Idaho is a haven for people who love outdoor activities, with its expansive scenery providing an ideal setting for exciting hunting expeditions. It provides all kinds of opportunities for hunting big game like deer, bear, turkey, upland game, or small game.
If you enjoy hunting, Idaho is the perfect destination for you. Here is a detailed manual on the Idaho hunting seasons, regulations, and licenses for various types of game.
Idaho Deer Season
If you enjoy hunting mule deer or white-tailed deer, Idaho is the place for you.
Deer hunting season starts from the end of August to late December. It is important to mention that hunters are limited to one deer only.
In addition, in Idaho, the legal deer is deer with at least one antler longer than 3 inches. Make sure you don’t mistakenly take any other deer that do not meet this standard.
Deer seasons vary from dozens of hunting units with complicated charts. And the details of each Unit can be found in this file: Idaho Big Game Hunting Digest. It clearly lists all of the available season dates and opening units.
Idaho Turkey Seasons
Before you go turkey hunting, make sure you have the correct hunting license and tag.
Idaho offers two kinds of turkey permits: general hunt permits and controlled hunt permits. The first is applicable during spring and fall, while the second is used for particular regulated hunts.
It is important to follow the hunting hours: half an hour before sunrise until sunset. During the Spring season, there is a daily limit of two male turkeys, while in the Fall season, you can hunt as many turkeys as the number of valid tags you have.
The season dates for turkey hunting are as follows:
Spring Turkey Youth Only - Male or Bearded Turkey
- April 8 - April 14
- April 8 - May 25
Spring Turkey - Male or Bearded Turkey
- April 15 - April 30
- April 15 - May 25
Fall Turkey - Either Sex Turkey
- August 30 - January 31
- November 1 - December 1
- August 30 - December 31
- August 30 - October 9
- August 30 - December 31
- August 30 - October 9
- August 30 - November 30
Spring Controlled Hunts Youth Only - Male or Bearded Turkey
- April 8 - May 25
Spring Controlled Hunts Male or Bearded Turkey
- April 15 – May 25
- April 15 - April 30
- May 1 - May 25
Fall Controlled Hunts Youth Only - Either Sex Turkey
- August 30 - October 9
- September 15 - November 30
Fall Controlled Hunts Either Sex Turkey
- October 10 – December 31
- September 15 – December 31
- September 15 - October 9
- September 15 - November 30
What’s more, here are some of the rules to follow:
- You cannot shoot turkey outside the designated hours for shooting legally.
- You cannot use a lead shot larger than BB or steel shot larger than Tsize.
- No dogs are allowed except for Fall season hunts.
- You cannot use a trap, snare, net, or firearm.
- You cannot hunt from a boat.
- You cannot use electronic calls or any baits.
Idaho Upland Game Seasons
For those interested in upland game hunting, Idaho offers seasons for various species. The game species are diverse in Idaho, including California and bobwhite quail, chukar and gray partridge, grouse and pheasants.
The hunting of these bird species typically begins in mid-September and continues until the end of January.
Hunting for upland game birds starts 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 30 minutes after sunset. Now let’s check the season dates one by one.
