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]
- Deer Controlled Hunt Seasons
- Elk General Zone Seasons
– Pages 32-45 [PDF, 3.6 MB]- Elk Controlled Hunt Seasons
– Pages 46-61 [PDF, 1.7 MB]
- Elk Controlled Hunt Seasons
- 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
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2018 deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, and turkey controlled hunt drawing results available
Friday, July 6, 2018 - 10:09 AM MDT
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
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) -
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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
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.
