Available Idaho Elk Hunts --- Search HF Aventures
Idaho provides non-resident hunters plenty of elk hunting opportunities across the state, and the elk herd is healthy and increasing in most of the state. The total 2023 elk harvest was 18,568, which is almost an 11% drop in harvest compared to 2022. Of the 87,864 elk hunters, only 21% of those successfully harvested an elk. 2023 was the first time in the last nine years that the total elk harvest dropped below 20,000 elk. The mild winter may have affected hunter success as the elk did not get much snow to move them into lower, more accessible country. Harvest success on the general hunts was 17% and on the controlled hunts was 23% in 2023. Of the 18,568 elk harvested, 11,363 were bulls.
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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 and 54. Other early season rifle hunts that can produce a few great bulls are units 1-2, 30, 37, 41, 44, 45, 52, 55, and 66A. Some late rifle hunts that still produce better bulls are 40, 41, 42, and 46. If you are looking for an opportunity at a 300" type bull 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 like crazy, 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 340"+ 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.
For specific hunt dates, consult the Idaho Big Game Regulations.
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For archery hunters, Idaho provides some great opportunity 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 unit 44 and unit 39. If you are planning a general hunt, getting a turnback tag, or looking ahead to 2025, we recommend looking to units within the Salmon, Lemhi, Beaverhead, Pioneer, Brownlee, South Hills, and Diamond Creek zones.
Most of Idaho’s elk hunting is managed to maximize opportunity for hunters, and Idaho should generally be viewed as an opportunity state when it comes to its elk hunting. Idaho 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.
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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 3D Maps, Draw Odds, Consultations, and much more. Go on more hunts with better information!
Search our database for Idaho Elk opportunites.
The Idaho Elk application deadline is June 5, 2024. Successful applicants must purchase their tags by August 1, 2024.
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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