Season windows from official Idaho Department of Fish and Game data, organized by species, unit, weapon, and tag type so you can line up realistic hunt dates before you apply.
Earliest Archery Open
Aug 15, 2026
2026 season
Latest Rifle Close
Oct 31, 2026
2026 season
Total Seasons
12
across all species
The 2026 Idaho calendar spans 12 season windows across 5 species, opening as early as Aug 15, 2026 for archery and running through Oct 31, 2026 for rifle. Each species carries its own archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates, and many vary by unit.
Line these windows up against the application deadlines before you apply, since drawing a tag you can't hunt around your schedule is a wasted point year. Dates below come from official Idaho Department of Fish and Game records; use the year selector above to compare seasons across years.
| Season | Weapon | Opens | Closes | Tag Type | Tags Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statewide · rifle | Rifle | Apr 15, 2026 | Jun 30, 2026 | Draw | – |
Statewide · archery | Archery | Aug 30, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | Draw | – |
When does hunting season open in Idaho in 2026?
The earliest Idaho 2026 archery season we track opens Aug 15, 2026, and the latest rifle season runs through Oct 31, 2026. Dates vary by species, unit, and weapon; check the full breakdown below. Source: official Idaho Department of Fish and Game records.
What can I hunt in Idaho in 2026?
We track 12 Idaho 2026 season windows across 5 species: Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Whitetail. Each has its own archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates by unit.
Want draw odds and point projections for Idaho?
Tag Planner models your draw timeline, true cost, and ROI across every western state. Free to try.
Last updated Jun 23, 2026 from official Idaho Department of Fish and Game records.
| Season | Weapon | Opens | Closes | Tag Type | Tags Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statewide · archery | Archery | Aug 30, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | Draw | – |
Statewide · rifle | Rifle | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | Draw | – |
Statewide · muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Nov 10, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | Draw | – |
| Season | Weapon | Opens | Closes | Tag Type | Tags Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statewide · archery | Archery | Aug 30, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | Draw | – |
Statewide · rifle | Rifle | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | Draw | – |
Statewide · muzzleloader | Muzzleloader | Nov 10, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | Draw | – |
| Season | Weapon | Opens | Closes | Tag Type | Tags Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statewide · archery | Archery | Aug 15, 2026 | Aug 31, 2026 | Draw | – |
Statewide · rifle | Rifle | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Draw | – |
| Season | Weapon | Opens | Closes | Tag Type | Tags Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statewide · archery | Archery | Aug 30, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | Draw | – |
Statewide · rifle | Rifle | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | Draw | – |
