Idaho is a haven for people who love outdoor activities, with its expansive lands providing an ideal setting for exciting hunting adventures. 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. Mark your calendar now.
Idaho Big Game Seasons
Deer Hunting Seasons
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 a 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.
Regular Deer Seasons
- General Any Weapon Seasons: Start from September 15, end on October 31, 2025
- General Archery Only Seasons: Start from August 30, end on December 24, 2025
- General Muzzleloader Only Seasons: Start from November 10, end on December 1, 2025
- General Deer Short Range Weapon Seasons: Start from August 30, end on November 24, 2025
White-tailed Deer Seasons
- General Any Weapon Seasons: Start from September 15, end on December 9, 2025
- General Archery Only Seasons: Start from August 30, end on December 24, 2025
- General Muzzleloader Only Seasons: Start from November 10, end on December 14, 2025
- Short Range Weapon Seasons: Start from October 10, end on December 31, 2025
Deer seasons vary from different hunting units with different methods of take. The detailed information of each unit can be found in this file: Idaho Big Game Hunting Digest, which clearly lists all of the available season dates and opening units.
Moose Controlled Hunts Seasons
| Controlled Hunt Area | Season Dates |
| 1-1, 1-2,1-3, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9 | Sep. 15 – Dec. 1 |
| 1-1, 1-2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 | Oct. 1 – Oct. 14 |
| 1-1, 1-2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | Nov. 1 – Nov. 14 |
| 54 | Oct. 15 – Nov. 23 |
| The rest | Aug. 30 – Nov. 23 |
Bighorn Sheep Controlled Hunts Seasons
| Controlled Hunt Area | Season Dates |
| 37 | Aug. 30 – Sep. 20 |
| 37 | Sep. 21 – Oct. 13 |
| 27AL, 21L, 26L, 27L, 28-1L, 37L, 37AL | Oct. 14 – Oct. 31 |
| 17L | Aug. 30 – Oct. 31 |
| 40, 41, 42, 55 | Aug. 30 – Oct. 8 |
| The rest | Aug. 30 – Oct. 13 |
Mountain Goat Controlled Hunts Seasons
All Areas: Aug 30 – Nov 12
*For big games, you can only hunt One animal. Youth hunters need to be at least 10 years old with a proper hunting license to hunt big game.
The legal hours for hunting deer are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. And, all hunters are required to report their harvest within 10 days, regardless of whether the hunt was successful or not.
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 turkey 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, 2025
- April 8 – May 25, 2025
Spring Turkey (Male or Bearded Turkey)
- April 15 – April 30, 2025
- April 15 – May 25, 2025
Fall Turkey (Either Sex Turkey)
- August 30 – January 31, 2026
- November 1 – December 1, 2025
- August 30 – December 31, 2025
- August 30 – October 9, 2025
- August 30 – December 31, 2025
- August 30 – October 9, 2025
- August 30 – November 30, 2025
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 a turkey outside the designated hours for hunting legally.
- You cannot use a lead shot larger than a BB or a steel shot larger than T-size.
- No dogs are allowed, except for Fall season hunts.
- You cannot use a trap, snare, net, firearm, electronic calls, or any baits for turkey hunts.
- You cannot hunt from a boat.
- Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- For controlled hunt seasons, hunters need to apply for a Controlled Hunt Tag. The spring season application starts from Feb. 1 to March 1. The fall season starts from May 1 to June 5.
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 species typically begins in mid-September and continues until the end of January next year.
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
Dates: September 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 10 in total
Possession Limit: 30 in total
Chukar And Gray Partridge
Dates: September 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24 in total
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Dates: October 1 through October 31, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 2
Possession Limit: 6
*The season only opens in the following areas: Bingham, Bonneville, Clark, and Jefferson counties east of Interstate 15, Power County south of Interstate 86, and those portions of Cassia County east of Interstate 84 and west of Interstate 84 south of the Malta-Sublett Road and east of the Malta-Strevell Road, Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Fremont, Madison, Oneida, and Teton counties.
Pheasants
| Area | Resident Dates | Nonresident Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
| Area 1 | October 11 – December 31, 2025 | October 16 – December 31, 2025 | 3 roosters | 9 roosters |
| Area 2 | October 18 – November 30, 2025 | October 23 – November 30, 2025 | 3 roosters | 9 roosters |
| Area 3 | October 18 – December 31, 2025 | October 23 – December 31, 2025 | 3 roosters | 9 roosters |
| Youth Hunt Season | October 4 – October 10, 2025 | October 4 – October 10, 2025 | / | / |
Forest Grouse
Area 1: August 30, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Area 2: August 30 – December 31, 2025
Daily Bag Limit: 4
Possession Limit: 12
California and Bobwhite Quail
AREA 1: September 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 10
Possession Limit: 30
Idaho Small Game Seasons
Cottontail and Snowshoe Hares
- August 30, 2025 -March 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24
Red Squirrel Seasons
- August 30, 2025 -March 31, 2026
Daily Bag Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 24
Furbearer Trapping And Hunting Seasons
| Region | County | Animal | Season |
| Panhandle Region / Clearwater Region | Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone counties / Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce counties | Badger | July 1 – June 30 (Year-round) |
| Beaver | October 15 – March 31 | ||
| Bobcat | December 14 – February 16 | ||
| Fox | October 10 – March 31 | ||
| Marten | November 1 – January 31 | ||
| Mink | October 15 – March 31 | ||
| Muskrat | October 15 – March 31 | ||
| Otter | October 15 – March 31 | ||
| Southwest Region | Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, Washington | Badger | July 1 – June 30 (Year-round) |
| Beaver | November 1 – March 31 | ||
| Bobcat | December 14 – February 16 | ||
| Fox | July 1 – June 30 (Year-round) | ||
| Marten | November 1 – January 31 | ||
| Mink | November 1 – March 31 | ||
| Muskrat | November 1 – March 31 | ||
| Otter | November 1 – March 31 | ||
| Magic Valley Region | Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls counties | Badger | July 1 – June 30 (Year-round) |
| Beaver | October 15 – March 31 | ||
| Bobcat | December 14 – February 16 | ||
| Fox | July 1 – June 30 (Year-round) | ||
| Marten | November 1 – January 31 | ||
| Mink | October 15 – March 31 | ||
| Muskrat | October 15 – March 31 | ||
| Otter | October 15 – March 31 | ||
| Southeast Region / Upper Snake Region / Salmon Region | Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power counties / Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and Teton counties / Custer and Lemhi counties | Badger | July 1 – June 30 (Year-round) |
| Beaver | October 15 – April 15 | ||
| Bobcat | December 14 – February 16 | ||
| Fox | July 1 – June 30 (Year-round) | ||
| Marten | November 1 – January 31 | ||
| Mink | October 15 – April 15 | ||
| Muskrat | October 15 – April 15 | ||
| Otter | October 15 – March 31 |
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 game, 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 electronic calls.
Idaho Hunting Licenses Fees
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 a 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 to purchase one.
Conclusion
Idaho provides numerous hunting opportunities all year round for various game animals. Hunters can fully experience the Idaho hunting season by acquiring the corresponding licenses and tags, and following the above dates, rules, and limitations for each hunting season to have a successful, ethical hunting adventure.
Share with us your hunting story and get a chance to test Kalkal hunting boots and accessories.
Season timing can change across borders, so always compare local rules with neighboring states:
- US Hunting Seasons For 50 States
- Oregon Deer Seasons
- Montana Hunting Seasons
- Wyoming Turkey Season 2024 Schedule
- Washington Hunting Seasons
- Utah Hunting Seasons
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