Idaho provides non-resident hunters a lot of elk hunting opportunities across the state, and the elk herd is healthy and increasing in most areas of the state. The total 2024 elk harvest was 20,996, which is almost a 12% increase in harvest compared to 2023. In 2024, 24% of all the elk hunters who purchased a tag were successful in taking an elk. Harvest success on the general hunts was 19% and on the controlled hunts was 42% in 2024. Of the 20,996 elk harvested, 12,610 were bulls.
Idaho only manages a handful of units for trophy bulls, and if you are looking for a 350”+ bull, you should stick with our top picks of units 40, 42, and 54. Other early season rifle hunts that can produce a few great bulls are units 1-2, 30, 41, 44, 45, 46, 52, 55, and 66A. Some late rifle hunts that still produce better bulls are 40, 41, and 46. If you are looking for an opportunity at a 300”+ type bulls with better odds of drawing a tag, there are plenty of hunts listed in the tables to choose from. Idaho really has an elk hunt for everyone with so many different units and seasons.
Idaho’s best elk tag is the unit 54 muzzleloader hunt that opens on September 25th. The bulls will be rutting, and hunters will have plenty of big bulls to chase. Typically, there are some 380”+ bulls taken on this hunt. Another rut muzzleloader hunt is unit 39. This hunt takes place the entire month of September and always produces a few 330”+ bulls. Units 46-1 and 50 have an October 1st opener, and hunters will enjoy some bugling bulls with not a lot of hunting pressure during those hunts. Some better draw odds can be found in the November muzzleloader hunts in units 30A, 49, and 55-2. These units are good hunts for someone who wants to hunt hard for wintering bulls. New for 2025, Idaho changed their muzzleloader rules, and starting July 1st, sabots will be legal.
For specific hunt dates, consult the Idaho Big Game Regulations.
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For archery hunters, Idaho provides some great opportunities and long season dates. For the best limited-entry archery hunts in the state, look at units 40 and 54. Each of these hunts offers good success rates and the potential for a 350”+ bull. Other really good archery limited-entry hunts are units 18, 39, 44, 45, and 46. If you are looking to get a general archery elk tag and want to start your research, we recommend you look at the units within the Salmon, Lemhi, Beaverhead, Pioneer, Brownlee, South Hills, and Diamond Creek zones.
The majority of Idaho’s elk hunting is managed to maximize opportunity for hunters. This is great as there is a ton of opportunity when it comes to its elk hunting. Idaho has a lot of different terrain from the tree-covered panhandle up on the Canadian line all the way to the southern deserts along Nevada and Utah borders. Elk are spread throughout the state which gives hunters many different types of terrain to hunt. This offers every type of hunt an elk hunter could want. Any hunter can find an elk hunt that would suit their own personal style of hunting in Idaho.
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Over the last 20+ years, we've collected hunting research and data, so join Huntin' Fool today and access the best research tools for hunting elk in Idaho, including Draw Odds, Consultations, and much more. Go on more hunts with better information!
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The Idaho Elk application deadline is June 5, 2025. Successful applicants must purchase their tags by August 1, 2025.
Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location - application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions, other tag opportunities, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research, join today!
| Up-Front Fees | |
|---|---|
| Annual Hunting License and Access Fee | $195 |
| Junior Mentored Hunting License and Access Fee | $95.75 |
| Application Fee per Species | $18 |
| Post Draw Fees (if successful) | |
|---|---|
| Elk Tag | $651.75 |
| Junior Mentored Elk Tag (10-17 years old) | $299.75 |
| Archery Permit | $81.75 |
| Muzzleloader Permit | $81.75 |
*An additional online processing fee of approximately 3% is not included in the prices above.
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