The Unicorn
| UP-FRONT FEES | |
| Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Adult) + Processing Fee | $195.00 |
| Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Youth) | $95.75 |
| Trophy Species Application Fee (Adult or Youth) | $45.75 |
| Bighorn Sheep, Moose, or Mtn Goat Tag (Adult or Youth) | $2,626.75 |
| Online & Phone Application Processing Fee (Adult) | $90.03 |
| Online & Phone Application Processing Fee (Youth) | $87.05 |
| Elk, Deer, Antelope Application Fee (Adult or Youth) + Processing Fee | $22.15 |
| POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL) | |
| Elk Tag | $651.75 |
| Deer Tag | $351.75 |
| Antelope Tag | $342.75 |
| Black Bear Tag | $231.75 |
| Wolf Tag | $31.75 |
| Junior Mentored Elk (10-17 years old) | $299.75 |
| Junior Mentored Deer (10-17 years old) | $176.75 |
| Junior Mentored Black Bear (10-17 years old) | $116.75 |
| Archery Permit | $81.75 |
| Muzzleloader Permit | $81.75 |
| All transactions that take place on the phone or online are subject to a processing fee. The only way to avoid processing fees is to apply at a regional F&G office with a debit card, personal check, or with cash. Credit cards used at regional offices incur a 3% processing fee. *Tag fees listed do not include online/phone application processing fees. |
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| UP-FRONT FEES | |
|---|---|
| Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Adult) | $15.75 |
| Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Youth) | $8.25 |
| Trophy Species Application Fee (Adult or Youth) | $16.75 |
| Bighorn Sheep, Moose, or Mtn Goat Tag (Adult or Youth) | $199.75 |
| Elk, Deer, Antelope Application Fee (Adult or Youth) | $6.25 |
| POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL) | |
| Elk Tag | $36.75 |
| Deer Tag | $24.75 |
| Antelope Tag | $36.50 |
| Black Bear Tag | $13.75 |
| Wolf Tag | $13.75 |
| Junior Mentored Elk (10-17 years old) | $18.75 |
| Junior Mentored Deer (10-17 years old) | $12.50 |
| Junior Mentored Black Bear (10-17 years old) | $7.75 |
| All transactions that take place on the phone or online are subject to a processing fee. The only way to avoid processing fees is to apply at a regional F&G office with a debit card, personal check, or with cash. Credit cards used at regional offices incur a 3% processing fee. *Tag fees listed do not include online/phone application processing fees. |
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| IDAHO ELK SEASON DATES | |
| Archery (General / Controlled) | Late Aug – late Sep 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| Rifle (General / Controlled) | Oct – Nov 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| Muzzleloader (General / Controlled) | Oct – Dec 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| IDAHO DEER SEASON DATES | |
| Archery (General / Controlled) | Late Aug – Sep 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| Rifle (General / Controlled) (Mule & Whitetail) | Oct – Nov 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| Muzzleloader (General / Controlled) | Nov – Dec 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| IDAHO ANTELOPE (PRONGHORN) SEASON DATES | |
| Archery (Controlled Hunts) | Mid-Aug – mid-Sep 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| Rifle (Controlled Hunts) | Sep 25 – Oct 24 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| IDAHO BLACK BEAR SEASON DATES | |
| Spring (Most Units) | Apr – Jun 2025 (bait/hound rules vary by unit) |
| Fall (Most Units) | Aug – Nov/Dec 2025 (unit-specific) |
| IDAHO MOUNTAIN LION SEASON DATES | |
| General (Most Units) | Aug 30, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 (unit-specific rules/limits) |
| IDAHO WOLF SEASON DATES | |
| General (Most Units) | Year-round or long seasons (unit-specific rules/limits) |
| IDAHO MOUNTAIN GOAT SEASON DATES | |
| Any Legal Weapon | Aug 30 – Nov 12, 2025 |
| IDAHO MOOSE SEASON DATES | |
| Any Legal Weapon | Sep – Nov 2025 (unit- & weapon-specific) |
| IDAHO BIGHORN SHEEP SEASON DATES | |
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Any Legal Weapon | Sep – Oct 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| California Bighorn Any Legal Weapon | Sep – Oct 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
