Get ready, Idaho’s 2024 deer season is going to be a blast! No matter how skilled you are, there’s something for you. Searching for mule or white-tailed deer? Either way, we’ve got it. Explore from high mountains down to sweeping plains. Start in late August with a bow and arrow. Later, pick up your rifle or muzzleloader. It’s all fun, stretching right into December. Plus, Idaho does wildlife management right. So, your trip is good for nature too. And let’s not forget those amazing sights. Hunting in Idaho, nothing better!
The Idaho Fish and Game Department smartly crafted the season for everyone’s interests. If you’re a bowhunter, you’ll love the early archery season. Rifle users or short-range firearm enthusiasts? There’s plenty for you from October to December, depending on where you are.
Staying current with Idaho’s hunting rules is key to a trouble-free hunting experience. Some areas have specific management for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that call for testing within a 10-day period after the hunt. Plus, if you’re not from Idaho, you get some neat tag options. You can use these for other big game too – think black bears or wolves. Knowing the rules of the game and getting ready ahead of time mean a good and safe hunting season. This makes Idaho the perfect place for respectable hunting in 2024.
Idaho Deer Season Schedule
Regular Deer Tag Seasons
General Any Weapon
- Units:
- 1-7, 9:
- Oct 10 – Dec 18
- 8A, 10-16, 15:
- Oct 10 – Nov 3
- 16A, 17, 19, 20:
- Sep 15 – Nov 20
- 19A, 20A, 21-24, 25-27, 30A, 32-35, 37, 39, 43, 46, 48-51, 56, 58-59A, 66-77, 52A:
- Oct 10 – Oct 31
- 40-42:
- Oct 10 – Oct 24
- 60-62, 62A, 64-65, 60A, 67-68, 71, 73A, 74:
- Oct 10 – Oct 24
- 1-7, 9:
General Archery Only
- Units:
- 1-7, 9:
- Aug 30 – Sep 30 & Dec 10 – Dec 24
- Other Specific Units:
- Aug 30 – Sep 30
- 28:
- Dec 1 – Dec 31
- 60A:
- Aug 30 – Sep 30 & Nov 1 – Dec 19
- 62-65, 66-67, 69:
- Aug 30 – Sep 30 & Nov 1 – Dec 19
- 1-7, 9:
Muzzleloader Only
- Units:
- 4, 7, 9:
- Nov 10 – Dec 13
- 39:
- Sep 8 – Sep 30
- 8A, 10A, 16:
- Specific dates apply
- 4, 7, 9:
Short Range Weapon
- Units:
- 38:
- Oct 10 – Nov 24
- 53:
- Aug 30 – Nov 6
- 63, 63A:
- Oct 10 – Oct 24, split dates
- 38:
White-tailed Deer Tag Seasons
General Any Weapon
- Units:
- 1-7, 9:
- Oct 10 – Dec 1
- (Oct 10 – Nov 9 for Units 4, 7 & 9 has extended season)
- 8, 8A, 11, 11A:
- Oct 10 – Dec 1
- 10, 10A, 12, 14, 18:
- Oct 10 – Nov 20
- 16A, 17, 19, 20:
- Sep 15 – Nov 20
- 21, 21A, 28, 29-30, 30A, 36A, 36B, 37, 37A:
- Oct 10 – Oct 31
- (Special Youth Hunts available)
- 22, 23, 25, 31-32, 32A, 33-35, 46:
- Oct 10 – Oct 31
- (Unit 24 has a extended season ending Nov 20)
- 40, 41:
- Oct 10 – Oct 24
- (2-point deer only)
- 50-51, 58-59A, 60-62, 62A, 64-65, 66:
- Oct 10 – Oct 31 & Nov 10 – Dec 9
- 60A:
- Nov 1 – Dec 19
- 67:
- Oct 10 – Oct 31
- 1-7, 9:
Controlled Hunts
Key Date Ranges for Controlled Hunts:
- Antlered:
- Aug 30, Oct 10 – Nov 3,
- Nov 10 – 24,
- Nov 10 – 30
- Antlerless:
- Nov 1 – 10,
- Nov 15 – 30
- Either-Sex:
- Dec 2 – 20,
- Nov 21 – Dec 20
- Archery:
- Aug 30 – Sep 30,
- Oct 10 – Nov 30
- Youth Hunts:
- Sep 15 – Oct 31,
- Nov 15 – 30
- Extra Antlered:
- Oct 10 – Nov 20,
- Nov 1 – 20
- Extra Antlerless:
- Aug 30 – Sep 30,
- Oct 10 – Dec 1,
- Dec 10 – 24
- Outfitter Allocation:
- Aug 30 – Sep 30,
- Oct 10 – Nov 20,
- Nov 1 – 14
Bag Limit
- Only one deer can be taken per legal tag that a hunter has.
