Resident deer tag |
$24.75 |
Nonresident deer tag |
$351.75 |
Resident junior deer tag |
$12.50 |
Nonresident junior mentored deer tag |
$176.75 |
Resident controlled hunt application fee |
$6.25 |
Nonresident controlled hunt application fee |
$18 |
Resident deer tag | $24.75 |
Nonresident deer tag | $351.75 |
Resident junior deer tag | $12.50 |
Nonresident junior mentored deer tag | $176.75 |
Resident controlled hunt application fee | $6.25 |
Nonresident controlled hunt application fee | $18 |
Whitetail deer in Idaho have been gaining in popularity as numbers and range have increased considerably over the past 30 years. The Gem State offers excellent hunting opportunities, including some seasons in late November and December after big game seasons have ended in other Western states. In Game Management Units 1 through 18 in the northern part of the state, nearly 96% of the deer harvested in the past five seasons have been whitetails. Percentages are lower farther south, but in some units, such as lowland units near Idaho Falls, the percentage is high. Those deer are descendants of whitetails released near Heise. Hunters in some areas focus almost entirely on mule deer, so whitetails don’t get a lot of attention and consequently often grow old enough to have big racks. In some units all whitetails live on private land, but good numbers also inhabit public land, including some roadless and designated wilderness areas. General season tags in most units are good for taking mule deer or whitetail deer, but in some places are valid only for hunting whitetails. The state also issues whitetail-only tags, which in some areas allow hunting during later dates than mule deer seasons. Most tags are sold over the counter. But in some units or for prime hunting dates in others, hunters must apply for tags through the annual controlled permit lottery. The state allows hunters to buy a second deer tag for hunting in general season units if nonresidents don’t buy all the tags allocated to them. A high percentage of bucks have 8 or 10 total points and score more than 130” Boone and Crockett.
** Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if any part of the unit is found within the county.
** Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if any part of the unit is found within the county.
Applications are submitted online
A good percentage of bucks have eight or 10 total antler tines
The minimum age to hunt was lowered from 12 years to 10 years of age
Some hunts are for youth hunters only
Hunters, especially youth hunters, may shoot bucks or does in many areas
In some flat areas, only short-range weapons may be used
Mule deer hunters in most areas may take a whitetail if a big buck presents itself
Often overlooked as most deer hunters pursue mule deer
Bucks exceeding 150” Boone and Crockett live in many units
Some bucks grow to record-book size in general season units
Whitetails are scarce in some units but greatly outnumber muleys in most others
Some private land is open to hunting through game department arrangements
Hunters may hunt during the rut in many units with good whitetail numbers
By switching units, general tag holders can hunt many weeks per year
County |
# of entries |
Units within county |
Bonner |
10 |
Nez Perce |
8 |
Kootenai |
7 |
Latah |
5 |
Clearwater |
3 |