Disclaimer: Idaho seasons vary by unit/zone, weapon, and tag type; some hunts are controlled with limited windows, quotas, or harvest closures. Always verify exact dates and regulations with Idaho Fish & Game before planning a hunt: https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/seasons
| YEAR | MOOSE, SHEEP & GOAT | DEER, ELK & ANTELOPE | SPRING BEAR | SECONDARY DRAW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 6, 11:54 a.m. (MDT) | June 12, 12:00 p.m. (MDT) | February 27 | August 21 |
| 2024 | May 8, 1:35 p.m. (MDT) | June 25, 10:27 a.m. (MDT) | February 28 | August 22 |
| 2023 | May 19, 1:45 p.m. (MDT) | June 29, 2:00 p.m. (MDT) | March 3 | August 23 |
| 2022 | May 19, 11:40 a.m. (MDT) | June 28, 8:40 p.m. (MDT) | March 4 | |
| 2021 | May 13, 10:50 a.m. (MDT) | July 1, 10:00 a.m. (MDT) | February 19 | |
| 2020 | May 15, 11:10 a.m. (MDT) | June 19, 2:30 p.m. (MDT) | February 21 | |
| 2019 | May 17 | June 25 | ||
| 2018 | June 8 | July 8 |
Idaho provides non-resident hunters a lot of elk hunting opportunities across the state, and the elk herd is healthy and increasing in most areas of the state. The total 2024 elk harvest was 20,996, which is almost a 12% increase in harvest compared to 2023. In 2024, 24% of all the elk hunters who purchased a tag were successful in taking an elk. Harvest success on the general hunts was 19% and on the controlled hunts was 42% in 2024. Of the 20,996 elk harvested, 12,610 were bulls.
| UNIT | COMMENTS |
|---|---|
| 250-45 | West Fork Bitterroot — 260–320"+ bulls. Mostly public USFS land with good access. Thick timber and rugged areas. Limited-entry due to lower elk numbers. Archery season best for trophies; rifle pushes bulls into thick country or out of unit. Population at objective. 1 non-resident tag issued in 2024. |
| 339-20 | Sieben & Sleeping Giant — 260–320"+ bulls. Private land prevalent, but Block Management provides access. Concurrent cow/spike hunts. Archery or opening-day rifle best before elk shift to private. Late season sees bulls drift to winter range. Population at objective. No non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 380-20 | Elkhorn & Radersburg — 260–320" bulls, 350"+ taken annually. Archery season prime for trophy bulls. Abundant public land with varied terrain from foothills to rugged country. Private ranches in Block Mgmt often hold best bulls. Concurrent cow/spike hunts increase pressure. Population below objective. 2 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 410-21 | Missouri River Breaks — 240–330"+ bulls. Giant unit of public/private land, rolling sage hills & timbered breaks. Boat or road access; Block Mgmt gives private access. Backpack hunts in Breaks offer low pressure. Population below objective; 96 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 411-21 | Snowy, Judith & Moccasin — 240–330"+ bulls. First-choice only. Mixed private/public; Big Snowies wilderness rugged—trailhead access only. Judith Mountains have top‐access public ridges. Population at objective; 193 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 417-21 | Armells Creek & Winifred — 240–330"+ bulls. First-choice only. Mostly private land; Block Mgmt & outfitter leases common. NE corner public BLM reachable by horse. Unit 426 private with some BLM pockets. onXmaps essential. Population at objective; 30 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 447-21 | Highwood, Belt & Square Butte — 240–330"+ bulls. First-choice only. Public pockets surrounded by private. FS trailheads & Block Mgmt access. Roadless, rugged; horses recommended. Population over objective; 57 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 455-21 | Beartooth WMA — 240–320" bulls. All public; non-motorized access only. Backpack/horse hunts into upper timbered elevations. Archery bulls in high country. Physically demanding. Population over objective; 10 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 595-21 | Bull Mtns, Pine Ridge, S. Snowy, Pryor & Crow Line — 240–350"+ bulls; 380"+ on private in units 535 & 590. First-choice only. Extensive private land; public in 535 & 555. Rolling foothills. Outfitters needed for private access. Population