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Field Guide  /  State Hunting Guide

Your Guide to Hunting in Idaho 2025

Author Image for Teri Williams

10 Minute Read

The potential for a record big game trophy — or a gray wolf — is reason enough to hunt in Idaho this year. But you might also be drawn to this state for the ample upland bird hunting opportunities.

Bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goats, antelope, deer, and bear make Idaho a destination location for many hunters looking for an excellent big-game hunting experience. So, if you have your eye on something big, it's time to start planning your hunt.

HuntWise is here to help! We've gathered the information you need about season dates, bag limits, and hunting licenses. We'll also help you find the best locations to hunt game — large or small.

Updated September 9, 2025

An illustration of a U.S. map highlighting the state of Idaho.

Why Do Hunters Hunt in Idaho?

We've already given you a hint. Hunters come to Idaho for big game and trophy hunts. Is a mountain lion hunt on your bucket list? Idaho can make that happen for you.  

But you can also hunt deer, turkey, and waterfowl (including swans). You'll also find some of the best upland bird hunting in the country, from pheasants to grouse and more.

So, whether you live in Idaho or plan to travel there for an out-of-state hunt, it's an excellent place for a hunt this year.

Where Should I Hunt?

Idaho offers an abundance of public land opportunities in the spirit of providing plenty of access to the sport of hunting. Additionally, the Access Yes! program helps create more ways to get to public land through private land by partnering with landowners who provide access.

With the HuntWise app, you can scout the land and understand boundaries to find the best places (and permissions) for your hunt. Our 3-D maps and layers help you visualize Idaho's varying terrain, from the desert conditions in the southern part of the state to the forests and high mountains up north.  

 

A pronghorn stands alone in tall brush, hunting in Idaho concept.

When Can I Hunt?

Herein lies your first challenge when planning to go hunting in Idaho! The state has a very detailed system of season dates based on hunting units, antlered vs. antlerless hunts, and weapon types, depending on the species you are after. You'll want to read the state's information closely to have your license and tags in hand for the hunt that fits your schedule, preferred locations, and take method.

Note that the information we provide is the latest available from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG). We'll update this guide with the latest season information as new details become available.

While our guide is an excellent resource for planning your season, we also recommend checking official resources for the latest hunting season dates.
 

Idaho Deer Season

Season dates are determined by hunting areas and other specifics (antler vs. antlerless, archery, general firearms, muzzleloader, mule deer vs. white-tailed, etc.).

Reference the IDFG big game season guide for the latest details to plan your hunt.

  • Archery: Begins August 30 through various ending dates

  • General Any Weapon: Begins September 15 through various ending dates

  • Muzzleloader: Begins August 30 through various ending dates

  • White-tailed Deer General Any Weapon: Begins September 15 through various ending dates

  • White-tailed Deer General Archery Only: Begins August 30 through various ending dates

  • White-tailed Deer Short-Range Weapon: Begins October 10 through various ending dates

  • Controlled Hunts: See the IDFG season guide for the latest information

Elk

Much like the deer season dates, elk open season dates are determined by hunting areas and other specifics. Refer to the IDFG big game season guide for the latest details to plan your hunt.

Season dates range from August 1 through December 31.

Antelope

All antelope (pronghorn) hunts are through controlled hunts.

  • Either Sex: September 25 – October 24, 2025

  • Doe or Fawn: October 25 – November 30, 2025

  • Archery Only: Various dates from August 15 to September 15, 2025

  • Muzzleloader: Various dates from August 15 to October 24, 2025

  • Short-Range Weapon: September 25 to October 24, 2025

  • Youth Only: Various dates from August 8 to December 31

Idaho Bear Season

Hunting areas and other specifics determine spring and fall black bear season dates. Refer to the IDFG big game season guide for the latest details.

  • Spring: Dates vary from April 1 through July 31, 2026

  • Fall: Dates vary from August 30 through November 30, 2025

Mountain Lion

Hunters can go after mountain lions throughout most months of the year, but it's still crucial to check the dates that apply to specific hunt areas. If you plan to hunt with dogs, you'll also want to check the dates that dogs are prohibited for hunts.

