Idaho’s unique scenery offers thrilling chances to hunt different big and small targets, including water birds during the 2025 game schedule. Idaho caters to all skill sets, with tough mountains filled with bighorn sheep and elk, and wide lowlands teeming with deer and small game. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission schedules annual hunting times, ensuring that our animal communities continue to thrive for years to come.

Understanding the rules and figuring out the season’s specific dates can be tough. But don’t worry. This guide provides a detailed checklist for the latest Idaho hunting calendar. It includes all the important resources and information you need for a fun, safe outdoor expedition.

Idaho Hunting Timetable

Here’s a unique and concise breakdown of Idaho’s hunting seasons in a clean, easy-to-read format:

🦌 Deer Hunting

White-tailed Deer

Primary Period: Oct 10 – Dec 1, 2025
Top Units: 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5, 6
CWD Testing Required: Units 14, 18, 23, 24, 32A, parts of Unit 1

Mule Deer

General Season: Aug 30 – Dec 31 (varies by unit)
Archery Focus: Early dates in select units
Muzzleloader: Special primitive weapon windows
Youth Hunts: Dedicated early periods

🦌 Elk Expeditions

Panhandle Zone:
A-tag: Muzzleloader (Oct 10-31)
B-tag: Any weapon (Oct 10 – Nov 14)
Statewide Zones: 28 zones with controlled draws
Second Tags: Residents can buy extras in select areas

🐻 Black Bear

Fall Season: Aug 30 – Oct 31, 2025
Spring Season: Apr 15 – Jun 30, 2026
Rules:
Baiting allowed with permits
Online ID test required
Mandatory check within 10 days

🏜️ Pronghorn

Archery: Aug 15 – Sep 15
General Season: Sep 25 – Oct 24
Application Window: May 1 – Jun 5

🦁 Mountain Lion

Open Year-Round: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026
Dog Restrictions: Varies by unit
Second Tags: Available in Units 10A, 45

🐺 Gray Wolf

Season: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026
Public Land: Apr 1 – Nov 14 (standard methods)
Expanded Methods: Nov 15 – Mar 31
No Bag Limit

🦃 Turkey

Spring

Youth-Only: Apr 8-14, 2025
General Season: Apr 15 – May 25

Fall

Extended Units (1-7,9): Aug 30 – Jan 31
Standard Units (8-18): Aug 30 – Dec 31
Limited Units (10-20): Aug 30 – Oct 9

🦊 Furbearers

Panhandle Region

Bobcat: Dec 14 – Feb 16
Marten: Nov 1 – Jan 31
Beaver/Mink: Nov 1 – Mar 31

Other Regions

Beaver: Oct 15 – Apr 15 (varies)
River Otter: Quota system (165 total)

🐦 Upland Birds

Forest Grouse

Area 1: Aug 30, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Area 2: Aug 30 – Dec 31, 2025

Pheasant

Area 1 Residents: Oct 11 – Dec 31
Youth Weekend: Oct 4-10

🦆 Waterfowl

Ducks

Area 1: Oct 19, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Areas 2-3: Oct 4 – Jan 16

Geese

Canada Goose: Oct 19 – Jan 31 (Area 1)
Light Geese: 20 daily, spring conservation Feb-Mar

🕊️ Other Birds

Dove: Sep 1 – Oct 30
Sandhill Crane: Sep 1-30 (Bear Lake)

🏔️ Premium Species

Moose: Aug 30 – Nov 23 (controlled draws)
Bighorn Sheep: Aug 30 – Oct 13
Mountain Goat: Aug 30 – Nov 12

ID Hunt Regulations

Licenses and Tags:

Everyone who hunts must have a proper license or a passport.
If you’re taking migratory birds, you need a Federal Migratory Bird Stamp and HIP permit.
You can buy a second tag and choose either regular or white-tailed deer tags.
Nonresidents have some restrictions on general season deer and elk tags.
During certain seasons, archery and muzzleloader permits are a must.
If you hunt and capture deer, elk, or moose in certain zones, you must get a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) test within 10 days.
Remember to report your harvest within 10 days.

General Regulations:

All hunters need to take a compulsory training course.
Use non-toxic ammunition for waterfowl hunts.
A limit exists on how many migratory game birds one can bag or possess.
Birds must be tagged before transporting or storing them.
You can’t hunt everywhere; National Parks and some state parks are off-limits.
Having a permit for bird-dog training is a must when training on either public or private territory.
Remember, shooting firearms within state parks is only allowed for self-protection or lawful pursuing.

