Hunting in Idaho: 10 Great Public Hunting Lands

With over 83,000 square miles of farmland in the Gem State, there’s no wonder why there are multiple of the best places to hunt in Idaho. The Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas are home to a variety of big game.

When hunting in Idaho, one might spot a mountain goat, bear, elk, mule deer, or other creature. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, it’s essential to know about the requirements for hunting in Idaho.

Please refer to the Idaho Fish and Game resources to read updated information regarding tags, permits, and licenses. Now, let’s take a look at some of the best places to hunt a variety of game throughout the state.

The Best Places to Hunt in Idaho

1. Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest

First on our list is Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. This hunting area is located in North Central Idaho in Grangeville. Here you will find nearly two million acres of stunning landscape. There are mountains, hillsides, and rivers filled with a variety of animals you can hunt.

The weather in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest is dry and warm in the summer. Winter temperatures typically sit around 30 degrees, with no shortage of snow. To hunt in this area, contact Shattuck Creek Outfitters.

You’ll be able to bag a variety of animals with this company. Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest gives you the opportunity to hunt deer, mountain lions, moose, bears, and elk.

2. Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

Next, let’s stop at Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. You’ll find this hunting area in both Idaho and Montana, so be sure you have the proper licenses necessary for the location you’re visiting. This protected wilderness consists of 1.3 million acres.

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is among the biggest wilderness areas in the entire country! The summers here are beautiful with a maximum temperature of 88 degrees. Winters can drop down to a chilly 25 degrees.

There’s no shortage of big game in Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Ready Outfitters is one of the companies that can help you hunt for moose, mountain lions, bears, whitetail deer, elk, and even wolves.

3. Frank Church-River of No Return

Third on our list is Frank Church-River of No Return. The name sounds quite intimidating and it could be because Frank Church-River of No Return is spread across six distinct national forests.

There is also a bit of land within the area that’s managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This is one of the best places to hunt in Idaho because there are over two million acres to roam.

The landscape consists of everything from rough mountains to raging rivers to unexplored canyons. Summer days are nice in the region with a maximum temperature of around 85 degrees.

Winters can get quite chilly, with temperatures dipping all the way to 13 degrees! If you want to hunt in Frank Church-River of No Return, get in touch with Mile High Outfitters. You’ll be able to hunt mountain goats, deer, bears, wolves, mountain lions, and more!

4. Jim Mcclure-Jerry Peak Wilderness

Another one of the best places to hunt in Idaho is in Custer County. Jim Mcclure-Jerry Peak Wilderness is a protected region that consists of steep slopes, vast shrubland, and more. Summer can get quite warm here, topping off at around 90 degrees!

Hunting in the winter will have you outdoors in a nippy 20 degrees. We suggest using Mystic Saddle Ranch for guided hunting in Jim Mcclure-Jerry Peak Wilderness. This company helps hunters hunt wolves, deer, bears, elk, and more.

5. Salmon-Challis National Forest

If you’re looking for a place to hunt in Idaho more toward North Fork, consider Salmon-Challis National Forest. This place truly feels endless with over four million acres to explore. The summers here get to a balmy 61 degrees, while winter temperatures can hit around 15 degrees.

Salmon-Challis National Forest is best explored with a guide from Middle Fork Outfitters. They allow hunters to participate in guided hunts as well as fair chase hunts. Some of the animals here include bighorn sheep, mountain lion, mountain goat, elk, bear, and deer.

6. Gospel Hump Wilderness

Southeast of Grangeville sits Gospel Hump Wilderness. Covering over 200,000 acres of protected wilderness, you’re bound to find big game to hunt here. The elevation ranges from about 2,000 feet to nearly 9,000 feet!

Temperatures while turkey hunting in August will have you out in temperatures around 80 degrees. Winter temperatures get in the mid-teens. For hunting in Gospel Hump Wilderness, contact Spur Outfitters and Lodge.

Not only will they help you hunt large animals in Idaho, but they also offer accommodations as well. You’ll find elk, bears, deer, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and more here.

7. Yellow Pine

The next best place to hunt in Idaho is in Valley County. Yellow Pine may be smaller than the other areas mentioned thus far, but there are a plethora of animals to hunt here. With just 637 acres, plan to be surrounded by stunning country vistas.

Yellow Pine has a unique climate with winter temperatures dipping well below freezing. Buck Horn Outfitters is a great option for hunting big game in Idaho. They’ll guide you through Yellow Pine on foot and horseback.

Here you can find black bears, mountain lions, wolves, elk, and mule deer.

8. Pioneer Mountains

It’s hard to beat the stunning landscape that is the Pioneer Mountains. This massive mountain range is in Custer, Blaine, and Butte counties. There are two national forests here, Sawtooth and Challis, that are waiting to be explored.

Summer weather in the Pioneer Mountains tends to be comfortable, with temperatures staying below the mid-80s. Winters, as expected, can be quite cold. Temperatures can reach around 10 degrees come January.

If you’re interested in hunting within the Pioneer Mountains, consider reaching out to Little Wood River Outfitters. They can aid you in a hunt for large wild animals such as bears, elk, and deer.

9. Idaho Panhandle National Forests

It’s hard to beat the sheer size of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The entire area consists of around 2.5 million acres! Elevations can range from 2,000 feet to a towering 8,000 feet!

If you prefer to hunt in cooler temperatures, consider visiting Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The average temperature in July is just 59 degrees! To hunt in Idaho for big game around within these forests, Clark Fork Outfitters can guide you.

Hunters prefer this outfitter because they offer a variety of hunting options. You can camp, stay at a lodge, or simply partake in a day hunt. You’ll be able to hunt moose, bobcat, wolf, mountain lion, elk, deer, and bear here.

10. Payette National Forest

In West-Central Idaho, Payette National Forest offers hunting to locals and visitors. This stunning forest spans over two million acres and reaches nearly 10,000 feet in elevation. It’s important to note that winter months here can be quite snowy, so dress accordingly.

In Payette National Forest elk, mountain lions, mule deer, bears, and wolves roam. Elk Spring Outfitters will help hunters with guided hunts to find big game animals such as these.

Summary of the Best Places to Hunt in Idaho

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Kirk Fisher/Shutterstock.com