Big Game Seasons and Rules

Seasons and rules information for big game hunting in Idaho

2017 and 2018 Big Game Seasons and Rules

Including Controlled Hunts for Deer, Elk, Pronghorn and Black Bear
– Full booklet, pages 1-120 [PDF, 9.1 MB]

Notice: Fees and rules may change. It is your responsibility to be aware of changes since these seasons and rules were printed. Please see the fee schedules in the License, Tag and Permit Fees section for current prices.

Sections:

Intro Information — Table of Contents, Getting Started / What's New, Key Dates
– Pages 1-7 [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Deer General Seasons
– Pages 8-18 [PDF, 2.1 MB]
- Deer Controlled Hunt Seasons
  – Pages 19-30 [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Elk General Zone Seasons
– Pages 32-45 [PDF, 3.6 MB]
- Elk Controlled Hunt Seasons
  – Pages 46-61 [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Pronghorn Controlled Hunts
– Pages 62-66 [PDF, 820 KB]
Black Bear Seasons
– Pages 67-72 [PDF, 579 KB]
Mountain Lion Seasons
– Pages 73-75 [PDF, 348 KB]
Gray Wolf Seasons
– Pages 76-81 [PDF, 802 KB]
Unit Map and Unit Boundary Descriptions — Bighorn Sheep Raffle
– Pages 82-94 [PDF, 1.3 MB]
General Wildlife Laws — Trespass, Weapons, Hound Hunting, Proxy Statement, Trails, ATV's, Right of Way
– Pages 95-105 & 116 [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Controlled and Special Hunt Information — Application Worksheet, Depredation and Permit Information, Map Order Form
– Pages 106-111 [PDF, 1.7 MB]
License, Tag and Permit Fees
– Pages 112-120 [PDF, 1.5 KB]

Key Dates for Big Game Controlled Hunts

1st controlled hunt application period May 1 - June 5.
Successful 1st draw applicants will be notified by July 10.
2nd controlled hunt application period August 5-15.
Leftover tags from the 2nd drawing go on sale August 25.

After a Successful Hunt

Big Game Field Dressing
Backcountry Game Meat Care Guide
Fill Out A Hunt Report – whether you have a successful hunt or not, please report on your hunt.

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

See hunting units with extended wolf hunting and trapping seasons

Thursday, September 6, 2018 - 11:12 AM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game Commission in August extended hunting and trapping seasons for wolves in many units for fall/winter hunts.

Trapping and Furbearer Information Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
New rules in effect to prevent chronic wasting disease from entering Idaho

Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 11:29 AM MDT

At its July 26 meeting in Idaho Falls, Fish and Game Commission approved several new rules to prevent chronic wasting disease from entering Idaho, or managing the disease if it ever is found in Idaho. New rules include:

Monitoring for Chronic Wasting Disease Big Game Hunting Big Game Winter Feeding in Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules
Application period is Aug. 10-17 for second controlled hunt drawing for deer, elk, pronghorn and bear

Thursday, August 9, 2018 - 3:32 PM MDT

It's not too late to apply for the second controlled hunt drawing for over 2,250 unclaimed, controlled hunt tags for deer, elk, pronghorn and bear.

Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Controlled Hunt Information Controlled Hunt Results Information
2018 deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, and turkey controlled hunt drawing results available

Friday, July 6, 2018 - 10:09 AM MDT

Hunters can check to see if they drew controlled hunt tags for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, and turkey. Results are posted through Fish and Game's licensing system at https://idfg.idaho.gov/buy-online for those who already have an account.

Licenses, tags, and permits Controlled Hunt Results Information Big Game Seasons and Rules Hunting Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Elk hunting Deer Hunting Controlled Hunt Results Information White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) Elk (Cervus canadensis) Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
June 5 is deadline to apply for big game controlled hunts

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - 3:12 PM MDT

Hunters have until midnight Monday, June 5 to apply for this fall's deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear and turkey controlled hunts.

Licenses, tags, and permits Controlled Hunt Information Big Game Hunting Regions Big Game Seasons and Rules Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Elk (Cervus canadensis) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Public Feedback - 2018 Proposed Big Game Grizzly Bear Season

Monday, April 16, 2018 - 5:19 PM MDT

Overview Hunting is part of the grizzly bear conservation strategy and consistent with the management of bears in the greater Yellowstone area outside of the park and in eastern Idaho.

Grizzly Bear Conservation and Management Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Moose, Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Seasons and Rules Fish and Game Commission
New changes to 2018 big game rules: sheep, goat, Unit 10A deer hunt, Weiser River elk zone, and units 26 and 27 controlled deer hunts

Friday, March 23, 2018 - 5:12 PM MDT

Fish and Game Commission at the March 22 meeting made several changes that big game hunters should be aware of for the upcoming fall seasons, including:

Hunting Big Game Hunting Fish and Game Commission Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Big Game Seasons and Rules Moose, Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Seasons and Rules Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

The Idaho Hunt Planner helps you filter and map the seasons and rules. Learn more at the Idaho Hunt Planner.

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 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.