Idaho Mule Deer Hunting Draw Odds & Strategy 2026

Application Deadlines Non-Resident Fees Resident Fees Big Game Season Dates Draw Result Dates State Contact Information

Spring Bear: February 15, 2026
Sheep, Moose, Mtn Goat: April 30, 2026
Super Hunt Tags 1st Draw: May 31, 2026
Controlled Deer, Elk, Antelope: June 5, 2026
Resident Capped Elk Tags Available: July 11,2026
Resident Sawtooth Elk Tags Available: July 13, 2026
Deadline to Pickup Controlled Tags Drawn: August 1, 2026
Super Hunt Tags 2nd Draw: August 10, 2026
Deer, Elk, Antelope Leftover Draw: August 15, 2026
Non-resident General Tags: December 15, 2026

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Adult) + Processing Fee	$195.00
Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Youth)	$95.75
Trophy Species Application Fee (Adult or Youth)	$45.75
Bighorn Sheep, Moose, or Mtn Goat Tag (Adult or Youth)	$2,626.75
Online & Phone Application Processing Fee (Adult)	$90.03
Online & Phone Application Processing Fee (Youth)	$87.05
Elk, Deer, Antelope Application Fee (Adult or Youth) + Processing Fee	$22.15
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Elk Tag	$651.75
Deer Tag	$351.75
Antelope Tag	$342.75
Black Bear Tag	$231.75
Wolf Tag	$31.75
Junior Mentored Elk (10-17 years old)	$299.75
Junior Mentored Deer (10-17 years old)	$176.75
Junior Mentored Black Bear (10-17 years old)	$116.75
Archery Permit	$81.75
Muzzleloader Permit	$81.75
All transactions that take place on the phone or online are subject to a processing fee. The only way to avoid processing fees is to apply at a regional F&G office with a debit card, personal check, or with cash. Credit cards used at regional offices incur a 3% processing fee. *Tag fees listed do not include online/phone application processing fees.

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Adult)	$15.75
Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Youth)	$8.25
Trophy Species Application Fee (Adult or Youth)	$16.75
Bighorn Sheep, Moose, or Mtn Goat Tag (Adult or Youth)	$199.75
Elk, Deer, Antelope Application Fee (Adult or Youth)	$6.25
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Elk Tag	$36.75
Deer Tag	$24.75
Antelope Tag	$36.50
Black Bear Tag	$13.75
Wolf Tag	$13.75
Junior Mentored Elk (10-17 years old)	$18.75
Junior Mentored Deer (10-17 years old)	$12.50
Junior Mentored Black Bear (10-17 years old)	$7.75
All transactions that take place on the phone or online are subject to a processing fee. The only way to avoid processing fees is to apply at a regional F&G office with a debit card, personal check, or with cash. Credit cards used at regional offices incur a 3% processing fee. *Tag fees listed do not include online/phone application processing fees.

IDAHO ELK SEASON DATES
Archery (General / Controlled)	Late Aug – late Sep 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
Rifle (General / Controlled)	Oct – Nov 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
Muzzleloader (General / Controlled)	Oct – Dec 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
IDAHO DEER SEASON DATES
Archery (General / Controlled)	Late Aug – Sep 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
Rifle (General / Controlled) (Mule & Whitetail)	Oct – Nov 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
Muzzleloader (General / Controlled)	Nov – Dec 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
IDAHO ANTELOPE (PRONGHORN) SEASON DATES
Archery (Controlled Hunts)	Mid-Aug – mid-Sep 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
Rifle (Controlled Hunts)	Sep 25 – Oct 24, 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
IDAHO BLACK BEAR SEASON DATES
Spring (Most Units)	Apr – Jun 2026 (bait/hound rules vary by unit)
Fall (Most Units)	Aug – Nov/Dec 2026 (unit-specific)
IDAHO MOUNTAIN GOAT SEASON DATES
Any Legal Weapon	Aug 30 – Nov 12, 2026
IDAHO MOOSE SEASON DATES
Any Legal Weapon	Sep – Nov 2026 (unit- & weapon-specific)
IDAHO BIGHORN SHEEP SEASON DATES
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Any Legal Weapon	Sep – Oct 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)
California Bighorn Any Legal Weapon	Sep – Oct 2026 (permit- and unit-specific)

Disclaimer: Idaho seasons vary by unit/zone, weapon, and tag type; some hunts are controlled with limited windows, quotas, or harvest closures. Always verify exact dates and regulations with Idaho Fish & Game before planning a hunt: https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/seasons

