This winter, Idaho Fish and Game will begin the process of proposing changes for the 2027 and 2028 hunting seasons. IDFG is already aware of the need to increase harvest in some areas due to growing wildlife populations that exceed management objectives and can provide more hunting opportunity. In these areas, the department is asking hunters to share their thoughts on potential hunting options before the official season-setting public comment period begins in early 2027.
Review the information and hunt options below and provide your feedback by August 31, 2026.
Overview
IDFG staff conducted an elk survey in January 2025 and found elk numbers were significantly above objectives. IDFG staff are concerned about the long-term impacts of this elevated abundance on disease prevalence, social tolerance, and habitat damage.
These objectives are set in our Elk Management Plan, which was last updated in 2024. Based on the number of calves observed during the 2025 survey, current harvest is still not accounting for recruitment, which means the population is likely still increasing. To move the population back towards management objectives, we need to harvest more elk. Attempts to increase harvest with late season hunts have not been successful and have also resulted in increased trespass and questionable/unlawful hunter behavior. We are therefore exploring options to increase harvest earlier in the season.
During the 2025 season setting process, we received a lot of great input from hunters and were able to incorporate some of that into the final proposals that were approved by the commission. However, other comments were a significant departure from what was proposed and scoped at that time, and therefore couldn’t be implemented. Some of that feedback is accounted for below.
During the 2025 season setting, we implemented the following changes to offer more opportunity and to move the population back towards our management plan objectives.
a) Added a new any-weapon controlled hunt in Island Park with 400 antlerless elk tags. b) Increased antlerless elk tags on the Island Park controlled hunt from 400 to 1,000 and extended the dates. c) Extended dates on the youth Island Park antlerless controlled hunt. d) Increased tags from 40 to 100 on the early any-weapon antlered controlled hunt. e) Modified the November any-weapon antlered hunt to either sex and increased tags from 120 to 200. f) Increased tags from 100 to 150 on the Teton Canyon antlerless controlled hunt. g) Added a new extra antlerless elk hunt with 100 tags in Teton Canyon.
These changes resulted in an increased harvest of approximately 150 antlerless and 50 antlered elk in 2025 when compared to 2024.
Elk abundance in the Island Park Zone has increased dramatically.
How would you prefer the Department to increase elk harvest in this area?
Replace most antlerless opportunities with additional A-tag opportunity following the archery season.
Replace most antlerless opportunities with the addition of any-weapon antlerless opportunity on a new B-tag.
Expand any-weapon extra tag opportunity in areas of the zone that currently do not have extra tags (tags in addition to a regular tag, allowing a hunter to possess 2 elk tags.)
Provide archery-only extra tag opportunity.
Increase the number of either-sex controlled hunt tags in November.
Increase the number of antlered controlled hunt tags in October.
How to provide feedback
View the proposed hunt options below and provide any additional thoughts in the comment box. Comments are most helpful when they are specific and detailed.
After the input period closes, staff will compile and review the feedback as one of several factors considered during the season-setting process. While public input is an important part of that process, final hunting season recommendations will also consider biological, social, and management objectives. All preliminary season proposals will be available for public input next February.
For questions or to provide additional comments, please contact Idaho Fish and Game Upper Snake Regional office at (208) 525-7290 and reference the wildlife scoping process.
This winter, Idaho Fish and Game will begin the process of proposing changes for the 2027 and 2028 hunting seasons. IDFG is already aware of the need to increase harvest in some areas due to growing wildlife populations that exceed management objectives and can provide more hunting opportunity. In these areas, the department is asking hunters to share their thoughts on potential hunting options before the official season-setting public comment period begins in early 2027.
Review the information and hunt options below and provide your feedback by August 31, 2026.
Overview
IDFG staff conducted an elk survey in January 2025 and found elk numbers were significantly above objectives. IDFG staff are concerned about the long-term impacts of this elevated abundance on disease prevalence, social tolerance, and habitat damage.
These objectives are set in our Elk Management Plan, which was last updated in 2024. Based on the number of calves observed during the 2025 survey, current harvest is still not accounting for recruitment, which means the population is likely still increasing. To move the population back towards management objectives, we need to harvest more elk. Attempts to increase harvest with late season hunts have not been successful and have also resulted in increased trespass and questionable/unlawful hunter behavior. We are therefore exploring options to increase harvest earlier in the season.
During the 2025 season setting process, we received a lot of great input from hunters and were able to incorporate some of that into the final proposals that were approved by the commission. However, other comments were a significant departure from what was proposed and scoped at that time, and therefore couldn’t be implemented. Some of that feedback is accounted for below.
Recent Hunt Modifications
During the 2025 season setting, we implemented the following changes to offer more opportunity and to move the population back towards our management plan objectives.
a) Added a new any-weapon controlled hunt in Island Park with 400 antlerless elk tags.
b) Increased antlerless elk tags on the Island Park controlled hunt from 400 to 1,000 and extended the dates.
c) Extended dates on the youth Island Park antlerless controlled hunt.
d) Increased tags from 40 to 100 on the early any-weapon antlered controlled hunt.
e) Modified the November any-weapon antlered hunt to either sex and increased tags from 120 to 200.
f) Increased tags from 100 to 150 on the Teton Canyon antlerless controlled hunt.
g) Added a new extra antlerless elk hunt with 100 tags in Teton Canyon.
These changes resulted in an increased harvest of approximately 150 antlerless and 50 antlered elk in 2025 when compared to 2024.
Options for Additional Opportunity
Elk abundance in the Island Park Zone has increased dramatically.
How would you prefer the Department to increase elk harvest in this area?
How to provide feedback
View the proposed hunt options below and provide any additional thoughts in the comment box. Comments are most helpful when they are specific and detailed.
After the input period closes, staff will compile and review the feedback as one of several factors considered during the season-setting process. While public input is an important part of that process, final hunting season recommendations will also consider biological, social, and management objectives. All preliminary season proposals will be available for public input next February.
For questions or to provide additional comments, please contact Idaho Fish and Game Upper Snake Regional office at (208) 525-7290 and reference the wildlife scoping process.