Big Game Seasons and Rules

Seasons and rules information for big game hunting in Idaho

Notice: Proposals for the 2019-2020 seasons are now available! review and comment through February 24.

Notice: These rules will be updated a few weeks after the March Commission meeting.

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

Hunters can provide input for the 2019-20 big game seasons at February open houses

Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 1:00 PM MST

Fish and Game staff will hold a series of open houses around the state to talk to hunters about their preferences for rules and seasons for the upcoming big game hunts.

Big Game Hunting Panhandle Region Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk hunting Deer Hunting Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Elk (Cervus canadensis) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
Idaho's 2019-20 big game season proposals available online

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - 3:56 PM MST

Idaho Fish and Game's proposed changes for the 2019-20 big game hunting seasons are now available for public review and comment. The proposals for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion and gray wolf are listed by region and are available on Idaho Fish and Game's 2019-2020 Big Game Seasons Proposals page. Only those seasons and hunts for which changes are proposed are listed. All others will remain the same as they were during the 2018 hunting season.

Big Game Seasons and Rules Upper Snake Region Southwest Region Clearwater Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Panhandle Region Elk (Cervus canadensis) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Mountain Lion, Cougar, or Puma (Puma concolor) Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
2019-2020 Big Game Seasons Proposals

Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 9:51 AM MST

Review and Comment 2019-2020 Big Game Seasons and Rules Proposals You can now review and comment on the big game seasons and rules.

Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk hunting Deer Hunting
Southwest Region will host four meetings in February to take input on big game seasons

Friday, January 18, 2019 - 1:24 PM MST

The 2019 big game hunting season in Idaho’s southwest region is the focus of a series of open house meetings where hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts will have a chance to review and discuss big game season proposals with Fish and Game staff.

Southwest Region Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk (Cervus canadensis) Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Mountain Lion, Cougar, or Puma (Puma concolor) Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
Controlled hunt application periods for spring black bear opens Jan. 15, spring turkey Feb. 1

Thursday, January 10, 2019 - 7:54 PM MST

Hunters who are looking to apply for controlled bear or turkey hunts during spring can apply in January and February. The application period for spring controlled black bear hunts kicks off on Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 15. Applications for the spring turkey controlled hunts will be accepted from Feb. 1 through March 1.

Controlled Hunt Information Hunting Upland Bird Hunting Wild Turkey Hunting Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Licenses, tags, and permits Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
F&G Commission votes to continue general hunts for Sawtooth Elk Zone in 2019

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - 1:49 PM MST

Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Nov. 14 voted to continue a general hunt with capped tags for the Sawtooth Elk Zone in 2019, which typically sells out in minutes due to its popularity with hunters.

Big Game Hunting Big Game Seasons and Rules Elk (Cervus canadensis)
It's not too late to fill out your 2018 hunter reports

Friday, October 26, 2018 - 2:55 PM MDT

You can submit your harvest reports online 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

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.