Idaho always produces a couple of Boone and Crockett antelope each year. Those are the exceptions, with most of the antelope harvested scoring between 60 and 75”. Antelope populations are stable across most of the state. There are mature bucks available in all units. Following another mild winter, we are expecting good horn growth for antelope throughout the state. If you are looking for an 80” buck, stick with our top units. The southern portion of the state continues to produce the best bucks. Units 38, 54, and 55 are the top units in the state. The Owyhee Desert units, 40 through 42, can produce some great bucks every year, but expect a tougher hunt, as they are spread throughout those giant units. Other units that have been producing some good bucks include 31, 36B, 37, 39, 46, 52A, 68, and 76-1. Most of Idaho’s antelope units have a lot of public land, but there is enough private agricultural land that hunters should be using onX.
If you are an archery antelope hunter, then Idaho should be on the top of your mind. The best two archery units available are 54 and 55-1. Both of these units hold bigger bucks, and the archery hunters get the first opportunity at them. As you look over the rest of the archery table, you will see ten unlimited archery antelope areas. All of the unlimited areas listed hold Pope and Young bucks. These archery tags are a good fallback for those looking to pick up an extra hunt. Some of the unlimited archery antelope hunts were changed from either-sex to buck-only last year. The buck-only areas are 28-1, 30A-1, 36-1, 49-1, 51-2, 59A-1, and 68.
Idaho antelope country is mostly found in the desert public lands in the southern half of the state. This country is typically broken, which can allow for some good archery spot-and-stalk and decoy-hunting opportunities. Waterhole hunting is very popular due to the lack of water in most of the antelope country. There can be a lot of competition for waterholes, especially from the resident hunters who hunt this unlimited tag on a regular basis.
Because Idaho doesn’t have a point system, you have equal odds to everyone else applying. If you are a rifle-only antelope hunter, we do not recommend applying for a hunting license and an additional $18 application fee just to apply for antelope in Idaho; however, if you are an archery hunter and want to hunt the unlimited areas, it is guaranteed tag. That way, no matter how the rest of your draws go, you will have an opportunity to hunt antelope.
If you already have an Idaho hunting license and like hunting antelope, then it’s a no brainer to add the application for only $18. Idaho is a fun state to hunt antelope in, as most are found on public land. If you have any questions on Idaho’s antelope application, you can always give us a call to go over your options.
