Backcountry Rifle Elk Hunt '26

Big Game

Idaho manages big game through a mix of general season tags (available first-come) and controlled hunts (limited-entry tags by lottery draw). Many hunts for deer and elk are general season, meaning tags can be purchased over the counter by both resident and non-resident hunters until quotas are met, but the number of general season tags for non-residents is limited and is usually sold out quickly. Hunters can purchase over-the-counter tags any time beginning December 1 for the coming year.

Controlled hunt applications require an active Idaho hunting license to apply.

Key application deadlines: for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat, the application period is April 1 – April 30 (results in May).

For deer, elk, pronghorn, and fall black bear/turkey, the first application period is May 1 – early June (usually June 5).

Controlled hunt drawings are held in June, with results posted by late June or early July. Idaho also conducts Second Drawings for any tags left over or unclaimed: a second application period in early August (August 5–15) for deer, elk, pronghorn, etc. with results by late August Unclaimed controlled tags or any surplus after that are sold OTC in a late summer “leftover” sale.

Important for applicants: you cannot apply for multiple species controlled hunts in the same year in certain combinations. Idaho’s rules state that if you apply for a moose, sheep, or goat controlled hunt, you may not apply for any deer, elk, or pronghorn controlled hunt in that year (except you could still buy general tags). Also, each hunter can put in for only one controlled hunt per species (with second and third choice options on the application).

Black Bear and Mountain Lion: Tags are bought OTC (general seasons) – each tag is species- and year-specific. You can often buy a second tag for bear or lion in many units.

Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat tags are scarce and are generally considered to be once in a lifetime opportunities.

Small Game

Idaho has abundant small game and upland bird hunting, much of which is available with just a basic hunting license and no special permit required. Small game in Idaho includes upland game birds (pheasant, quail, grouse (ruffed, sage, spruce, dusky), chukar and gray partridge),

cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares, and furbearers/predators (red fox, coyotes – though coyotes are unprotected and can be taken year-round without a license by residents on private land, but a license is needed on public land). Migratory game birds include ducks, geese, coots, dove (mourning and Eurasian collared), snipe, and sandhill crane (in limited areas).

A standard Idaho hunting license allows the take of all upland game and migratory game birds, but certain species require additional permits or validations:

• Migratory Bird (HIP) Permit - all migratory bird hunters (dove, ducks, geese, crane) must have this HIP validation on their license each year
• Federal Duck Stamp – Required for waterfowl hunters age 16+
• Turkey tags can be bought OTC and need to be carried along with your license, and validated after harvest
• Upland Game Bird Permit for Pheasants

Documents that you need for hunting in Idaho

• Idaho Hunting License – Required for both residents and non-residents to hunt any game (small or big). Non-residents also have the option of a combined hunting/fishing license. You must have a license before applying for any controlled hunts
• Tag(s) and permits for the target species
• Archery and/or Muzzleloader Permit – A separate archery permit is required to participate in any archery-only big game hunt, and a muzzleloader permit for muzzleloader-only hunts
• Hunter Education Card
• Hunting Passport (if applicable) – This is a special document for first-time hunters (resident or non-resident) 8 years and older who have not completed hunter education It allows the holder to hunt under mentor supervision without a hunter ed certificate for one year. If using this, you must have the physical Hunting Passport and be with a qualified adult mentor at all times. (Passport holders age 8–9 can hunt small game; must be 10 to hunt big game under the program)

Minimum Hunter Age

Idaho’s minimum hunting age and youth hunting regulations are designed to encourage mentored hunting. The state does not have a strict minimum age for hunting small game – under the Hunting Passport program, kids as young as 8 years old can legally hunt (small game) under supervision. For a standard license, the minimum age is 10 years old.

Links to Read More Information

• Idaho Fish and Game: idfg.idaho.gov