We set out to create the most simplified guide to Idaho hunting seasons for 2023.
Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?
Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.
Idaho Hunting
The Idaho Panhandle is home to over 300 wildlife species, there are large animals like caribou, grizzly bears, there are grasslands and forests which make up for half of the rangelands.
Idaho runs the entire range of an excess of small animals to extremely prized big game species. Generally they are structured to provide a wide variety of hunting experience with a strong emphasis on opportunity. There is a lot to learn in this state and getting outdoors, so be sure to be one of the first to get a license as there are many who eagerly await.
Navigating Deer Hunting in Idaho requires a combo, sports or hunting license with deer tags and a permit for the weapon you will be using. That is why below the seasons are listed by weapon, dates and the zones you should stay in for the animal you will be pursuing.
Idaho Deer Season 2023 - General Any Weapon Seasons
Unit
Antlered Dates
Antlerless Dates
Details
1, 2, 3, 4A, 5, 6
Oct 10 - Dec 1 (White-tailed only)
Oct 10 - Dec 1 (White-tailed only)
See note 1
Nov 1 - Nov 14 (White-tailed or Mule deer)
4, 7, 9
Oct 10 - Oct 31 (White-tailed only)
Oct 10 - Nov 9 (White-tailed only)
Nov 1 - Nov 9 (White-tailed or Mule deer)
8, 8A, 10, 10A, 12, 15, 16
Oct 10 - Nov 3
Oct 10 - Nov 3
Second RES-NONRES deer tag may not be used in Units 10, 10A & 12
11, 11A
Oct 10 - Nov 3 (White-tailed only)
Oct 10 - Nov 3 (White-tailed only)
Use of the Regular Deer Tag will be eliminated in these units beginning in the 2022 hunting season
13, 14, 18
Oct 10 - Nov 3 (White-tailed only)
Oct 10 - Nov 3 (White-tailed only)
Use of the Regular Deer Tag will be eliminated in these units beginning in the 2022 hunting season
16A, 17, 19, 20
Sep 15 -Nov 18
Sep 15 -Nov 18
Second RES-NONRES deer tag may not be used in Units 16A, 17, 19 & 20
19A, 23, 25
Oct 10 - Oct 31
Oct 10 - Oct 31 (Youth hunt only)
20A, 26, 27
Sep 15 - Oct 31
21, 21A, 28, 29, 30, 36, 36A, 36B, 37A
Oct 10 - Oct 24
Oct 10 - Oct 31 (Youth hunt only on Private land only)
Motorized Hunting Rule Applies in Units 29, 30, 36A, & 37A
22
Oct 10 - Oct 24 (2-point only)
Oct 10 - Oct 24 (White-tailed only)
24
Oct 10 - Oct 31
Oct 10 - Oct 31 (Youth hunt only
See note 3
30A
Oct 10 - Oct 31 (Youth hunt only on Private land only)
Motorized Hunting Rule Applies
32
Oct 10 - Oct 24
Oct 10 - Oct 24 (White-tailed only)
See notes 2 & 4 Motorized Hunting Rule Applies
Oct 10 - Oct 16 (Youth hunt only)
See notes 2 & 4 Motorized Hunting Rule Applies
31, 32A
Oct 10 - Oct 24
Oct 10 - Oct 24 (White-tailed only)
See notes 2 & 4 Motorized Hunting Rule Applies in Units 32 & 32A
33, 34, 35
Oct 10 - Oct 31
Oct 10 - Oct 31 (White-tailed only)
37
Oct 10 - Oct 24
Oct 10 - Oct 31 (Youth hunt only on Private land only
Idaho General Muzzleloader Deer Season 2023: Muzzleloader Permit Required
Unit
Antlered
Antlerless
4, 7, 9
Nov 10 - Nov 14 (White-tailed or Mule)
Nov 10 - Dec 1 (White-tailed only)
Nov 15 - Dec 1 (White-tailed only)
39
Sep 8 - Sep 30
Idaho Short Range Weapon Deer Season 2023
Unit
Antlered
Antlerless
Details
38
Oct 10 - Oct 31
Oct 10 - Nov 24
Very limited access, See note 3
53
Aug 30 - Nov 6
Aug 30 - Nov 6
Attention: Portion of Unit only, See note 6,Motorized Hunting Rule Applies
63
Oct 10 - Oct 24
Idaho Elk Season 2023
General Elk Season: August 1 - December 20
Idaho Pronghorn Season 2023
Controlled Hunt Seasons: September 25 - December 31
Idaho Moose Season 2023
Antlered Season Opens Aug 30 and closes Dec 1
Idaho Black Bear Season 2023
Most fall black bear seasons open August 30 and close Nov 30 but dates vary by zone.
