/2020 12:45 pm MDT

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

Idaho Fish & Game strongly encourages wearing hunter orange as a voluntary safety measure. See the Hunter Orange Policy – [PDF, 16 KB]
Idaho's Amphibians and Reptiles – Rules for collection, possession and permitting – [PDF, 650 KB]
Marijuana on Public Lands – What you should know when hunting in the field

News

As you prepare for 2020 big game season, here's a look at 2019 deer and elk harvest statistics

Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 11:33 AM MDT

Controlled Hunt Information Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk (Cervus canadensis) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Controlled hunt drawing results for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat now available

Friday, May 15, 2020 - 11:00 AM MDT

Hunters who applied for controlled hunts for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts can see if they drew a tag by going to the controlled hunt results webpage.

Controlled Hunt Information Controlled Hunt Results Information Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules
Yes, nonresident hunters can apply for big game controlled hunts

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - 4:09 PM MDT

Fish and Game staff have gotten some questions about this topic, so here’s a quick reminder regarding the temporary suspension of some nonresident licenses and tags.

Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Licenses, Tags and Permits – Nonresident Controlled Hunt Information
Controlled hunt applications period for deer, elk, pronghorn and fall bear opens May 1 with new rule for elk hunters

Monday, April 27, 2020 - 2:18 PM MDT

Applications for controlled deer, elk, pronghorn and fall bear hunts run May 1 through June 5. Elk hunters are reminded that new for 2020, there is a five-day waiting period to buy capped elk zone tags for any resident who applies for a controlled elk hunt regardless of whether the person draws the controlled hunt tag.

Controlled Hunt Information Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk (Cervus canadensis)
Reminder to elk hunters: there's a new 5-day wait for capped elk zones if you apply for a controlled elk hunt

Monday, April 27, 2020 - 2:02 PM MDT

Controlled Hunt Information Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk hunting Licenses, Tags and Permits – Residents Elk (Cervus canadensis)
Idaho Big Game 2020 Seasons and Rules brochure available online

Monday, April 6, 2020 - 4:43 PM MDT

The Idaho Big Game 2020 Seasons and Rules Brochure is now available at Fish and Game's website and has significant changes and updates of which hunters will want to be aware. View Big Game Seasons

Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Elk (Cervus canadensis) Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
Snare diverters no longer required for wolf trapping

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - 9:08 AM MDT

Under a rule adopted by the Fish and Game Commission that is now in effect, there is no longer a statewide requirement for using diverters on snares for trapping gray wolves. However, snares must be equipped with either a break-away device or cable stop incorporated within the top loop of the snare.

Trapping and Furbearer Information Big Game Seasons and Rules Big Game Hunting Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

Idaho Hunt Planner

Search for hunting areas around the state. Filter by animal, dates, weapons, tag type, and more.

Plan your hunt

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.