Elk Hunting in Idaho
Idaho has many hunting Opportunities are available for hunters like more than 120,000 elk. Idaho elk hunters have recently enjoyed excellent hunting opportunities with 22,325 elk taken in 2018, which ranks among the top 10, all-time harvests. Hunter numbers also have grown and exceeded 100,000 annually over the last five years. The current Idaho strategy is to offer over-the-counter (OTC) tags that provide a yearly opportunity for family and friends. Elk hunting is managed in 28 elk zones with 2 tag systems in most zones A tag & B tag. In A tags provide more opportunity for muzzleloader & archery hunters and B tags provide more opportunity for centerfire rifle hunters. Hunters may select one zone and choose either an A or B tag. For A and B Tags you are resident or nonresident .you have to fulfill all requirements for hunting.
| General Season | September 6-December 20 |
Elk Hunting Season in Idaho
Big game hunters who were successful in drawing controlled hunt tags for elk, deer, pronghorn, and black bear have until midnight Mountain Daylight Time Aug. 1 to buy their tags. elk hunting licenses and tags can be purchased online through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The current non-resident elk tag price is $500.
Some of the Best Places to Elk Hunt in Idaho
Your best option would be to join one of their first hunts so you can enjoy it during your stay at Redfish Lake Lodge. These are always during bugle season and are some of the most exciting seasons. The Frank Church Wilderness is one of the only places you can hunt elk with a rifle while they are in the rut.
Hunting Gear List in Idaho
Below is a list of good gear for your hunting in Idaho:
- Hunting License, Driver’s License or other Id’s
- Idaho Guide if Non-Resident
- Camera and Batteries or smartphone
- Safety Glasses
- Belt, lightweight pair of gloves
- Billed or Brimmed Hat
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Thermal Underwear (Lightweight)
- Fleece / lightweight vest
- Wool base layer shirts long & short sleeve (No Cotton)
- Hunting Boots
- Wet Weather Boots (Snow Packs)
- Quick-drying socks (No Cotton).
- Always carry an emergency kit
- Lightweight mountaineering tent made by seek
- Elk Meat Need Lightweight Bags
- Lightweight Backpack Rain Cover
- Small Flashlight
- Spotting Scope/Tripod, iPhone adaptor (optional)
- Quality Binoculars
- Trekking poles
- Bow or Rifle with Scope
- Ammo and Ammo Case
- Hunting Knife and Sharpner
- Toilet Paper and Dry Towel
- Bone Saw
- Parachute Cord
- Sleeping Bag
- Cooking Stove
- Water Cooler
Idaho Elk Hunting Firearms
There are some options for hunting elk with General Season tags in Idaho Elk Hunting with archery, rifle (any weapon) and muzzleloader seasons. Idaho Department of Fish and Game has made a few changes in the last few years. Now new hunts have been added and other old hunts have been removed, so make sure to check the regulations, but this information represents the latest available information by Idaho Department of Fish and Game:
- Elk hunted with Any Legal Weapon Rifle Season in (74 units) with 127 different hunts.
- Archery – Elk can be hunted in (87 units) with 115 different hunts.
- Muzzleloader – Elk hunted in (37 units).
- Short Range Weapons offer additional hunting opportunities in (6 units).
With the 3 different weapon choices above plus a few short-range weapon hunts, Idaho offers up to 6 options to hunt elk by sex or age:
- Antlered only (Bull elk)
- Any elk hunts
- Antlerless only (cow/calf)
- Spike Elk only
- Spike or antlerless elk hunts
- Brow-tined Bull Elk only