California And Bobwhite Quail
- September 21, 2024 - January 31, 2025
- September 20, 2024 - January 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 10 in the aggregate
Possession Limit: 30 in the aggregate
Chukar And Gray Partridge
- September 21, 2024 - January 31, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 8 Chukar & 8 Gray Partridge
Possession Limit: 24 Chukar & 24 Gray Partridge
- September 20, 2025 January 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 8 Chukar & 8 Gray Partridge
Possession Limit: 24 Chukar & 24 Gray Partridge
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
- October 1 through October 31, 2024
- October 1 through October 31, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 2
Possession Limit: 6
Pheasants
AREA 1:
- Resident: October 12 through December 31, 2024
- Nonresident: October 17 through December 31, 2024
- Resident: October 11 through December 31, 2025
- Nonresident: October 16 through December 31, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 3 roosters
Possession Limit: 9 roosters
AREA 2:
- Resident: October 19 through November 30, 2024
- Nonresident: October 24 through November 30, 2024
- Resident: October 18 through November 30, 2025
- Nonresident: October 23 through November 30, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 3 roosters
Possession Limit: 9 roosters
AREA 3:
- Resident: October 19 through December 31, 2024
- Nonresident: October 24 through December 31, 2024
- Resident: October 18 through December 31, 2025
- Nonresident: October 23 through December 31, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 3 roosters
Possession Limit: 9 roosters
Youth Hunt Season
- 2024 — October 5 through October 11
- 2025 — October 4 through October 10
Pheasants
AREA 1
- Resident: October 12 through December 31, 2024
- Nonresident: October 17 through December 31, 2024
- Resident: October 11 through December 31, 2025
- Nonresident: October 16 through December 31, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 2 roosters
Possession Limit: 6 roosters
AREA 2
- Resident: October 19 through November 30, 2024
- Nonresident: October 24 through November 30, 2024
- Resident: October 18 through November 30, 2025
- Nonresident: October 23 through November 30, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 2 roosters
Possession Limit: 6 roosters
AREA 3
- Resident: October 19 through December 31, 2024
- Nonresident: October 24 through December 31, 2024
- Resident: October 18 through December 31, 2025
- Nonresident: October 23 through December 31, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 2 roosters
Possession Limit: 6 roosters
Idaho Small Game Seasons
COTTONTAIL AND SNOWSHOE HARES
- August 30, 2024 - March 31, 2025
- August 30, 2025 -March 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24
Red Squirrel Seasons
- August 30, 2024 - March 31, 2025
- August 30, 2025 -March 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24
There are specific restrictions that need to be followed when hunting small game, such as restrictions on shooting times, types of ammunition, and the use of accessories.
While hunting small games, you cannot:
- Hunt from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before.
- Use a trap, snare, net, or shotgun using shotgun shells exceeding 3 1/2 inches in length.
- Use any aid of electronic call.
Idaho Hunting Licenses
In order to hunt in Idaho, hunters must obtain the correct licenses, tags, or permits. The licenses have varying costs based on whether the person is a resident or nonresident.
Residents have various choices available to them, such as the Sportsman's Package, Combination (Hunting & Fishing), Disabled Combination, Military Furlough Combination, and specific permits and tags for different species.
Nonresidents have the option of selecting from various types of licenses including a Combination (Hunting & Fishing) license, Hunting license, and Three-Day Hunting license.
Here is how much it costs to hunt in Idaho:
Resident License Costs
| Sportsman’s Package (Adult or Youth) | $124.25 |
| Combination (Hunting & Fishing) | $33.50 |
| Disabled Combination | $5.00 |
| Military Furlough Combination | $17.50 |
| Hunting | $12.75 |
| Junior Combination (Hunting & Fishing | $17.50 |
| Junior Hunting (10-17) | $7.25 |
| Senior Combination (Hunting & Fishing) | $11.75 |
| Archery or Muzzleloader Permit | $18.25 |
| Upland Game Bird Permit | $23.75 |
| Migratory Bird Permit | $1.75 |
| Deer Tag | $19.75 |
| Bear | $11.50 |
| Turkey | $19.75 |
| Second Turkey | $12.25 |
Nonresident License Costs
| Combination (Hunting & Fishing | $264.00 |
| Hunting | $185 |
| Small Game Hunting | $141.75 |
| Three-Day Small Game Hunting | $71.75 |
| Archery or Muzzleloader Permit | $81.75 |
| Upland Game Bird Permit | $56.75 |
| Deer Tag | $351.75 |
| Bear Tag | $231.75 |
| Turkey Tag | $88 |
To Buy a License, Tag or Permit, you can:
- Go to Idaho Fish and Game’s online licensing site at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.
- Download the “Go Outdoors Idaho” mobile app directly on your smartphone.
- Dial 1-800-554-8685. Outside the U.S., use the internet or mail.
Conclusion
Idaho provides numerous hunting chances all year round for various game animals. Hunters can fully experience Idaho's varied hunting seasons by acquiring corresponding licenses and tags, and following the above dates, rules, and limitations for each hunting season to have a successful, ethical hunting adventure. Happy hunting!