Idaho Hunting

Joined
Oct 12, 2021
Messages
42
My wife and I are considering making the move to Idaho. Currently, I live in a state where I can legally kill 7 deer per fall and have opportunities for other game animals you’d expect in the Midwest/South - turkey, small game, etc. Our family eats 90% wild game and that’s something I want to continue no matter where I live. What kind of opportunity could one expect in Idaho on a regular and consistent basis? What hunting opportunities can one look forward to year in and year out? Any responses are appreciated!
 
Joined
Jun 17, 2016
Messages
1,297
Location
ID
Referring to deer specifically.

Per person: one deer per year and you can put in for extra deer tag which is a controlled tag. Potentially 2 deer per year per person. Depends on mule deer or WTD. Mule deer average harvest stats ~ 25% +/- depending upon unit and can vary year-to-year based on Winter kill etc. So, it's definitely not a guarantee.
 

farmermail

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 24, 2018
Messages
132
Location
Southwest ID
Idaho will take a few years of trial/error to consistently harvest game. If you befriend folks who are consistently successful, will certainly shorten the learning curve. Overall, great opportunity for residents with all the OTC tags, controlled hunts, etc. Is it like many states east of the Mississippi where getting a deer or two a year is pretty much a given? Probably not.
 
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
627
Location
Boise
Unless you know somebody in northern Idaho with a farm covered in whitetail, I think trying to eat wild game 90% of the time is gonna tough (in any western state, tbh). Elk are on the menu, too, so to speak, but I'd be hesitant to plan on getting an elk or two every year.
 
Joined
May 2, 2016
Messages
631
Location
Reno, NV
Spring bear and archery pronghorn every year. Fall bear if you are unsuccessful in the spring.

Plenty of small game and waterfowl depending on where you're moving to.

Obviously mule deer, whitetails, and elk would be included in your sportsman's package.

You'll also want to look in surrounding states. Opportunity is there for those who look for it.
 

Broomd

WKR
Joined
Sep 29, 2014
Messages
4,274
Location
North Idaho
There is some awesome grass fed beef to be had around here. It's not free but cheaper than hunting wild game.
Yep, we get our elk about 50% of the years. two whitetail (wife and I) about every year. We also trade some deer and elk every year with Alaskan friends for red salmon.
But we sure enjoy the home-raised beef! It sells fast too!
 

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IdahoSwede

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 13, 2022
Messages
159
My wife and I are considering making the move to Idaho. Currently, I live in a state where I can legally kill 7 deer per fall and have opportunities for other game animals you’d expect in the Midwest/South - turkey, small game, etc. Our family eats 90% wild game and that’s something I want to continue no matter where I live. What kind of opportunity could one expect in Idaho on a regular and consistent basis? What hunting opportunities can one look forward to year in and year out? Any responses are appreciated!

I grew up in Wisconsin where whitetail are plentiful. If meat is what you are after you WILL work harder to fill the freezer. However in my opinion the experiences are much cooler along the way.
 

johnsd16

WKR
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
382
Location
North Idaho
Totally depends on where. In N Idaho the whitetail density and turkeys definitely provide more opportunity than areas with fewer whitetail and turkey. Surrounding states have good cow elk opportunities to supplement Idaho resident opportunity if meat is the priority.
 
OP
Pilgrim2094
Joined
Oct 12, 2021
Messages
42
Thanks everyone for the responses. I suppose there are pros and cons to everything! I would still plan on coming back east every year for family visits where I could most likely kill a whitetail or two while back home. I long for the mountain lifestyle and happily accept the challenges that come with it. Again, I appreciate the responses.
 

bigv

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 28, 2018
Messages
177
Location
south dakota
Where do you waterfowl hunt in ID? What part of state? Field, water etc. Just curious. Highly doubt I'd ever hunt there just a waterfowl junky in SD.
 

SWOHTR

WKR
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
1,536
Location
Briney foam
If you're considering the move based on hunting opportunities to feed your family, I'd reconsider. You'll be able to easily fill your one deer tag, yeah that's no problem. It's the rest of the "trial and error" for the other big game that'll give you fits.
 

NMJM

FNG
Joined
Aug 2, 2022
Messages
55
Location
New Mexico
One more thing to consider is you will most likely have to drive much further and be away from home longer to get that elk than you do to hunt where you live now.
 
Joined
Dec 3, 2022
Messages
87
Place is overrated and will be over
Populated soon enough ….if you could substain being far from town then do it. If not. Hmmm. Tons of good small towns and a few not so good
Boise area ,definitely think twice before that. It’s not bad but give it 10 years. It’s Too expensive there and definitely way to expensive in northern Idaho. SE has a little better prices for homes I think. But maybe your not concerned on price points. Most people are when they move.


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Joined
Dec 3, 2022
Messages
87
I’m not sure where your at now but over population has a whole set of problems. Aside from hunting/fishing.
I’ll keep the California stuff out if it because the ones I have met are SUPER Conservative and probably better than some of local haters.
BUT Look at any bigger town/city on the West Coast ! Idaho isn’t that far away and wont be protected from the west coast trash and their policy’s for ever.
Just my opinion and I hope I’m wrong.

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