Deer Hunting Regulations
2023 DEER HUNTING SEASONS
Hunters with valid Idaho licenses and tags in their possession can hunt mule deer and/or white-tailed deer.
Bag Limit:
No person may take more than one deer per legal tag in his or her possession.
Can I purchase more than one deer tag?
Beginning in early August, residents and nonresidents may buy one unsold nonresident general season deer and/or elk tag at the nonresident price to be used as a second tag except second deer tags cannot be used in Units 10, 10A, 12, 16A, 17, 19 and 20. Second elk tags are not available for the Elk City Zone. Extra controlled hunts and depredation hunts also offer the opportunity for hunters to purchase an additional controlled hunt tag.
Youth only hunt:
Some deer hunts are for youth only.
Antlered deer:
Deer with at least one antler longer than 3 inches. In "antlered only" seasons, or any hunt with point restrictions, antlers must accompany the carcass while in transit.
Antlerless deer:
Deer without antlers or with antlers shorter than 3 inches may be taken in a season open for antlerless deer or either sex.
Two-point deer:
Deer with no more than two points on one side, not including the brow point or tine, and at least one antler longer than 3 inches (as long as a deer has no more than two points on one antler, it may have multiple points on the other antler). A point is an antler projection that is at least 1 inch long and longer than the width of the projection.
Three-point deer:
Deer having at least one antler with three or more points, not including the brow point or tine.
Species identification:
In seasons restricted to mule deer only or white-tailed deer only, if the head is removed, the fully-haired tail must be left naturally attached to the carcass.
Archery and Muzzleloader Permits
Any person hunting in an "archery only" season, including controlled hunts, must have their license with archery permit validation. Any person hunting in a "muzzleloader only" season, including controlled hunts, must have their license with muzzleloader permit validation.
Option to Use Nonresident Deer/Elk Tags
An unfilled nonresident deer/elk tag may be used in the same hunt unit/zone/area to harvest a black bear, mountain lion, or gray wolf instead of a deer/elk, as long as the season for black bear, mountain lion, or gray wolf is also open at the same time and location as the deer/elk hunt.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):
CWD testing is required for deer, elk, and moose harvested in a designated CWD management zone (Units 14 and 15 as of February 2023) within 10 days of harvest. For more information visit idfg.idaho.gov/cwd for the most up-to-date information.
Resident Deer Hunters!
Resident deer hunters may choose either a regular deer tag or a white-tailed deer tag. The regular deer tag is valid for any hunt listed under “2023 Regular Deer Tag Seasons” on pages 11-15 and may be used to take a mule deer or white-tailed deer during those seasons.
The white-tailed deer tag is valid for white-tailed deer only, for any hunt listed under “2023 White-tailed Deer Tag Seasons”.
Nonresident Hunters
Nonresident hunters in general season deer and uncapped elk zone hunts are limited.
Mandatory Hunter Report
For each deer, elk or pronghorn tag purchased, hunters must submit a report 10 days after harvest, or if the hunter did not hunt or harvest, 10 days after the closing date of their season.