Idaho Deer Hunt Regulations
- Overview: Licenses and Tags: Hunters have to present a valid Idaho license and relevant tags for mule or white-tailed deer hunting.
- Additional Deer Tags: From early August, residents and nonresidents can buy one unsellable nonresident general season deer tag at a nonresident price as a second tag.
- Restrictions: Second deer tags can’t be employed in Units 10, 10A, 12, 16A, 17, 19, and 20. More tags are available via extra controlled hunts and depredation hunts.
- Youth Hunts: Some deer hunts are only for youth hunters.
- Antlered Definition: A deer with at least one antler more than 3 inches long. For antlered-only hunts, antlers have to stay with the carcass when moving it.
- Antlerless Definition: Deer with no antlers or with antlers less than 3 inches long can be hunted in open antlerless or either-sex seasons.
- Two-Point: Deer with a maximum of two points on one side (not counting the brow tine), and one antler more than 3 inches long. A point has to be minimally 1 inch long.
- Three-Point: Deer with at least one antler holding three or more points (not counting the brow tine).
- Species Identification: During seasons confined to only mule deer or white-tailed deer, if the head is detached, the completely-haired tail has to stay connected to the carcass.
- Permits for Archery and Muzzleloader: Hunters in “archery only” or “muzzleloader only” seasons must hold a license validated by an archery or muzzleloader permit.
- Nonresident Tags Choice: Non filled nonresident deer or elk tags can be used for hunting black bear, mountain lion, or gray wolf if these species’ seasons are open in the same unit/zone.
- CWD Testing: Mandatory testing for CWD is required for deer, elk, and moose hunted in CWD management zones (currently Units 14 and 15) within 10 days of taking them.
- Resident Hunters:
- Regular Tag: Valid for mule deer or white-tailed deer during usual season hunts.
- White Tailed Tag: Only valid for white-tailed deer during specified seasons.
- Nonresident Hunters: Nonresident hunters in normal season deer and uncapped elk zones have tag limits.
- Required Hunter Report: Hunters have to give a harvest report within 10 days of their season’s closing or within 10 days of harvesting.
ID Deer Licenses & Tags
| Licenses/Permits/Tags | Resident Fees | Nonresident Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Tag | $24.75 | $351.75 |
| Junior Tag | $12.25 | $176.75 |
| Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Tag | $5.75 | $23.75 |
| Controlled Hunt Application – Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Bear, Turkey | $6.25 | $18.00 |
| Archery Permit | $20.00 | $81.75 |
| Archery Permit – Disabled American Veteran (DAV) | $3.75 | $5.75 |
| Muzzleloader Permit | $20.00 | $81.75 |
| Muzzleloader Permit – Disabled American Veteran (DAV) | $3.75 | $5.75 |
Top Idaho Deer Hunting Locations
Unit 39 – Boise River
Close to the Boise River, you’ll find Unit 39. It’s a hot spot in Idaho for seeing mule deer. You’ve got tricky land to navigate with changes in height. You can wander through high meadows or forests in lower lands. It’s not far from Boise, which adds to its appeal. Plus, it serves hunters with varying skills, guaranteeing a satisfying day in the wilderness.
Unit 45 – Bennett Hills
If you’re a fan of white-tailed deer, you might enjoy Unit 45 in Bennett Hills. It’s a big, open place, perfect for spotting and tracking over long distances. Early archery season is especially good with lots of active, big bucks. As fall goes on, the general season begins. This makes it a favorite for Idaho hunters seeking game in the open.
Unit 76 – Bear River Range
In the Bear River Range, Unit 76 is a home to both mule and white-tailed deer enjoying the hilly landscape. The remote wilderness here makes hunting an exciting challenge for the experienced. Thick green woods surround you, with breathtaking views all around. It’s perfect for those craving solitude and a tough backcountry adventure.
Famous Deer Hunting Spots in Idaho
- Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness: It’s known for clear beauty and lots of animals. Think deer, elk, even black bears.
- Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness: This place is famous too. It’s hard to hunt there but it’s worth it. You might get a big deer.
- Salmon-Challis National Forest: It’s a huge forest with lots of different places for hunting. You can find spots high up in the mountains or down in plain fields.
- Clearwater National Forest: It’s full of thick forests and plenty of wildlife. You’ll find great hunting here, especially for deer and elk.
