Idaho Elk Season 2026
Idaho elk season dates start with Aug 1-Oct 31, 2026. The table below keeps every listed elk row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Idaho's listed 2026 elk season runs Aug 1-Oct 31, 2026.
Any Weapon (A Tag) Elk opens Aug 1, 2026 and closes Oct 31, 2026.
Any Weapon (A Tag) Elk opens Aug 1, 2026 and closes Oct 31, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Idaho Fish & Game.
Elk
70 listed rowsElk
Any Weapon (A Tag)
Antlerless only. On/within 1 mile of private irrigated agricultural lands. Also muzzleloader antlerless Nov 25-Dec 9.
Zone: Lemhi Zone - Units 29, 37, 37A only
Elk
Any Weapon (A Tag)
Antlerless only. On/within 1 mile of private irrigated agricultural lands.
Zone: Beaverhead Zone - Unit 30 only
Elk
Any Weapon (A Tag)
Antlerless only. On/within 1 mile of private irrigated agricultural lands.
Zone: Pioneer Zone - Unit 36A only
Elk
Any Weapon (A Tag)
Antlerless only. On private irrigated agricultural lands. See Note 3 page 49.
Zone: Salmon Zone - Unit 21A only
Elk
Any Weapon (A Tag)
Units 20A and 26: antlered only; Unit 27: brow-tined bulls only. 1,551 A Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026.
Zone: Middle Fork Zone (Units 20A, 26, 27)
Elk
Any Weapon (B Tag)
Antlerless only. Extremely limited access. 150 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026.
Zone: Diamond Creek Zone - Portion of Unit 76 only
Elk
Any Weapon (A Tag)
Antlered only. 647 A Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026.
Zone: Selway Zone (Units 16A, 17, 19, 20)
Elk
Any Weapon (A Tag)
Spike only. Also short range weapons only antlerless Aug 15-Sep 30 in Units 23 and 24 outside National Forest System Boundary, and Nov 10-Nov 30.
Zone: McCall Zone (Units 19A, 23, 24, 25)
Elk
Any Weapon (B Tag)
Brow-tined bulls only. 2,380 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026.
Zone: Dworshak Zone (Unit 10A)
Elk
Any Weapon (B Tag)
Antlered only.
Zone: Panhandle Zone (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9)
Elk
Any Weapon (B Tag)
Antlered only. 1,432 B Tag quota. Second elk tags not available. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026.
Zone: Elk City Zone (Units 14, 15, 16)
Elk
Any Weapon (B Tag)
Antlered only. 1,088 B Tag quota first-come first-served. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026.
Zone: Lolo Zone (Units 10, 12)
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ElkAny Weapon (A Tag) · Pioneer Zone - Unit 50 onlyAntlerless only. On/within 1 mile of private agricultural lands outside National Forest System Boundary. Also muzzleloader antlerless Nov 1-Nov 9. | Closed | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Boise River Zone - Unit 38 onlyAny elk Aug 1-Sep 30; antlerless or spike only Oct 1-Dec 31. Very limited access, most elk on private property. | Closed | |
| ElkAny Weapon (A Tag) · Beaverhead Zone - Units 58, 59, 59A onlyAntlerless only. On/within 1 mile of private agricultural lands outside National Forest System Boundary. Also muzzleloader antlerless Oct 15-Oct 31. | Closed | |
| ElkAny Weapon (A Tag) · Palouse Zone (Units 8, 8A, 11A)Antlerless only. On/within 1 mile of private agricultural lands. See Note 1 page 49. | Closed | |
| ElkShort Range Weapon (A Tag) · Snake River Zone - Unit 63A onlyAny elk Aug 1-Aug 31; antlerless only Sep 1-Nov 30. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (B Tag) · Diamond Creek Zone - Portion of Unit 76 onlyAny elk. Extremely limited access because of private property. See Note A. | Closed | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Weiser River Zone - Private land Unit 32 onlyAntlerless only. Also Unit 32 Oct 1-Oct 31 and antlered Oct 25-Nov 3. | Closed | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Brownlee Zone (Unit 31)Antlerless only. On/within 1 mile of agricultural lands outside National Forest System Boundary. Also Nov 15-Nov 30. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · South Hills Zone - Units 55, 56, 57 onlyAny elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies in Unit 56 Aug 30-Nov 14. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (B Tag) · Bear River Zone (Units 75, 77, 78)Spike or antlerless. