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

Agency Guidance Documents - A transparency resource center for agency policies, procedures, interpretations, and/or guidance documents.
Idaho Fish & Game strongly encourages wearing hunter orange as a voluntary safety measure. See the Hunter Orange Policy
Marijuana on Public Lands – What you should know when hunting in the field

News

Proposals for 2021-22 big game season now available for public comment; deadline is Feb. 25

Monday, February 1, 2021 - 2:29 PM MST

Hunters can now see proposed big game season proposal at idfg.idaho.gov/big-game and provide comments. The comment period deadline is Feb. 25. There will also be a series of virtual open house Feb. 16–25.

2021-2022 Big Game Season Setting Big Game Seasons and Rules Big Game Hunting Hunting Deer Hunting Elk hunting Pronghorn Hunting White-tailed Deer Mule Deer Elk Pronghorn Black Bear Mountain Lion Gray Wolf
F&G commission approves changes to nonresident participation in general season deer and elk hunts

Friday, November 20, 2020 - 11:24 AM MST

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Nov. 20 approved changes to nonresident participation in general season deer and elk hunts to address concerns from residents about hunter congestion in some areas. Starting 2021, nonresident hunters in most general season elk and deer hunts will be limited to 10 or 15 percent of the total hunters in each elk zone or deer units based on hunter participation estimates averaged over the last five years. The new limits do not apply to capped elk zones.

Fish and Game Commission Big Game Hunting Deer Hunting Elk Nonresident Tag Limits White-tailed Deer Nonresident Tag Limits Regular Deer Nonresident Tag Limits Nonresident Deer and Elk Quotas and Limits Licenses, tags, and permits General Season Hunts Hunting Elk hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Nonresident Fee Increase and Hunting Changes Elk
New F&G licensing system makes it easier to fill out mandatory hunter reports

Monday, November 9, 2020 - 11:22 AM MST

You can submit your hunter reports with the new online licensing system or by calling (877) 268-9365. The phone option is available 24 hours per day and seven days per week. Please have your hunting tag number when calling.

Big Game Hunting Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Big Game Seasons and Rules Hunter Report Form for Deer, Elk and Pronghorn
Deer hunting continues into November and December, even if you have regular deer tag

Friday, October 30, 2020 - 3:03 PM MDT

For many Idaho hunters “deer season” is seen as two or three weeks in October during the general, any-weapon season, particularly if they’re targeting mule deer in central or south Idaho. But there are many other opportunities available for those who haven’t notched a tag and want to keep deer hunting.

Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules
Mule deer harvests down based on early check station reports, but more data needed

Thursday, October 29, 2020 - 11:38 AM MDT

Deer hunting in southern Idaho either got off to a slow start, or the harvest stats are lagging due to the timing of the opener, or a combination. That’s the preliminary snapshot based on mid October check station reports.

Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules
F&G Commission approves limiting sales of nonresident disabled American veteran reduced-price deer and elk tags

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 9:03 AM MDT

The new limit is 500 nonresident DAV deer tags and 300 nonresident DAV elk tags for over-the-counter deer and elk hunts, which was previously approved by the Commission as a temporary rule and takes effect Dec. 1, 2020.

Big Game Seasons and Rules Licenses, Tags and Permits – Nonresident Nonresident Deer and Elk Quotas and Limits Nonresident Fee Increase and Hunting Changes
Hunters: Remember that if your tag isn't properly notched, it's invalid

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 - 10:20 AM MDT

Reminder for hunters, after you harvest your animal, you must validate your tag by completely removing the correct day and month – just like in the picture – and attaching it to the largest portion of the carcass.

Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules

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.