Idaho Hunting & Fishing
Season Calendar 2026

Idaho elk archery season runs Aug 30–Sep 27 statewide; any legal archery equipment is authorized and elk respond aggressively to cow calls and bugles during the peak rut window of Sep 10–27. Hunters must possess a valid Idaho hunting license and the appropriate elk tag — general elk tags are available over-the-counter for most zones, with A-tag units open to any legal elk and B-tag units restricted to branch-antlered bulls or antlerless. Idaho's Selway-Bitterroot, Frank Church-River of No Return, and Gospel Hump wilderness areas hold large, mature bull populations with significantly less hunting pressure than road-accessible areas.

Idaho elk general firearms season runs Oct 10–Nov 8; legal methods include centerfire rifles, shotguns, handguns, and muzzleloaders. Hunters must possess a valid Idaho hunting license and elk tag. General A-tag units are over-the-counter; controlled hunt B-tags require a draw and offer access to premium units. Blaze orange is required — at least 36 square inches on chest and back with a blaze orange hat. November elk hunting in Idaho catches post-rut bulls returning to feeding areas — high-elevation benches near winter range transition corridors are productive. Winter weather often consolidates elk herds, improving hunter success rates in late-season zones.

Idaho archery deer season runs Aug 30–Sep 27 for both whitetail and mule deer depending on zone; any legal bow is authorized. Hunters must possess a valid Idaho hunting license and deer tag — general tags are over-the-counter, while controlled hunt tags for premium units require a draw. Northern Idaho's whitetail population in the Palouse and Clearwater drainages is among the largest in the state; late August bucks are still in velvet and bachelor groups are often visible in alfalfa fields and timber edges. Mule deer archery hunting in central and eastern Idaho benefits from glassing high-elevation summer range for mature bucks in open basins.

Idaho whitetail deer firearms season runs Oct 10–Nov 20; legal methods include centerfire rifles, shotguns, handguns, and muzzleloaders. Hunters must possess a valid Idaho hunting license and deer tag. General tags are available over-the-counter for most units. Blaze orange — at least 36 square inches on chest and back and a hat — is required. Idaho's peak whitetail rut occurs from late October through mid-November, aligning perfectly with the firearms season in northern zones. Clearwater River drainages, agricultural margins in the Palouse, and Selkirk Mountain river bottoms are the most productive whitetail areas in the state.

Idaho spring turkey season runs Apr 15–May 25 for Merriam's wild turkey found primarily in the foothills and open ponderosa pine forests of southern and central Idaho. Hunters must possess a valid Idaho hunting license and turkey tag; the bag limit is two gobblers per season. Legal methods include shotguns, archery, and crossbows; electronic calls are prohibited for turkey hunting. Idaho's Clearwater, Boise, and Payette National Forest drainages hold excellent Merriam's turkey populations. Peak gobbling activity typically occurs from late April through the first two weeks of May as birds enter breeding season in response to increasing day length.