Idaho’s 2025 regulations for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat are available. View a pdf copy of the regulations at idfg.idaho.gov/rules/moose-sheep-goat. Idaho publishes two-year regulations for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat with season dates and permit numbers being identical for two years. This is the first year of the two-year cycle. Idaho’s regulations for elk, mule deer, and antelope are also available and will be covered in our May issue.

The controlled hunt application period is April 1-30. A maximum of two hunters may apply as a party for bighorn sheep, moose, or mountain goat. However, we do not recommend that non-residents apply as a party as the permit numbers are low and this may prevent your party from drawing. You can apply online starting April 1st by going to gooutdoorsidaho.com. Applications are also accepted over the phone by calling 800-554-8685. Additional charges will be assessed for online and phone applications, including a 3% surcharge of the total application amount plus a minimal transaction fee. You may also apply at any hunting or fishing license vendor or Idaho Fish and Game office and avoid the 3% surcharge. Mail-in applications are not accepted for controlled hunt drawings.

You can only apply for one species between bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and moose. If you apply for bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or moose, you may not apply for any other big game controlled hunts (like elk, deer, or antelope) unless the controlled hunt has a different application period. For all hunt choices listed on the application, everyone’s first choice is awarded before anyone’s second choice is considered. Simply put, your first choice is the only one that counts in regard to bighorn sheep, trophy bull moose, and mountain goat permits. In the controlled hunts with 10 or fewer permits, no more than one non-resident permit may be issued for that particular unit. In the controlled hunts with more than 10 permits, no more than 10% of the permits may be issued to non-residents. Non-residents are also not allowed to be more than 10% of the total number of controlled hunt permits issued statewide for each species.

Upon submission of your application, you will be charged the entire permit, license, and application fees. Only the $2,626.75 permit fee will be refunded if unsuccessful. Hunting license fees ($195) and application fees ($45.75) will not be refunded if you do not draw. Application processing fees will not be refunded. Fees must be paid for by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.

There is not a point system in Idaho.

The odds in our tables will provide you the most realistic draw odds as a non-resident. Notice that most draw odds are near equal across many sheep and goat hunts with the way that Idaho conducts the draw. Draw odds were calculated by simulating the draw based off of real applicant data, taking into account the 10% non-resident cap.

Idaho offers a youth hunting license and access fee for $95.75.

For moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep, you may use any legal weapon. If you choose to use a muzzleloader, it must be at least .50 caliber. If you choose to use a bow, it must be at least 40 pounds of draw weight and not have any device that holds your bow at full draw. Your arrow must meet all of the following criteria: 24" long, minimum of 300 grains, and a mechanical or fixed broadhead at least 7/8" wide with a primary cutting edge less than 0.015" thick. You may not have any electronic or tritium-powered devices attached to your arrow or bow except for lighted nocks, which are allowed.

Any leftover moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat permits from the first drawing will go into a second drawing. There most likely won’t be any leftover bighorn sheep, trophy bull moose, or mountain goat permits. The application period for the second drawing for leftover bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or moose permits is June 15-25, with the drawing to be held around June 30th. Non-resident quotas do not apply in the second drawing. Idaho does not have landowner permits for bighorn sheep, moose, or mountain goat. The Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation will raffle off a bighorn sheep permit on the last Friday in July at the IDFG headquarters. This permit will be valid in any bighorn sheep unit, including unit 11, for 2025. Go to idahowildsheep.org for more information. Entries are $20 each.

Idaho also offers Super Tags for deer, elk, antelope, and moose. These tags are good for any season on any unit. Hunters must abide by the same regulations as regular draw tag hunters. There are two drawings for these tags. The deadline to apply for the first drawing is May 31st, and the second drawing deadline is August 10th. Applications must be received by these dates to apply. The proceeds are used to fund the “Access Yes!” program. For more information, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov/superhunt.

The Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation will raffle off a bighorn sheep tag in late July 2025. This tag will be valid in all units, EXCEPT unit 11, during the 2025 season. Visit www.idahowildsheep.org for more information.

Idaho has an “Access Yes!” program which allows the public more access on private and public lands for hunting and fishing. To learn more about the “Access Yes!” program, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov/yes. Idaho’s Super Hunt program helps fund this program.

Most of Idaho’s hunting units will have some private/public land issues that can inhibit the access to public land. An onXmaps Hunt membership is highly recommended to help navigate private/public land boundaries and trailheads. Idaho also has the "Access Yes!" program where hunters can access private property for free. This program provides access to hundreds of thousands of acres of both public and private land and is partially funded by the Super Hunt Tag program. To learn more about the "Access Yes!" program, go to https://idfg.idaho.gov/yes.

Idaho requires non-residents riding in Idaho to purchase a non-resident off-highway vehicle (OHV) sticker. The fee will be the same $12 that Idaho residents are currently required to purchase. Non-residents may purchase their OHV registration sticker on the IDPR website at https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/.