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Idaho hunters heading into fall have a lot to like.
Idaho Fish and Game’s newly released 2026 Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook paints an encouraging picture after the state’s third consecutive mild winter. The agency says strong overwinter survival, healthy animals, and improving herd conditions could make this an average-to-above-average season for both deer and elk hunters.
The big theme, according to Idaho Fish and Game Deer and Elk Coordinator Toby Boudreau, is simple: “Highly promising.”
That optimism starts with winter survival. Statewide, 83% of collared mule deer fawns and 95% of collared elk calves survived the 2025-26 winter. For perspective, Fish and Game says roughly 57% of collared mule deer fawns typically survive winter.
That kind of survival means heavier young animals, healthier herds, and a stronger start to antler growth before fall.
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Elk Numbers Look Solid, But Drought Could Move Them
Elk hunters can expect animals to be in good shape after the mild winter. Idaho Fish and Game says the state’s elk population is heading into fall in outstanding condition, and biologists are optimistic 2026 could be a better-than-average elk season.
The wild card is the landscape.
A hot, dry summer and active wildfires could change where elk are found. Hunters may need to put in more work to locate them, especially if weather patterns or late-season moisture keep animals at higher elevations where feed is still available.
Idaho hunters took 21,505 elk in 2025, a 2.4% increase from 2024. The statewide elk success rate was 23%, with controlled hunts producing a 40% success rate.
Mule Deer Continue Their Climb
Mule deer appear to be on a positive track after getting hammered by severe winter conditions in eastern Idaho several years ago.
The past few mild winters have helped herds rebound. Idaho Fish and Game says male mule deer fawn weights have increased about 10.6% over the last four years, while female fawn weights have risen roughly 12%.
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That matters because strong fawn survival means more young bucks entering the population. It also gives more mature bucks a chance to reach older age classes.
Idaho’s 2025 mule deer harvest reached 24,588 animals, up 2.8% from the year before. The overall hunter success rate was 32%.
Whitetails Remain Strong Despite EHD Concerns
Idaho’s whitetail hunters should also have opportunities this fall, though Fish and Game will continue watching for signs of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD.
The 2025 outbreak resulted in more than 1,400 reported suspected whitetail deaths in parts of the Clearwater and Panhandle regions. Still, the agency says whitetail populations remain robust overall and are well above conservation concern across much of the region.
The 2025 whitetail harvest was 19,702 deer, right around Idaho’s 10-year average.
The bottom line: Idaho hunters should be encouraged, but they should still scout hard, watch wildfire conditions, and stay flexible as weather changes animal movement. The deer and elk appear to be there. Finding them may just take some adapting.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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