at objective; 263 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 620-21 | South Phillips & Upper/Middle W. Missouri Breaks — 240–330"+ bulls. Valid in 620–622 + CMR Refuge. Mix public/private & Block Mgmt. Boat/road access; sage flats to timbered coulees. Backpack hunts in coulees offer low pressure. Population below objective; 274 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 630-21 | South Valley & Lower Missouri Breaks — 240–330"+ bulls. Mainly public + CMR Refuge; Block Mgmt private. Southern section limited road access; boat/backpack into remote. Population below objective; 20 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 690-21 | Bear Paw Mtns, South Hill, Blaine & Choteau — 350–370"+ bulls annually. Top archery elk tag. Private land & Block Mgmt; some BLM in SE. onXmaps & outfitter recommended. Easy timbered foothills. Population at objective; 5 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 700-21 | Missouri River Breaks — Prairie — 240–320"+ bulls; 350" annually. Public/private + Block Mgmt. Sage hills & breaks; boat/road access. Dry years push elk to river. Population below objective; 79 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| 799-21 | Pine Hills (702, 704, 705) — 260–330"+ bulls; giants annually. First-choice only. SE corner; mostly private. Custer NF public pockets. Nomadic elk; private access critical—outfitter advised. Open with scattered timber. Population at objective; 93 non-resident tags in 2024. |
| UNIT | COMMENTS |
|---|---|
| 30A | Beaverhead — 240–280"+ either-sex tag. Smaller unit (50 tags) with private ag fields on valley floor (some Access Yes), plus steep, rocky sage/mahogany terrain to timbered high country. Plenty of public land and decent roads; elk often movement between hayfields and hills. |
| 39 | Boise River — 300–330"+ bulls on rut hunt. SW unit with low elk densities. Mix of public land, timbered canyons, high-country basins; good road, dirt-bike, and ATV access. Concurrent archery elk hunt (50 tags). Plan to cover ground. |
| 46-1 | South Hills — 280–330"+ potential. Valid in units 46 & 47. Open, big country with limited timber. Population down; tags cut. Good roads and public land, but elk scattered and moving into/out of Nevada; private-land closures possible. |
| 49 | Pioneer — 240–280"+ either-sex tag. Central unit with declining population and bull quality. Big public land area from rolling sage to high basins; good roads. Hunt after rifle seasons; requires off-road effort for muzzleloader success as elk move to winter ranges. |
| 50-1 | Pioneer — 240–300"+ either-sex tag. Portion of unit only (see regs). Mature bulls and numbers way down. Good public land and roads; elk scattered from sage flats to high basins. |
| 54 | South Hills — 350"+ bulls. Southcentral’s top elk hunt along Nevada border. Thriving population; bulls rutting at season start. Mix of timbered and open rolling country. 2020 fire impacts exist; some private land issues. |
| 55-2 | South Hills — 280–330" potential. Valid in units 55 & 57 post-rifle. High-country timbered drainages, rolling foothills, and desert. Good public land; private fields may hold elk, causing frustration. |
| 64-1 | Palisades — 240–280"+ bulls. Valid in units 64, 65 & 67. Early rut activity. Valley bottoms private; mountains public. Limited roads, good trail access. Ideal for backpack or horseback hunters. |
| 66-1 | Tex Creek — 260–300"+ either-sex tag. Valid in units 66 & 69. Early rut activity on both. Unit 66: public land, roads, trails; good backpack/horse area. Unit 69: mostly private sage/ag land; some state and Access Yes properties. |
| UNIT | COMMENTS |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Panhandle — either-sex tag across units 1,2,3,4,4A,5,6,7,9. Heavy timber, low elk densities, nine different unit terrains. Rifle hunt spans full rut; tough glassing, extensive scouting required. |
| 11 | Hells Canyon — 280–320"+ bulls. Extremely rugged timbered ridges to river breaks. Some private-land closures; strong backpacking or horseback skills needed. Unit improving; 2021 fire on SW side. |
| 18 | Hells Canyon (early dates) — 260–300"+ bulls. Big public-land unit of steep, rugged terrain. Early rut timing; top access via Granite/Sheep Creek or bottom via jet boat. Backpack or horses essential. |
