Idaho Moose

After many consecutive years of a declining population, Idaho’s overall moose numbers have finally begun to stabilize. It has been over a decade since Idaho has had as good of a season as last year’s. Overall, hunter success was 83%, up 6% over the 10-year average. The average antler spread also checked in at 37 4/8”, an inch better than its 10-year measurements. There is finally some hope that the future is looking brighter than the past for those looking to find themselves on a moose hunt in Idaho.

For the new regulation cycle beginning in 2025, there will be a reduction of only four bull tags statewide. Decreases in hunter success and field observations have resulted in tag cuts on a few of the Clearwater region hunts. Unit 10-1 will have a reduction of two tags, and units 10-4 and 12-1 will each be cut by one tag. The hunt in unit 27 has been eliminated altogether, and this will only be reported over the next span of seasons. Also, unit 57 has been split off from the 55 hunt and will now be a standalone hunt with the one tag being offered there. The growing moose population in 57 along with the disproportionate amount of hunter effort being focused on the 55 side of the area necessitated this change. A boundary change in 1-3 was made as well.

Idaho still holds some of the best available Shiras moose drawing odds for non-residents, mostly due to the diverse units and the high non-refundable fee structure. The approach to selecting a unit for your application is quite different than it should be if you are a sheep or goat applicant because of the variety of units with difficult access or decreased opportunity totals, thus attracting fewer applicants, residents and non-residents alike. If you have had Shiras moose on your list of species you’d like to hunt someday, Idaho should be first on your application strategy. There is no point system, yet an abundance of quality options. This provides for a great draw opportunity when looking at the dismal odds in other states that have a mature point system.

As you research and try to narrow down the hunt you want to apply for in Idaho, keep in mind that this is not managed for 100% success like other once-in-a-lifetime hunts are in other western states. Hunter permits for the northern part of the state may struggle to even find moose, let alone tell they are on a mature bull. Long seasons and late season snowstorms may be critical to your success in tracking down a bull in the thick, steep terrain here.

In 2024, total non-resident applications only increased slightly to 1,311, with 51 applicants being successful in drawing bull moose tags. Remember that the non-resident cap of 10% is an “up to” cap and not a set aside quota. All applicants are in the draw until the 10% cap is reached. We highly encourage you to be selective in what you want to tackle this year if you are lucky enough to draw a tag. Do not only select a hunt based off draw odds or because smaller hunts in Central Idaho have had horrible success rates for many years. Don’t forget to apply before April 30th!

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