Idaho Hunting Guide
Spring bear, elk, turkey hunting near Boise with millions of acres of public land.
Hunting Highlights
Idaho Hunting Seasons 2025
| Species | Archery | Firearm |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | Aug 30 - Sep 30 | Oct 10 - Nov 18 |
| Black Bear | — | Apr 15 - Jun 30, Aug 30 - Nov 18 |
* Season dates are approximate and may vary by zone or unit. Always verify with Idaho Game & Fish for current regulations before hunting.
Key Species in Idaho
Public Land Access
Idaho has approximately 32 million acres of public land available for hunting, including national forests, BLM land, and state wildlife management areas.
Hunting Near Major Cities
Idaho Hunting Articles
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Idaho Fishing 2026: Licenses, Steelhead Rivers, and Mountain Trout
Idaho fishing 2026—license options, steelhead and salmon permit checks, official IDFG regulations, trout-water planning, and invasive-species inspection rules.
Idaho Brown Trout Fishing 2026: Big Fish Rivers, Trophy Regulations, Streamers
Idaho brown trout in 2026—Fish and Game bag and special-regulation waters, famous rivers, night fishing ethics, and streamer and nymph strategies.
Idaho Kokanee Fishing 2026: Landlocked Sockeye, Downriggers, Trolling
Idaho kokanee in 2026—Fish and Game bag limits on landlocked sockeye lakes, trolling and jigging tactics, scent and dodger setups, and invasive mussel checks at ramps.
Idaho Rainbow Trout Fishing 2026: Henrys Fork, Tailwaters, Wild vs Stocked
Idaho rainbow trout in 2026—Fish and Game regulations, famous spring creeks and tailwaters, bait and artificial rules, and nymph and dry-fly tactics.
Idaho Smallmouth Bass Fishing 2026: Canyon Rivers, Reservoirs, Finesse
Idaho smallmouth bass in 2026—Fish and Game black bass regulations, Snake River and reservoir fisheries, and tube, jig, and crankbait tactics on rock.
Idaho Sturgeon Fishing 2026: Catch-and-Release, Snagged-Fish Rules, Big River
Idaho white sturgeon in 2026—Fish and Game protected species rules on the Snake and lower reservoirs, barbless hooks, reporting, and heavy-tackle fight etiquette.
Idaho Spring Turkey Hunting 2026: Units, Tags & Controlled Hunts
Idaho spring turkey 2026—controlled and general hunts by unit, Merriam’s and Rio overlap, IDFG tags, and public land scouting.
Idaho Spring Black Bear Hunting 2026: Season Dates, Controlled Hunts & General Season
Idaho spring black bear 2026—controlled hunt applications, general season dates, bear ID test requirement, and best units for spring bear in the backcountry.