| 23 | McCall — 260–300"+ bulls. Limited-draw unit with archery and later rifle. Timbered, steep country with burns for glassing. Day-huntable or pack‐in; lower areas mostly private—hunt early before deer shift. |
| 29 | Lemhi — 260–300"+ bulls. Plenty of public land but private ag bottomlands can frustrate. Day‐hunt possible; pack‐in or horseback gets remote country. 2023 fire impacts exist. |
| 30-1 | Beaverhead — 280–330"+ bulls. Valid in 30,30A,58,59,59A. Huge public-land unit with good roads, rolling sage foothills to timbered drainages. Excellent glassing terrain; hunt early with general deer season overlap. |
| 31 | Brownlee — 260–300"+ either-sex. High bull/cow ratio but slightly lower quality. North end public timber and sage; south mostly private. Youth elk hunt (50 tags) runs concurrently. |
| 36A-2 | Pioneer — 260–300"+ bulls. Valid in parts of 36A and north 50. Mix of sage foothills, mahogany winter ranges, timbered drainages, high basins. Day-hunt and wilderness options; better bulls in wild areas. |
| 37 | Lemhi — 260–300"+ bulls. Rolling sage lowlands to timbered upper drainages. Good glassing; valley bottoms private but ample public once above. Good roads to public hunts. |
| 37A | Lemhi — 260–300"+ bulls. Open sage hills into timbered drainages; steep rocky high country. Bottoms private; elk migrate to ag fields. Public land with road access; pack‐in/horse helpful. |
| 40 | Same as 40-1 but excluding units 41 & 42. Later dates, better draw odds; tougher due to elk movement out of unit and fractured herds. |
| 40-1 | West Owyhee — 350"+ bulls. Valid in 40,42 & 41 W of Hwy 51. Best rifle rut unit: timbered ridges, sage hills, flat desert. Good roads; some private closures. 25 archery tags concurrent. |
| 41 | East Owyhee — 300–340"+ bulls. All of unit 41. Wide open country, public land but some private/reservation. Bulls rutting; cross-border movement into Nevada possible. |
| 42 | West Owyhee — 320–350"+ bulls. Early archery/rifle tags for 40-1 valid. Desert country; mostly public, some private. Winter elk influx; high success but extensive country coverage needed. |
| 43 | Smoky/Bennett (central) — 260–300"+ potential. Huge drainages, trails, motorcycle access. Steep rugged terrain; timber pockets to high basins. Good for horseback. Later rifle hunt Oct 15–Nov 10 (125 tags). |
| 44 | Smoky/Bennett — 300–330"+ rut hunt. Rolling sage to steeper country, timbered draws. Public land with some private bottomlands. Consistently high-success first rifle hunt. |
| 45 | Smoky/Bennett — 280–320"+ potential. Physically easier: rolling sage/grass/lava. Public land with excellent roads; roadless holds less pressured herds. Rutting early; new elk move in later. |
| 46-1 | South Hills — 260–320"+ potential. Valid in 46 & 47. Big open unit, little timber. Tags cut; quality down but bulls remain. Public land roads; elk movement into Nevada can complicate. |
| 48 | Smoky/Bennett (central) — 260–320"+ potential. Similar to 43: big drainages, good public/trail access, steep rugged. Later rifle Oct 15–Nov 10 (150 tags). |
| 49 | Pioneer — 240–300"+ rut hunt. Central unit, light hunting pressure. Excellent glassing hills; general deer season Oct 10 opens early. Later rifle Oct 15–31 (175 tags). |
| 50-1 | Pioneer — 240–300"+ bulls. Portion of unit only; general deer season crowds from Oct 10. Public land roads; elk scattered from sage flats to basins. |
| 51 | Lemhi — 260–300"+ bulls. East steep rocky/timbered; west timbered ridges. Valley floor private. Later rifle Nov 1–30 (125 tags). |
| 52 | Smoky/Bennett — 260–320"+ potential. Public land rolling desert; good roads. Bulls rut early; movement into private fields possible. |
| 54 | South Hills — 340–350"+ bulls. Southcentral’s premium unit; thriving population; timbered & open terrain; 2020 fire scars; border Nevada/Utah. |
| 55-1 | South Hills — 280–320"+ bulls. Valid in 55,56,57. Mix of drainages, foothills, desert. Public land glassing; private fields can draw elk. Rut early. |
| 58-1 | Beaverhead — 260–320"+ bulls. Valid in 58,59,59A. Huge public unit, sage to rugged country. MT elk influx in places; good roads. |
