Elk Management Plan Process

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved the revised 10-year elk management plan at the Fish and Game commission meeting in January, 2014.

The new plan is a culmination of over 2-years of evaluating elk population data, hunter desires, and incorporating public input to set the direction and actions that will benefit elk and the state of Idaho for the next 10 years.

View the Plan

Select the PageWatch icon at the bottom of the page and sign up to receive e-mail updates on the process. -->
View the entire approved plan. – [PDF, 16 MB]
For ease of download, the plan is broken down in sections in the right hand column of this page.
In March 2014, provide input on big game proposals that are a result of implementing the new plan. -->

What's Next?

Commission Sets 2014 Big Game Seasons - March 21, 2014, news release.
April - May 2013 - Statewide Elk Plan Open Houses/Public meetings- gather input on individual zone strategies - Second public survey conducted - Online chat to discuss the Elk Plan and elk management in real time.
June 2013 - Incorporate public input into draft Elk Plan.
July 11, 2013 - Executive Summary of Draft Elk Plan to F&G Commission for review.
August 19, 2013 - F&G Commission approved Draft Elk Plan for release for public comment.
August 22 - September 22, 2013 - Draft Elk Plan out for public comment.
October - November 2013 - Summarize public comments and present to F&G Commission.
December 2013 - January 2014 - Incorporate public input into Elk Plan Final Draft. Present final plan to F&G Commission in January for approval.
January - February 2014 - With public input, develop elk season proposals for 2014 and implement the new Elk Plan.
March 2014 - F&G Commission meeting on 2014 elk seasons.

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Idaho Fish and Game is revising its long range plan for managing elk. Rocky Mountain elk are Idaho’s premier big game animal. They are distributed throughout Idaho from the sage-dominated deserts of the south to the dense cedar-hemlock forest of the north.

Using many sources of input and data, Fish and Game develops plans to best manage wildlife to preserve, protect and perpetuate the species. The previous elk management plan addressed the need to manage hunter density and distribution, and changes in elk populations. Today Fish and Game is revising that plan to address current hunter preferences and elk numbers.

The goal is a plan that is responsive, incorporates biological and resource realities, ?hunter input and desires, and Commission involvement and approval. -->

Fish and Game develops plans, using many sources of input and data, to best manage wildlife to preserve, protect and perpetuate the species. The previous elk management plan addressed the need to manage hunter density and distribution, and changes in elk populations. Today Fish and Game is revising that plan to address current hunter preferences and elk numbers.

The goal is a plan that is responsive, incorporates biological and resource realities, public input and Commission involvement and approval.

-->The elk plan objectives are in draft form and (we would like your input. Please provide comments by following) are available at the links below:

The statewide elk management direction.

Zone-specific elk management goals.

The proposed options of hunting in more than one elk zone and hunting in multiple zones during a hunting season.

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