Idaho Muzzleloader Hunting Season

Updated 1/5/2020 - In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and short-range hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals with any muzzleloading rifle or musket that is less than .45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, mountain lion or gray wolf; or is less than .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or black bear.

Muzzleloader-Only Season:

Any person hunting in a muzzleloader-only season, including controlled hunts, must have in their possession a license with a muzzleloader permit validation. During a muzzleloader-only season, it is illegal to pursue or kill a big game animal with any firearm, muzzleloading pistol, or weapon other than a muzzleloading rifle or musket. In addition, the muzzleloading rifle or musket must be: Capable of being loaded only from the muzzle.

Muzzleloaders may only be equipped with open or peep sights. Scopes and any electronics are prohibited. Hunters with a visual disability may apply for a permit to use non-magnifying scopes.

Muzzleloaders may only be loaded with loose black powder, loose Pyrodex, or other loose synthetic black powder. Pelletized powders are prohibited.

Muzzleloaders may be equipped with a single or double barrel.

Muzzleloaders must be loaded with a projectile that is within 0.010 inches of the bore diameter including a patched round ball or a conical non-jacketed projectile comprised wholly of lead or lead alloy. Sabots are prohibited.

Muzzleloaders must be equipped with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap ignition system in which any portion of the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire. 209 Primers are prohibited.

IDAHO MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASONS

MUZZLELOADER DEER

General Muzzleloader Only Seasons - Muzzleloader Permit Required

General White-Tailed Deer Muzzleloader Only Seasons - Muzzleloader Permit Required

Controlled Muzzleloader Only - Muzzleloader Permit Required 

Controlled Outfitter Allocation Deer - Antlered Deer Only

MUZZLELOADER ELK

General Elk Season Muzzleloader Hunts

Panhandle Zone (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 9) 

Muzzleloader only hunts are open in all Panhandle Zone Units with Tag A from November 20th - December 1st and from December 2nd - December 8th. Some unit restrictions apply, please see the table below.

Muzzleloader only hunts are open in all Panhandle Zone Units with Tag B from December 2nd - December 8th. Some unit restrictions apply, please see the table below.

Note B: That portion of Unit 4A within the following boundary: starting at the mouth of the Clark Fork River, follow Johnson Creek FS Road 278, then south on FS Road 1066, then east on FS Road 332 to the Montana border, and follow Montana border north back to the Clark Fork River, then to the point of beginning

Palouse Zone (Units 8, 8A, 11A)

Dworshak Zone (Unit 10A)

Elk City Zone (Units 14, 15, 16)

Muzzleloader only hunts are open in all Elk City Zone Units with Tag A from November 21st - November 24th and from November 25th - December 9th. Some unit restrictions apply, please see the table below.

Lemhi Zone (Units 29, 37, 37A, 51)

Beaverhead Zone (Units 30, 30A, 58, 59, 59A)

Island Park Zone (Units 60, 60A, 61, 62, 62A)

Muzzleloader only hunts are open in all Island Park Units with Tag A from November 11th - December 9th. Some unit restrictions apply, please see the table below. 

Bannock Zone (Units 70, 71, 72, 73, 73A, 74)

Bear River Zone (Units 75, 77, 78) 

Controlled Elk Season Muzzleloader Hunts 

Controlled Elk Muzzleloader Only - Muzzleloader Permit Required

Controlled Elk Extra Antlerless

Controlled Elk Outfitter Allocation

MUZZLELOADER PRONGHORN

Controlled Pronghorn Youth Only

Controlled Pronghorn Either Sex Muzzleloader Only - Muzzleloader Permit Required

IDAHO MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASON REGULATIONS
 

• It is illegal to hunt with pelletized powders or propellants during muzzleloader-only seasons.
• Muzzleloading firearms with revolving actions are prohibited during muzzleloader-only seasons.
• Muzzleloader rifles and muskets must be a minimum of .45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, mountain lion or gray wolf.
• Muzzleloader rifles and muskets be a minimum of .50 caliber for, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or black bear.
• Muzzleloading rifles and muskets must be equipped with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap ignition system that is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire.
• It is illegal to use a 209 primer during muzzleloader only seasons.
• Muzzleloaders must be equipped with open or peep sights only during muzzleloader only seasons, fiber optic sights are legal as long as they do not produce their own light.
• Scopes and electronics of any kind are prohibited during muzzleloader only seasons.
• Persons who are visually disabled may apply for a permit to use a non-magnifying scope.
   

This information is subject to change, for more information visit: Idaho Fish and Game

 
HAVE IDAHO MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASON QUESTIONS?

Muzzleloader Hunting season is the best for low-pressure hunting and plentiful wildlife. If you are new to muzzleloaders or would like more information on your state's muzzleloader hunting regulations, make sure to give us a call. Muzzle-Loaders.com is focused on promoting black powder hunting in all 50 states and can help you determine when your particular state's hunting season starts. If you have questions about Idaho Muzzleloader Hunting Season, please call us at 1-855-236-5000 or email us at sales@muzzle-loaders.com.