| 60-1 | Island Park — 260–320"+ bulls. Valid in 60,61,62A. Improved tags; timbered moderate-to-physical terrain. Border bowhunter flushes; grizzly country caution. |
| 66A-1 | Diamond Creek — 260–320"+ bulls. Valid in 66A & 76. Rolling timbered ridges, foothills. Good numbers; some private issues; backpack/horse options for seclusion. |
| 70-1 | Bannock — 260–320"+ rut hunt. Valid in 70,71,72,73,73A,74. Varied terrain: desert to timber. Good public land & roads; later rifle Oct 15–24 (250 tags). |
| 75-1 | Bear River — 240–300"+ bulls. Valid in 75,77,78. Small mountain range; timbered drainages. Bulls vocal; public roads; private lower fields. Follow with general rifle after. |
The Idaho elk application deadline is June 5, 2025. Successful applicants must purchase their tags by August 1, 2025.
Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location - application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions, other tag opportunites, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research, join today!
For archery hunters, Idaho provides some great opportunities and long season dates. For the best limited-entry archery hunts in the state, look at units 40 and 54. Each of these hunts offers good success rates and the potential for a 350”+ bull. Other really good archery limited-entry hunts are units 18, 39, 44, 45, and 46. If you are looking to get a general archery elk tag and want to start your research, we recommend you look at the units within the Salmon, Lemhi, Beaverhead, Pioneer, Brownlee, South Hills, and Diamond Creek zones.
The majority of Idaho’s elk hunting is managed to maximize opportunity for hunters. This is great as there is a ton of opportunity when it comes to its elk hunting. Idaho has a lot of different terrain from the tree-covered panhandle up on the Canadian line all the way to the southern deserts along the Nevada and Utah borders. Elk are spread throughout the state which gives hunters many different types of terrain to hunt. This offers every type of hunt an elk hunter could want. Any hunter can find an elk hunt that would suit their own personal style of hunting in Idaho.
| IDAHO ELK SEASON DATES | 2025–2026 SEASON DATES |
|---|---|
| Archery (General / Controlled) | Late Aug – late Sep 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| Rifle (General / Controlled) | Oct – Nov 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
| Muzzleloader (General / Controlled) | Oct – Dec 2025 (permit- and unit-specific) |
Disclaimer: Idaho seasons vary by zone/unit, weapon, and tag type; many elk hunts follow the A/B tag structure. Verify exact dates with Idaho Fish & Game: https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/seasons
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Idaho only manages a handful of units for trophy bulls, and if you are looking for a 350”+ bull, you should stick with our top picks of units 40, 42, and 54. Other early season rifle hunts that can produce a few great bulls are units 1-2, 30, 41, 44, 45, 46, 52, 55, and 66A. Some late rifle hunts that still produce better bulls are 40, 41, and 46. If you are looking for an opportunity at a 300”+ type bulls with better odds of drawing a tag, there are plenty of hunts listed in the tables to choose from. Idaho really has an elk hunt for everyone with so many different units and seasons.
Idaho’s best elk tag is the unit 54 muzzleloader hunt that opens on September 25th. The bulls will be rutting, and hunters will have plenty of big bulls to chase. Typically, there are some 380”+ bulls taken on this hunt. Another rut muzzleloader hunt is unit 39. This hunt takes place the entire month of September and always produces a few 330”+ bulls. Units 46-1 and 50 have an October 1st opener, and hunters will enjoy some bugling bulls with not a lot of hunting pressure during those hunts. Some better draw odds can be found in the November muzzleloader hunts in units 30A, 49, and 55-2. These units are good hunts for someone who wants to hunt hard for wintering bulls. New for 2025, Idaho changed their muzzleloader rules, and starting July 1st, sabots will be legal.
Advisor Articles from Our Magazine on Idaho Application and Hunting Strategy
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