North Idaho Hunting

Hunting deer in North Idaho

With the most square miles of wilderness (21,621,000 acres of forested land) in the lower 48 states, Idaho offers the best and most varied hunting in the west. In North Idaho, 2.7 million acres are National Forest land. The state is two-thirds public land and a new Fish and Game program called Access Yes! is opening up more private land every year.

The state’s big game population includes elk, moose, woodland caribou, mule and white-tailed deer, mountain lion, black and grizzly bear, and bighorn sheep. Grouse, quail, chukar and pheasant are a few of the upland game birds available, while Canada geese and ducks are the most common waterfowl.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that 13 million Americans hunt annually, including 197,000  Idahoans. The majority of those hunters are after big game, such as deer or elk. That makes October an important month for most Idaho hunters, when North Idaho’s deer, elk and moose seasons open. Bear season runs late summer through October and again in spring. Panhandle area mountain lions may be taken mid September through mid February.

Hunting moose in North Idaho

Record numbers of moose are making their home in Kootenai County. The growing moose population has been welcomed by hunters especially since the typical bull moose shot in Idaho has antlers spanning 36 inches. Idaho issued a record 1,146 moose hunting permits in 2007. 15,000 to 20,000 of the animals are believed to live in Idaho, with the highest populations found near the Canada border. Fewer than 1,000 moose inhabited the state 50 years ago.

In 2008, gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains were removed from the federal endangered species list. Wolves will be managed as a big game species under the Idaho Wolf Population Management Plan. About 13 years ago, 66 gray wolves were reintroduced to central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park. Today those wolves number more than 1,500. More than 700 of them are in Idaho.

The Coeur d’Alene Mountains are considered to be among the best for trophy bull elks because of the good cover and terrain.

Bonner County (Sandpoint) offers excellent waterfowl hunting. Duck populations include both puddle ducks and divers, and quality goose hunting is abundant.

Hunting pheasant in North idaho

The Kootenai Wildlife Refuge in Boundary County allows hunting of geese, ducks, mergansers, coots, blue, spruce, ruffed grouse, deer, elk, moose, black bear and mountain lion.

In the Silver Valley, hunting possibilities are endless. Many elk, deer, bear and upland game birds are taken during bow, rifle and muzzle loader seasons.

Elk herd in North Idaho

Priest Lake is home to numerous species of coveted game animals. Whitetail and mule deer share the forests with an increasing herd of elk, moose and a large population of black bear. Other species of interest include mountain lions, an abundant supply of grouse, turkeys and waterfowl. This vast area has one of the most abundant whitetail deer herds in Idaho. Mule deer abide in the more remote upper elevation regions, which makes for some challenging attempts to reach their homeland. Roaming the high mountain ridges, logging sites and regenerated forest fire areas will usually reward the hunter with sightings of small herds including some very respectable bucks.

The Bear Facts

Black bear and grizzly bear are found in the Idaho panhandle. Grizzly are found only in a few places furthest north in the Bonners Ferry wilderness but black bear are found throughout the northern part of the state. When hunting in grizzly country, carrying pepper spray is recommended. The mere presence of a bear doesn’t always pose a risk. Stay calm. The vast majority of bears will leave an area when they become aware of human presence.
-Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Department of Fish and Game

  • Coeur d'Alene Regional Headquarters  (208)769-1414
  • Bonners Ferry  (208)267-7629
  • Clark Fork  (208)266-1501
  • Kellogg  (208)682-4674
  • Moyie Springs  (208)267-7629
  • Naples  (208)267-4085
  • Priest River  (208)448-2302
  • Rathdrum  (208)265-8320
  • Sagle  (208)265-8320
  • Sandpoint  (208)265-8835
  • St. Maries  (208)245-8100
  • Wallace  (208)556-1513

 

Hunting and fishing license information

Idaho Panhandle National Forest

www.fs.fed.us/ipnf

Supervisors Office

3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene
(208)765-7223
North of I-90, between Hwy 95 and Ramsey Rd off Kathleen Ave

Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District - Fernan Office

2502 E. Sherman Ave, Coeur d'Alene
(208)769-3000
East of I-90 at exit 15

Priest Lake Ranger District

32203 Hwy. 57, Priest River
(208)443-2512
On St. Hwy. 57, mile post 32, 3 miles south of Nordman

Bonners Ferry Ranger District

6286 Main St.,  Bonners Ferry
(208)267-5561
1 mile south of Bonners Ferry on Hwy 95

Sandpoint Ranger District

1500 Hwy 2, #110, Sandpoint
(208)263-5111
West edge of Sandpoint on Hwy 2

Silver Valley Office

173 Commerce Dr, Smelterville
(208)783-2100
South of I-90 at exit 48

St. Joe Ranger District

St. Maries Office
222 S 7th St, #1
(208)245-2531
Federal Building in downtown St. Maries

Avery Office
(208)245-4517
6 miles west of Avery on Forest Hw. 50 (St Joe River Rd)

Clarkia Office
54495 Hwy 3
(208)245-1134
1 mile south of Clarkia on Hwy 3