The open season starts July 1 and runs with varying closing dates through June 30.

Gray Wolf

Season dates vary based on hunting units (public land) and private land hunts. Check the IDFG big game season guide for the latest dates and rules for baiting and trapping.

Moose

  • Controlled Hunts: Dates vary starting September 15. Check the IDFG season guide for details.

  • Antlered (Archery Only): August 30 – November 23

Bighorn Sheep

You'll need to draw a tag to get out for a bighorn sheep hunt. These are controlled hunts only.

Dates vary based on the controlled hunt area starting August 30 and run through October 13.

Mountain Goat

Mountain goat hunts are also controlled hunts. The season dates are August 30 – November 12.

Turkey

Spring:

  • Youth Only: April 8 – April 14 or April 8 – May 25, 2025 (depending on the hunt unit)
  • Male or Bearded: April 15 – May 25, 2025 (April 15 – 30 archery only)
  • Controlled:
    • Youth Only (Male or Bearded): April 8 – May 25, 2025
    • Male or Bearded: April 15 – May 25, April 15 – 30, or May 1 – 25, 2025 (depending on the hunt area)


Fall:

  • General Seasons Either-sex: 
    • GMU 1, 2 (except Farragut State Park and WMA), 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7 & 9: August 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026 
    • GMU 2 (Farragut State Park and WMA only): November 1 – December 1, 2025
    • GMU 8, 8A, 10A, 11, 11A, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 18: August 30 - December 31, 2025
    • GMU 10, 12, 16A, 17, 19, & 20: August 30 – October 9, 2025
    • GMU Units 21, 21A, 29, 30, and that portion of Unit 28 downstream from the Hat Creek drainage: August 30 – December 31, 2025
    • Outside the National Forest System boundary in Units 22, 31, 32 (except that portion in Payette County), & 32A: August 30 – October 9, 2025
    • GMU 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, & 78: August 30 – November 30, 2025
  • Controlled Hunts:
    • Youth Only (Either-sex): 
      • Hunt 9011: August 30 – October 9, 2025
      • Hunt 9012: September 15 – 30, 2025 
    • Either Sex:
      • Hunt 9013: October 10 – December 31, 2025
      • Hunt 9014: September 15 – December 31, 2025
      • Hunt 9015: September 15 – October 9, 2025
      • Hunt 9016: September 15 – November 30, 2025

Upland Game

Forest Grouse

  • Area 1: August 30, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Area 2: August 30 – December 31, 2025


California and Bobwhite Quail

  • Area 1: September 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Area 2: Closed


Chukar and Gray Partridge: September 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Sage-Grouse: September 20 – October 31, 2025

Sharp-Tailed Grouse: 

  • Area 1: October 1 – 31, 2025

  • Area 2: Closed


Pheasants (no Hens)

  • Area 1: October 11 – December 31, 2025 (residents) and October 17 – December 31, 2025 (nonresidents)
  • Area 2: October 18 – November 30, 2025 (residents) and October 24 – November 30, 2025 (nonresidents)
  • Area 3: October 18 – December 31, 2025 (resident) and October 23 – December 31, 2025 (nonresident)
  • Youth: October 4 – 10, 2025


Cottontail and Snowshoe Hare: August 30, 2025 – March 31, 2026

Red Squirrel: August 30, 2025 – March 31, 2026

For more details on upland game and trapping season dates and rules, check the IDFG upland game guide.