Big Game:

One deer per approved tag.
What’s an antlered deer? Just one antler needs to be longer than 3 inches.
Not too savvy on two-point deer? Means it has no more than two points on one side, not forgetting one antler that’s over 3 inches.
What’s a three-point deer? It’s one that has at least three points on one antler.
Got spare deer/elk tags? They’re valid for other species in the same game area.

Turkey:

There’s a specified time in spring and fall and tags are needed.
Young hunters, ages 10 to 17, are welcome in the general season.
Those holding a Hunting Passport, aged 8 or 9, can join some hunts.
Only ages 10 to 17 can apply for controlled hunts.
Remember, it’s illegal to use lead shot larger than BB size or steel shot larger than T size.
Keep note: only two male turkeys can be bagged each day during spring.

Idaho Hunting Licenses, Tags, and Fees

Licenses/Permits/Tags	Resident Price	Non-Resident Price
Hunting & Trapping
Adult	$15.75, $12.75, 3-Year: $34.75	$185, 3-Year: $551.50
Junior	$8.25, $7.25, 3-Year: $18.25	$91.75, 3-Year: $271.75
Shooting Preserve	–	$26
Nongame	–	$39
Small Game	–	$141.75, 3-Day: $71.75
Salmon/Steelhead (3-Day)	–	$44.75
Trapping Adult	$29.75, $26.75	$331.75
Trapping Junior	$8.25, $7.25	–

Combination
Sportsman’s Package (Combo + Tags/Permits)	$144.60, $124.25	–
Adult	$38.75, $33.50, 3-Year: $97	$264, 3-Year: $788.50
Junior	$19, $17.50, 3-Year: $49	–
Senior	$13.75, $11.75, 3-Year: $31.75	–
DAV	$5.75, $5, 3-Year: $11.50	–
Military	$20.50, $17.50	–

Fees
Access/Depredation (Adult)	$5, 3-Year: $10	$10, 3-Year: $20
Access/Depredation (Jr/DAV)	$2, 3-Year: $4	$4, 3-Year: $8
Controlled Hunt Application	$6.25, Moose/Sheep/Goat: $16.75	$18, Moose/Sheep/Goat: $45.75

Tags
Bighorn Sheep	$199.75, $166.75	$2,626.75
Black Bear (Adult)	$13.75, $11.50, Second: $13.75	$231.75, Reduced: $41.75
Black Bear (Jr/Sr/DAV)	$7.75, $6.75, Second: $7.75	$23.75/$116.75
Deer (Adult)	$24.75, $19.75	$351.75, DAV: $23.75, Jr.: $176.75
Deer (Jr/Sr/DAV)	$12.50, $10.75	–
Elk (Adult)	$36.75, $30.75	$651.75, DAV: $39.75, Jr.: $299.75
Elk (Jr/Sr/DAV)	$18.75, $16.50	–
Moose	$199.75, $166.75	$2,626.75
Mountain Goat	$199.75, $166.75	$2,626.75
Mountain Lion (Adult)	$13.75, $11.50, Second: $13.75	$204.50, Reduced: $41.75
Pronghorn	$36.50, $31.25	$342.75
Sage-Grouse	$22.75	$74.25
Sandhill Crane	$22.75, $18	$74.25
Swan	$22.75	$74.25
Turkey (General)	$22.75, $19.75	$88, Extra: $88
Turkey (Jr/Sr/DAV)	$12.50, $10.75, Extra: $12.50	DAV/Jr.: $19.75/$44.75
Turkey (Special Unit)	$5	$5
Wolf	$13.50, $11.50	$31.75

Permits
Archery	$19.50, $18.25, DAV: $3.75, Disabled: $1.75	$81.75, DAV: $5.75
Bear Bait	$15, $12.75	$34.75
Fishing (State Long-term Care)	$1.75	–
Fishing (Two-pole)	$15, $13.75	$17
Hound Hunter	$15, $12.75	$301.75
Migratory Bird	$2.75, $1.75	$5
Motor Vehicle (Disabled)	$1.75	–
Muzzleloader	$19.50, $18.25, DAV: $3.75	$81.75, DAV: $5.75
Salmon/Steelhead	$15.25, $12.75	$28.25
Sharp-Tailed Grouse	$5.75, $4.75	–
Taxidermist/Fur Buyer	$40	$187
Nonresident Taxidermy/Fur Buyer (3-day)	–	$74.25
Upland Game Bird (18+)	–	$56.75

Top Idaho Game Locations

However, due to this massive, diverse terrain, knowing where to hone your archery and firearms skills is key. The below highlights Idaho’s top spots for hunting by area and animal, aiding in planning your upcoming quest.