Elk, Mule Deer, Bear & Wolf Hunting Blog

Half Time for the First Part of Idaho Hunting Application Season

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:30:00 GMT

It’s half time for the first application draw of the 2026 Idaho hunt application season. Have you applied yet? The good news is that if you haven’t yet, there is still time and the better news is that we don’t have to suffer through some rotten rabbit singing half time songs for us.

This is just a friendly reminder to DON’T do what I do and procrastinate putting in for your preferred trophy animal in Idaho.

The best part about Idaho hunting draws is that there are no points so literally everyone that applies has the same chance of drawing. Now, obviously, the coveted “trophy” species have long odds of drawing, but life has taught me on many a May 1 mornings, that my odds of drawing would have been way better had I actually applied verses saying “tomorrow I’ll apply” enough times that the morning of May 1 rolls around and my odds of drawing turned out to be zero.

So, this is just a gentle reminder that if you have not applied for your favorite trophy species in Idaho yet and are planning on doing so, now is a great time to get after it, and, oh yeah, don’t forget to file your taxes. It is April 15.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Final Week to Apply for Idaho Big Game Hunts

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Most western states draw results are out by now and we know this because we are already getting the call of “do you have any openings, because we didn’t draw in (my preferred) state”.

Idaho seems to be a bit behind and their deadline for applications is June 5.

So, if you know of some “trophy” area you want to apply for in Idaho, be sure to get your application in before the deadline on June 5 and good luck to you!

Happy application season and remember to put a kid in the draw with you!

Remember, if you don’t draw, you can still reach out to an Idaho outfitter to see about last minute cancellations or remaining opportunities for this year or following years’ hunts!

2025 Idaho Trophy Species Application Season

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 21:27:26 GMT

It wasn’t just another April Fool’s Day this April 1st. No, it was the official opener of “Trophy Species” application season. You know, the season that comes every year. The one we all anticipate, get excited about, talk to our friends about, seek the public’s help with on social media and then finally decide for ourselves what unit we are going to put in for the chance to hunt moose, big horn sheep, or mountain goat, only to get that letter or email simply stating “unsuccessful”.

Not to be too much of a downer, a wise man once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.

I have to believe that is every hunter’s motto, so we still faithfully apply.

So, get out your Idaho 2025 Trophy Species Rule book, scan social media, talk to booking agents, friends or even complete strangers and maybe as a last resort, consult an Idaho outfitter about which unit they believe is the best for your chosen target, and by golly, take that shot and put in your application!

Remember that Trophy Species application season ends April 30, so best get started on that research journey now!

Good luck in the draw this year and hope to see you on the mountain!

Application Season Part 2

Mon, 24 May 2021 21:23:00 GMT

It’s Round 2 of applying for your 2021 hunting trips to Idaho. By now you know if you drew a once in a lifetime tag, or tags in many other states, but Idaho is just now applying for elk, deer, antelope, fall bear and fall turkey tags for the 2021 season.

If you have been unlucky so far in the other states, you may want to try Idaho since our OTC (over the counter tags) sold out in record time, it appears your only choice this year is to apply for a draw hunt or book with an outfitter who may still have some guaranteed elk and deer tags left. Antelope is always draw in most states I believe.

The application season runs through June 5. Research the area you want, apply and hope!

To apply for your Idaho draw hunts, visit this link http://license.gooutdoorsidaho.com/, Login or Enroll, and follow the instructions.

Best of luck and win, lose, or draw (pun intended), get out and enjoy your public lands!

Happy hunting!

Hunting News

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 05:00:00 GMT

No changes in 2020 Idaho hunting/fishing seasons due to COVID-19

Idaho Fish and Game has established a new page on its website to provide you with information concerning changes in hunting/fishing regs or dates due to COVID-19. So far so good, as there are no drastic changes. “Traditional hunting and fishing seasons remain unaffected.” Click https://idfg.idaho.gov/covid19 for details and updates.

Changes in capped elk tags for Idaho residents

As of March 20, Idaho residents who applied for a controlled-hunt elk tag in 2020 will have to wait 5 days to purchase capped elk-zone tags when tags go on sale in July, “regardless of whether the person draws the controlled hunt tag”. That last part is a bit harsh. Fish & Game figures it will reduce the initial demand for first-come, first-served, capped tags when they go on sale as “demand far exceeds supply” in some elk zones. The waiting period does not apply to nonresident tags, which have been on sale since December 1, 2019. For details see: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/attention-elk-hunters-if-you-apply-controlled-elk-hunt-2020-you-will-be-ineligible-buy-capped

Idaho trophy species tags open for application

The tag application period for Idaho trophy species (moose/sheep/goat) runs from April 1st to April 30th. Idaho does not use a bonus/preference point system and hunters can only apply for 1 of the 3 trophy species per year. If you do apply for any of the 3 trophy species you are also not permitted to apply for any controlled-hunt elk, deer, or pronghorn tags the same year. This tag-allocation system limits applicants-per-species greatly, which offers you reasonable odds of drawing a tag. For more information on applying for Idaho trophy species tags see Castle Creek Outfitters April 1st blog post: https://www.castlecreekoutfitters.com/

Idaho Fish & Game increases the limit on wolf tags

Beginning this year, the statewide limit on gray wolf in Idaho has increased to 15 wolves taken by hunting, and 15 wolves taken by trapping. Previously, the limits had been either 5 or 10 wolves per hunting and trapping season, depending on region. This won’t affect many hunters, though it shows that the state of Idaho has their act together when it comes to managing wolves. My home state of Minnesota is overrun with wolves and they can’t get a simple season passed with a 1-wolf limit. According to Idaho Fish & Game, in 2019 there were 5 people total in the state, who harvested more than 10 wolves each (from a combination of hunting and trapping). For details see: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/fg-commission-increases-number-wolf-tags-hunters-and-trappers-can- purchase

Good hunting,

Joe Cavanaugh

Don’t be a fool this April 1. Get out and hunt Idaho spring bears and apply for a trophy species.

Sun, 02 Apr 2017 21:50:23 GMT

April 1 is the beginning of a lot of cool things here in Idaho. It is the official beginning day of the backcountry spring bear seasons and it is the day to begin the application process for Idaho trophy species. Idaho defines trophy species as Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats and Moose.

If you have the desire to hunt one of these species in Idaho this year, it is time to put in your application. Your application can be done online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/ or if you are in Idaho, you can visit your local license vendor. If you have never applied and are curious about some of the better spots to apply, feel free to Contact Us and we will share with you what we know about what is available.

We outfit and guide in area 27 and there are a couple of different sheep options, but there is only 1 moose tag. This moose hunt is tough as the area is huge and the moose are very elusive. Kelly and I have been lucky enough to draw that tag in the very recent years and we both were able to harvest pretty nice representative Shiras Bull Moose. This is not a trophy area by large antler measures, but can be a very cool hunt as we can combine with an elk and deer hunt to make it an “ultimate ungulate hunt”!

The odds of drawing this hunt are very good as last year only 4 hunters applied for that 1 tag. Those odds are almost as good as drawing a cow elk tag! So, if a moose is on your bucket list and you wouldn’t mind hunting elk and deer along with it, Contact Us and let’s visit about getting you in the drawing.

This winter was a deep and long one, so if you have cabin fever as we do and are excitedly watching the winters’ snow inch its way up the mountainside, it’s time to start really planning for your fall hunts and get out and possibly get in your first or fiftieth Idaho Spring Bear. Either way, get out and enjoy our wonderful public lands.

See you in the woods!