Most spring black bear seasons open April 15 and close June 15 but varies by zone.
Idaho Wild Turkey Season 2023
Unit
Dates
Details
1, 2 (except Farragut State Park and Farragut WMA), 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7 & 9
Aug 30 - Jan 31, 2022
See note
8, 8A, 10A, 11, 11A, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 18
Aug 30 - Dec 31
10, 12, 16A, 17, 19, & 20
Aug 30 - Oct 9
Outside the National Forest System boundary in Units 22, 31, 32 (except that portion in Payette County), & 32A
Aug 30 - Oct 9
71, 73, 74, 75, 77, & 78
Sept 15 - Nov 30
These hunts overlap calendar years. Turkey tags expire on December 31 the year of purchase. Hunters must purchase a valid hunting license and turkey tag for the year in which they intend to hunt. Hunting licenses and tags go on sale December 1 for the upcoming year.
Idaho Small Game Seasons 2023
Cottontail Rabbit and Snowshoe Hare: August 30 - March 31
California and Bobwhite Quail: September 18 - January 31
Chukar and Gray Partridge: September 18 - January 31
Pheasants (Males Only): October 9 - December 31
Red Squirrel: August 30 - March 31
Idaho Hunting Units 2023
See the map below for a breakdown of Idaho's hunting zones:
Idaho Bag Limits 2023
Bag limits vary by animal, zone and season. Please refer to the official site for more details.
Idaho Hunting License 2023
To hunt in Idaho you will need: A hunting license A tag for big game species and turkey To take a hunter education class if born after January 1st, 1975 Dec 1st most license & general seasons tags for the upcoming year go on sale. Aug 5- Aug 15 second app period for unclaimed controlled hunt tags
You can buy your license at: https://license.gooutdoorsidaho.com/Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx
Idaho Hunting License Costs 2023
Resident/ Nonresident
License
Cost
Resident
Adult Hunting and Fishing
$33.75
Resident
Sports package
$144.60
Resident
Hunting
$15.75
Idaho Resident Tag Fees 2023
Black Bear
$13.75
Deer
$24.75
Elk
$36.75
Mt. Lion
$13.75
Turkey
$22.75
Wolf
$13.50
Idaho Permit required
Archery
$19.50
Muzzleloader
$19.50
Sage Grouse
$5.75
Turkey
$7.75
Upland Game Bird Permit
$28.75
Controlled Hunt application periods 2023
Spring Black Bear
Jan 15- Feb 15
Deer, Pronghorn, elk & fall black bear
May 1- June 5
Idaho Hunting Regulations 2023
Antlered deer are have at least one antler longer than 3 inches.
Antlerless deer are without antlers or with antlers shorter than 3 inches and may be taken in a season open for antlerless deer or either sex.
Idaho does not allow the use of natural urine from deer, elk, moose, reindeer, or caribou for big game hunting.
Hunters with valid Idaho licenses and tags in their possession can hunt mule deer and/or white-tailed deer.
Helpful Resources
Official State Site: https://license.gooutdoorsidaho.com/Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx
FAQs
How much is a Idaho hunting license?
Idaho's Combination Hunting and Fishing License is $38.75 for residents and $264 for nonresidents.
When is deer hunting season in Idaho?
Idaho's deer season opens as early as Augst 15 and goes as late as December 31 depending on the zone and weapon.
Where to hunt mule deer in Idaho?
Unit 39 is Idaho's most popular and productive unit for mule deer hunters.
