23 July Final Opportunity for an Idaho Elk and Deer 2026 Combo Hunt July 23, 2026By George McQuiston (blog) Announcements, Elk In Rut, General Information, Guided Hunts, Mule Deer Deer Hunts, Deer-Hunts, Elk Hunts, Elk-Hunts, Idaho hunting, Idaho Hunts, Idaho wilderness hunts, Mule Deer Hunts, Mule-Deer-Hunts 0 By some lucky chance, we are in possession of 2 elk and 2 deer tags still for this 2026 Idaho hunting season and the space we have available is right during the elk rut and is a rifle season! That’s right, hunt elk during the rut in Central Idaho with a rifle!With the mild winters we have had the last few years (lack of winter kill) and the moisture we are getting this summer (amazing feed and feed value for the critters), the antler growth and sheer numbers of animals we are seeing is amazing and we can’t help but believe that we are setting up for a very memorable and productive 2026 Idaho hunting season. So, if you have gotten all your draw results in and you still just drew goose eggs this year from all the states you applied in, there may be one last chance in Idaho’s famous Frank Church River of No return Wilderness area in Central Idaho’s big game unit 27.Contact us today for more info or to book this last opportunity to hunt September 14-20, 2026 with a rifle. Related Posts An Idaho Elk Hunt to Remember This is a “short” story about a hunter/client/friend of ours who is part of a group of guys we affectionately call the “Cali boys”. His name is Bill Bunch and someone in his group has hunted with us consistently for 11 straight seasons. He is one of those guys that in my opinion is a true sportsman. Let me explain. 10 Reasons Why Idaho is THE Best Place to Hunt in the West in 2014 1. Tags…Idaho has tags 2. Game…Idaho has always, and is doing even more so now, producing good QUALITY elk, deer and bear, and now we can even hunt wolves. Spot Available for Late Season Idaho Mule Deer Hunt in the Rut Putting in for draw hunts in multiple states, at first glance, seems like it would increase your odds of drawing a tag…and you would be right…BUT it also increases your chances at drawing the potentially unwanted scenario of drawing 2 tags in 2 states and being married to a woman who only allows 1 hunt per year New Idaho Youth Deer Hunting Opportunity Because of some recent changes in antlerless deer tags allowed in our area and recent Idaho laws changed involving private lands, Idaho and specifically Wild Idaho Outfitters is able to offer a new and unique youth deer hunting opportunity. Idaho Controlled-Hunt Application Period Now Open for Elk, Deer, Antelope, and Fall Bear The tag application period in Idaho for controlled-hunt elk, deer, pronghorn, and fall bear tags runs from May 1 to June 5. Successful applicants will be notified by July 10, and tags must be purchased by August 1. Tags not purchased by August 1 will be forfeited to a second application period, which runs from August 5 to August 15. Idaho OTC Deer Tags: A Finite Resource Idaho has some great opportunities for hunting trophy mule deer with OTC tags on public land—as good as or better than anywhere in the West. General, OTC, any-weapon deer tags are valid in any game unit in the state which is not limited to controlled-hunt tags only. This includes the general deer seasons in Units 27 and 28 where Wild Idaho Outfitters and Castle Creek Outfitters operate. Comment (0)