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Tex Creek Zone (Units 66, 69)Any elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies Aug 30-Nov 14. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Weiser River Zone (Units 22, 32, 32A)Any elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies in Units 32 and 32A Aug 30-Nov 14. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (B Tag) · Tex Creek Zone (Units 66, 69)Spike or antlerless. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Bannock Zone (Units 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74)Any elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies in Unit 73 Aug 30-Nov 14. Also antlerless any weapon Oct 25-Nov 15 and muzzleloader antlerless Dec 1-Dec 31. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Lemhi Zone (Units 29, 37, 37A, 51)Any elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies in Units 29, 37A and 51 Aug 30-Nov 14. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Sawtooth Zone (Units 33, 34, 35, 36)Any elk. 1,000 A Tag quota. Resident capped tags on sale 7/10/2026. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Palisades Zone (Units 64, 65, 67)Any elk. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Panhandle Zone (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9)Antlered only. Also Dec 10-Dec 16 archery antlered only. Sep 15-Sep 21 archery any elk on/within 1 mile of private land in Units 1,2,3,4A,5,6 only. See archers caution page 36. CWD transport rules apply in portion of Unit 1. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Bear River Zone (Units 75, 77, 78)Any elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies Aug 30-Nov 14. Also antlerless any weapon Oct 25-Nov 15 and muzzleloader antlerless Dec 1-Dec 31. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Brownlee Zone (Unit 31)Any elk. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · McCall Zone (Units 19A, 23, 24, 25)Any elk. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Lolo Zone (Units 10, 12)Antlered only. 404 A Tag quota first-come first-served. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Diamond Creek Zone (Units 66A, 76)Any elk. 1,836 A Tag quota. Motorized Hunting Rule applies Aug 30-Nov 14. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Elk City Zone - Units 15 & 16 onlyAntlered only. 628 A Tag quota. Second elk tags not available. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Boise River Zone - Unit 39 onlyAny elk Nov 10-Nov 30 archery only. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Salmon Zone - Units 21, 21A, 36B onlyAny elk. Also Unit 28 archery Dec 1-Dec 31. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Smoky-Bennett Zone - Units 43 and 48 onlyAny elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies in Units 45 and 52 Aug 30-Nov 14. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Beaverhead Zone (Units 30, 30A, 58, 59, 59A)Any elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies in Units 58, 59 and 59A Aug 30-Nov 14. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Dworshak Zone (Unit 10A)Antlered only. Also muzzleloader Dec 2-Dec 14. 1,171 A Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Island Park Zone (Units 60, 60A, 61, 62, 62A)Any elk. B Tags - see controlled hunts. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Big Desert Zone - Units 52A, 68 onlyAny elk. Also Unit 68 Aug 1-Aug 30 archery and Unit 68A Aug 1-Dec 31 archery. Unit 53 short range weapons only any elk Aug 1-Dec 31. Motorized Hunting Rule applies in Units 52A and 53 Aug 30-Nov 14. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Pioneer Zone (Units 36A, 49, 50)Any elk. Motorized Hunting Rule applies in Unit 50 Aug 30-Nov 14. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (A Tag) · Palouse Zone (Units 8, 8A, 11A)Any elk. | Closed | |