Migratory Birds

Duck, Snipe, and Coot

  • Area 1: October 19, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (Scaup November 7, 2025 – January 31, 2026)
  • Area 2: October 4, 2025 – January 16, 2026 (Scaup October 4 – December 28, 2025)
  • Area 3: October 4, 2025 – January 16, 2026 (Scaup October 23, 2025 – January 16, 2026)


Canada Goose

  • Area 1: October 19, 2025 – January 31, 2026 
  • Area 2: October 4, 2025 – January 16, 2026
  • Area 3: November 3, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • Area 4: September 1 – 15, 2025 and October 4, 2025 – January 1, 2026


White-Fronted Goose

  • Area 1: October 4, 2025 – January 16, 2026
  • Area 2: October 19, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Area 3: November 3, 2025 – February 15, 2026


Light Goose

  • Area 1: October 4, 2025 – January 16, 2026
  • Area 2: October 19, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Area 3: October 19 – December 24, 2025, and February 1 – March 10, 2026
  • Area 4: October 4 – December 24, 2025, and February 16 – March 10, 2026


Swan

  • Controlled Season: October 4 – December 1, 2025


Dove (Mourning and White-Winged)

  • Regular Firearm: September 1 – October 30, 2025


Crow: October 27, 2025 – February 28, 2026

Sandhill Crane: September 1–15, 2025, September 16–30, 2025. or September 1–30, 2025 depending on tag type.

For more specifics about migratory bird seasons and rules, check the IDFG migratory bird guide.

Coyote

No closed season

 

 

A pheasant takes flight from the ground, hunting in Idaho concept.

What Do I Need to Know About Idaho Hunting Regulations?

All hunters must pass a hunter education course, either online or an in-person course. Once completed, you can get your hunting license for any game and season that doesn't go through a draw system to award tags.

Hunters can purchase licenses online.

If your hunt takes place through a draw, you'll want to pay close attention to the application dates so you don't miss your chance to hunt one of the big game species you have your eye on. Check the IDFG website for details.

What are the Bag Limits?

How many coyotes, gray wolves, or pheasants can you bring home this year? To comply with Idaho hunting regs, make sure you know the bag limits for every animal you plan to hunt. 

Check out the overview below.

 

Deer1 per tagPheasants3 roosters per day (9 roosters in possessions)
Antelope1 per tagCottontail or Snowshoe Hare8 per day (24 in possession)
Black Bear1 per tagRed Squirrel8 per day (24 in possession)
Mountain Lion1 per tagDuck7 of any kind per day (3x the daily in possession)
Gray WolfNo limit (but only one per legal tag)Wilson's Snipe8 per day (3x the daily in possession)
Moose1 anterless and 1 antlered (lifetime)Coots25 per day (3x the daily in possession)
Bighorn Sheep1 Rocky Mountain and 1 California (lifetime)Canada Goose5 per day (15 in possession)
Mountain Goat1 lifetimeWhite-Fronted Geese10 per day (30 in possession)
Elk1 per tagLight Goose20 per day (60 in possession)
Turkey2 male per day (spring), 1 either-sex per tagSwan1 per day (1 in possession)
Forest Grouse4 per day (12 in possession)Dove15 per day (45 in possession)
Quail10 per day (30 in possession)CrowNo limits
Partridge8 Chukar and 8 Partridge per day (24 each in possession)Sandhill Crane2 per day (2 for the season)
Sharp-Tailed Grouse2 per day (6 in possession)CoyoteNo limits
Sage Grouse2 per day and season  

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

When hunting in Idaho, you need the right gear!

Successful hunts — especially big game hunts — require gear like a good hunting knife, a solid pair of binoculars, the right clothing (depending on the season), and a good rifle for those big game hunts.

Remember: As you get geared up for your hunt, use your gear discounts through our HuntWise partners. From optics to odor control and clothing, HuntWise hunting app users can save hundreds on gear.

Sideview of two bighorn sheep standing on a rocky ledge.

HuntWise Guides You to Success When Hunting in Idaho

We hope the information we've shared in this guide helps you plan your hunts in Idaho this season! Remember also to consult official resources when finalizing your plans, as information can change.

What else do you need for success? The HuntWise hunting app! It's the best tool for hunters to scout and plan a hunt before heading out, giving you an advantage over other hunters and an efficient (and successful) day in the field.

HuntWise is the best hunting app for e-scouting private or public hunting land. Plus, Elite subscribers get access to more tools in the app, including up to 15 days of animal activity and weather forecasting.

Download the app and start your free trial to be ready for opening day!

Content most recently reviewed and updated for the latest season dates and details September 9, 2025, 2025. 

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