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Idaho Fish and Game

Magic Valley Region
Elk

Big Desert Zone (Units 52A, 53, 68, and 68A): increase B Tag quota to 350 tags (+100) and extend B Tag any weapon, antlerless hunt to Dec 31.

Large zone that contains vast acreages of irrigated agriculture with a history of chronic depredation. Zone spans 2 administrative regions, Southeast (Units 68 and 68A) and Magic Valley (Units 52A and 53). Recent efforts to alleviate depredations, including over the counter antlerless hunting (Units 52A and 68), Landowner Permission Hunts, and depredation hunts were successful, particularly in Unit 52A. The B tag cap was reduced from 500 to 250 in 2023. In the following 2 years, elk depredations have increased and expanded in units 52A and 68. Joint regional proposal is to increase the B tag cap from 250 to 350 and extend the season through December in Units 52A and 68 only. These proposals are consistent with elk management plan objectives for the Big Desert Zone to reduce elk populations while still maintaining a variety of hunting opportunities. 
 

Big Desert Zone(Units 52A, 53, 68, 68A)
Motorized HR Applies in Unit 52A,August 30 - December 31, See Pages 104 - 106

 

August/September

October

November

December

A Tag

Archery only  any elk 
Units 52A and 68 only: Aug 30 - Sep 30

 

Archery only — any elk
Unit 68 only: Aug 1 - Aug 30

 

Short range weapons only  any elk Unit 53 only: Aug 1 - Dec 31

Archery only — any elk Unit 68A only: Aug 1 - Dec 31

B Tag

 

Any weapon  antlerless only
Units 52A and 68 only: Nov 1 - Nov 30  Dec 31

Note: 250  350 B Tag Quota Available First-Come, First-Served. 

Proposed Changes

Increase B tag quota to 350 tags (+100) and extend season dates through December.

 

 

 

Species
Elk
GMU
GMU: 52A
GMU: 53
GMU: 68
GMU: 68A
Tag Category
General Hunt