YEAR	MOOSE, SHEEP & GOAT	DEER, ELK & ANTELOPE	SPRING BEAR	SECONDARY DRAW
2026	May 11, 11:44 a.m. (MDT)	June 17, 9:05 a.m. (MDT)	TBD	TBD
2025	May 6, 11:54 a.m. (MDT)	June 12, 12:00 p.m. (MDT)	Feb 27	Aug 21
2024	May 8, 1:35 p.m. (MDT)	June 25, 10:27 a.m. (MDT)	Feb 28	Aug 22
2023	May 19, 1:45 p.m. (MDT)	June 29, 2:00 p.m. (MDT)	March 3	Aug 23
2022	May 19, 11:40 a.m. (MDT)	June 28, 8:40 p.m. (MDT)	March 4
2021	May 13, 10:50 a.m. (MDT)	July 1, 10:00 a.m. (MDT)	Feb 19
2020	May 15, 11:10 a.m. (MDT)	June 19, 2:30 p.m. (MDT)	Feb 21
2019	May 17	June 25
2018	June 8	July 8

Idaho Fish and Game Department

600 S Walnut • PO Box 25
Boise, ID 83707
ph. 208-334-3700

APPLY

For the second year in a row, non-resident hunters must apply in the draw for a general deer tag. The deer table provides details on these hunts to help you apply for a 2027 general deer tag. Pay attention to the draw odds when selecting your unit. Almost all of the mule deer tags were issued as a first choice. Even though Idaho allows you to select five choices, everyone’s first choice is looked at before anyone’s second choice. Last year, there were deer tags drawn by hunters under the first three choices. There were no deer tags drawn as a fourth or fifth choice. Once drawn, a general deer tag is valid only for the specified unit but applies to all general seasons in that unit (archery, muzzleloader, and rifle).

Idaho’s general mule deer units are recovering due to a couple of mild winters. Hunter success increased in most units in 2025, and hunters have been having good success in 2026 as well. Hunters harvested 24,588 mule deer in 2025, close to the 10-year average of 25,452. General mule deer hunters achieved a 28% success rate in 2025, matching the success rate from 2024.

Idaho’s general deer tags are ideal for hunters seeking a mule deer hunt. Each year, including 2026, hunters harvest a few exceptional bucks in general units. Success with larger bucks typically comes from extensive scouting or booking with outfitters. Idaho’s diverse habitats, from southern desert country to northern timbered regions, support mule deer across all units, each with potential for a quality buck.

The deer table highlights the better general mule deer units in the state. Most offer solid hunting opportunities for average bucks, but every unit holds the chance for a trophy. Hunters should set realistic expectations while remaining open to exceptional opportunities. Contact Huntin’ Fool before the December 15 application deadline with questions about the new general deer draw and selecting your five unit choices.

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Idaho’s whitetail deer population is slightly below the long-term average but rebounding well from some recent epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreaks. EHD outbreaks occurred in 2018, 2021, and 2025. These outbreaks have been spotty and only affected pockets of deer. Units that were affected by EHD outbreaks in 2025 included 8, 8A, 11A, and 14. Reduced logging in northern Idaho has also contributed to a decline in the population since the 1970s peak.

Overall, hunters putting the time in out in the field are having good success on mature bucks. In 2025, hunters harvested 19,702 whitetail deer, which was well below the ten-year average of 22,542. General whitetail hunters achieved a 37% success rate in 2025, 3% lower than the 2024 season.

Whitetail hunting in Idaho remains good, with success rates notably higher than those for mule deer or elk. For hunters passionate about whitetails, Idaho is a prime destination, and lower demand for whitetail tags compared to mule deer tags offers better draw odds for the 2027 season. Northern Idaho is a good place for a public land whitetail hunter to have a quality hunt.

Whitetail populations increase as you move north in Idaho. For expansive public land with ample walk-in country for pursuing quality bucks, consider the Craig Mountains south of Lewiston (Unit 11). The Kooskia/Kamiah area (Units 10A, 11A, and 18) and the Panhandle also support higher whitetail populations. Dedicated hunters who invest in scouting can find bucks scoring between 100 and 130 inches. Archery hunts primarily occur in August and September, with some later seasons in November and December. Most rifle hunts run in October, with some extending into November, coinciding with the rut. In northern Idaho, carrying wolf tags is highly recommended due to frequent encounters.

A unique feature of Idaho’s regulations allows hunters to use an unfilled non-resident deer or elk tag to harvest a black bear, wolf, or mountain lion during open seasons in the same unit the deer or elk tag was issued for, adding versatility to your hunt.

Idaho is great for hunters seeking reliable annual general-season hunts. Use our tables to explore and select deer and elk units. Contact the Advisors at Huntin’ Fool with questions about Idaho’s 2027 general deer draw before the December 15 deadline.

Guided Hunts - Featured Idaho Mule Deer Hunting

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