| ElkArchery (B Tag) · Panhandle Zone (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9)Antlered only. | Closed | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Selway Zone (Units 16A, 17, 19, 20)Antlered only. Also Nov 1-Nov 11. 1,067 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Closed | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Middle Fork Zone (Units 20A, 26, 27)Units 20A and 26: antlered only; Unit 27: brow-tined bulls only. Also Nov 1-Nov 18. 1,636 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Closed | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Palouse Zone (Units 8, 8A, 11A)Antlered only. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Sawtooth Zone (Units 33, 34, 35, 36)Antlered only. 1,800 B Tag quota. Resident capped tags on sale 7/10/2026. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · McCall Zone (Units 19A, 23, 24, 25)Antlered only. Short range weapons only within described boundaries in Unit 24. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Palisades Zone (Units 64, 65, 67)Antlered only. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Bear River Zone (Units 75, 77, 78)Antlered only. 550 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Tex Creek Zone (Units 66, 69)Antlered only. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Salmon Zone (Units 21, 21A, 28, 36B)Antlered only. 2,507 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (A Tag) · Tex Creek Zone (Units 66, 69)Antlerless only. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · South Hills Zone - Unit 56 onlyAntlerless only. 500 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (A Tag) · Panhandle Zone (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9)Antlered only. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Boise River Zone - Unit 39 onlyAntlered only. Portion of unit closed. See Note B. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (A Tag) · Weiser River Zone - Unit 32 onlyAntlerless only. Short range weapons only on Payette River and Montour WMAs. Very limited access. Also private land Nov 16-Nov 30. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Big Desert Zone - Units 52A, 68 onlyAntlerless only. 350 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Smoky-Bennett Zone - Units 44, 45, 52 onlyAntlerless only. 600 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Upcoming | |
| ElkAny Weapon (B Tag) · Pioneer Zone (Units 36A, 49, 50)Antlerless only. 500 B Tag quota. Capped tags on sale 7/8/2026. | Upcoming | |
| ElkMuzzleloader (A Tag) · Island Park Zone - Unit 61 onlySpike or antlerless. | Upcoming | |
| ElkMuzzleloader (A Tag) · Panhandle Zone - Units 4, 7 and 9 onlyAntlered only. | Upcoming | |
| ElkMuzzleloader (A Tag) · Elk City Zone - Units 14 and 16 onlyAntlerless only. CWD transport rules apply in Unit 14. | Upcoming | |
| ElkMuzzleloader (A Tag) · Palouse Zone - Units 8 and 11A only (on/within 1 mile of private agricultural lands)Antlerless only. | Upcoming | |
| ElkMuzzleloader (A Tag) · Dworshak Zone (Unit 10A)Antlered only. | Upcoming | |
| ElkMuzzleloader (A Tag) · Palouse Zone - Unit 8A onlySpike or antlerless Dec 2-Dec 5; spike only Dec 6-Dec 14. | Upcoming | |
| ElkMuzzleloader (A Tag) · Panhandle Zone - Units 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5 only (on/within 1 mile of private land)Antlerless only. See Note A. | Upcoming |
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Nearby elk seasons
Idaho Elk Season FAQ
When does elk season open in Idaho?
August 1, 2026 is the earliest listed elk opener in Idaho — any weapon (a tag) elk runs Aug 1-Oct 31, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Idaho Fish & Game.
What are the 2026 elk season dates in Idaho?
Idaho lists 70 elk season windows: Any Weapon (A Tag) Elk (Aug 1-Oct 31, 2026); Any Weapon (A Tag) Elk (Aug 1-29, 2026); Any Weapon (B Tag) Elk (Aug 1-Sep 30, 2026); Any Weapon (A Tag) Elk (Aug 1-29, 2026); Any Weapon (A Tag) Elk (Aug 1-Sep 15, 2026); Short Range Weapon (A Tag) Elk (Aug 1-31, 2026); Any Weapon (A Tag) Elk (Aug 1-Oct 31, 2026); Archery (B Tag) Elk (Aug 1-Sep 30, 2026); and more. Always verify against Idaho Fish & Game before hunting.
Are there different elk seasons in Idaho?
Yes — Idaho lists separate elk seasons for Any Weapon (A Tag) Elk, Any Weapon (B Tag) Elk, Short Range Weapon (A Tag) Elk, Archery (B Tag) Elk, Archery (A Tag) Elk, Muzzleloader (A Tag) Elk. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Idaho Fish & Game.
Do I need a license to hunt elk in Idaho?
Yes. Idaho generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and elk hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Idaho Fish & Game.