How Much Does an Idaho Hunting License Cost?

An Idaho hunting license costs $15.75 a year for residents and $185.00 a year for non-residents, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). That base license covers most game hunting, but deer, elk, bear, turkey, and other big game all require separate tags purchased on top of it.

Idaho runs its license on the calendar year, expiring every December 31 regardless of purchase date. Residents also have access to a Sportsman's Package that bundles the license with several species tags at once, which is worth comparing against buying everything separately.

Once you add species tags, a controlled hunt application, or the required access fee, the total cost of a season in Idaho can add up quickly, especially for non-residents pursuing deer or elk. Here's what to know about the cost of a hunting license in Idaho.

How Much Does an Idaho Hunting License Cost?

Idaho's resident license is one of the most affordable in the country, but non-resident big game tags run into the hundreds of dollars. Knowing which bundle or tag combination fits your plans makes a real difference in your total.

The non-resident adult license includes a 3-day fishing license, and every annual hunting license carries a mandatory access and depredation fee on top of the price shown above.

For residents planning to hunt multiple species in a season, the Sportsman's Package is almost always cheaper than buying a base license and each tag individually.

Required Stamps and Permits

An Idaho hunting license alone doesn't cover most big game. You'll need to add the right tag or permit for whatever you're hunting.

Non-resident deer and elk tags are now issued through a draw for general seasons rather than sold over the counter, so hunters planning a big game trip need to apply during the controlled hunt window well before the season opens. Controlled hunt applications carry their own nonrefundable fee separate from the tag cost.

Youth and Discounted Licenses

Idaho offers several ways to reduce hunting costs for younger hunters, seniors, and veterans.

• Junior Hunting License (ages 10–17): Priced at $8.25 for residents, with 9-year-olds eligible to purchase one if they'll turn 10 by hunting season.
• Combination Hunting and Fishing — Senior (65+): Available to residents for $13.75, bundling both hunting and fishing privileges at a reduced rate.
• Disabled American Veteran (DAV) License: Available to qualifying residents for $5.75, with steep discounts on tags for deer, elk, and bear as well.

These discounted options make it considerably more affordable for families, seniors, and veterans to get licensed and stay active in the field.

What Is an Idaho Hunting License?

An Idaho hunting license is the legal authorization issued by IDFG to hunt game animals and birds in the state. It comes in several forms, from the standard annual resident or non-resident license to the all-inclusive Sportsman's Package, which bundles the license with tags for deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, wolf, turkey, salmon, and steelhead in one purchase.

The license itself is separate from your Hunter Education Certificate. The certificate proves you completed a required safety course and doesn't need to be retaken once earned. The license, by contrast, runs on Idaho's calendar year and must be renewed by December 31 to keep hunting.

Who Needs an Idaho Hunting License?

Idaho residents and non-residents age 10 and older need a hunting license to legally hunt in the state. A Junior Hunting License covers hunters ages 10 to 17, and Idaho's Hunting Passport lets first-time hunters of any age try hunting alongside a licensed adult for a low one-time fee without completing hunter education first. A small number of additional exemptions apply for disabled residents and veterans through IDFG's discounted license programs.

For the full breakdown of license types, age brackets, and eligibility requirements, IDFG's resident license fee page lays out every category in detail.

What Are the Requirements to Get a License?

Before buying a license, most Idaho hunters need to clear the state's hunter safety requirement. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1975, must complete an approved hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license, unless they can show proof of a previously held hunting license in Idaho or another state.

The course covers:

• Firearm and archery safety
• Wildlife identification and conservation
• Idaho-specific hunting laws and ethics

Idaho's hunter education requirement can be completed entirely online with no in-person field day required, which sets it apart from several neighboring states. The Hunter-Ed Idaho course is one IDFG-approved option for completing the requirement from start to finish.

How to Get an Idaho Hunting License

Getting licensed in Idaho is a straightforward process once you know the order of operations.

1. Complete an approved hunter education course if you were born on or after January 1, 1975. Costs range from $30–$50 depending on the course and the state.
2. Pass the final exam. Idaho doesn't require an in-person field day for the online course, so you can print your hunter education certificate as soon as you pass.
3. Decide which license fits your plans: a standard annual license, a 3-year license, or the resident Sportsman's Package.
4. Purchase your license at idfg.idaho.gov, at an IDFG regional office, or through a licensed vendor.
5. Add any tags or permits required for what you're hunting, such as a deer, elk, or archery permit.
6. Carry your license and hunter education certificate any time you're in the field.

You can purchase your hunting license directly through IDFG, including online, phone, and in-person methods at regional offices and licensed vendors statewide.

Why It's Important to Have a License

Buying an Idaho hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.

• Legal Compliance: Hunting without the correct license or tag can lead to fines and the loss of hunting privileges that cost far more than getting licensed correctly from the start.
• Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and tag revenue funds IDFG's work managing elk, deer, and other big game populations across the state.
• Population Management: Controlled hunt draws and tag quotas give IDFG the harvest data needed to keep herds healthy across Idaho's many units and zones.
• Ethical Hunting: A license ties every hunt to a defined season, unit, and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and sustainable for everyone afield.
• Public Land Access: License revenue helps support the millions of acres of public land Idaho hunters rely on each season.

Costs and rules vary by unit and species, so it's worth checking current big game season dates and rules before you finalize your plans. And because hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state, it's worth confirming Idaho's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.

Ready to Hunt in Idaho? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License

An Idaho hunting license is one of the most affordable in the country for residents, but the real cost climbs fast once you factor in tags for deer, elk, or other big game, especially for non-residents. Whether you're building out the $144.60 Sportsman's Package or applying for a non-resident elk tag through the draw, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.

Complete your hunter education course if it applies to you, decide which license fits your plans, and you'll be ready for opening day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the Idaho hunting license fee a one-time payment?

A: No, an Idaho hunting license expires every December 31 and must be renewed annually regardless of when you originally purchased it. The hunter education course, however, is a one-time requirement that never needs to be retaken once completed.

Q: Are there discounts for Idaho hunting licenses?

A: Yes, Idaho offers an $8.25 Junior Hunting License for residents ages 10 to 17, a discounted $13.75 senior combination license for residents 65 and older, and a $5.75 Disabled American Veteran license with reduced tag pricing. Documentation requirements vary, so check IDFG's fee pages before assuming you qualify.

Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in Idaho?

A: A non-resident annual Idaho hunting license costs $185.00, which includes a 3-day fishing license. Non-residents targeting only small game can instead buy a Nonresident Small Game License for $141.75.

Q: Do I need a separate tag to hunt deer or elk in Idaho?

A: Yes, both deer and elk require a tag in addition to your base hunting license. Resident deer tags cost $24.75 and elk tags cost $36.75, while non-residents pay $351.75 for deer and $651.75 for elk, subject to draw quotas for general seasons.

Q: What's the cheapest way to try hunting in Idaho for the first time?

A: Idaho's Hunting Passport lets first-time hunters of any age, resident or non-resident, hunt alongside a licensed adult for a low one-time fee without completing hunter education first. It can only be purchased once in a lifetime and is a good way to test interest before committing to full certification.

Q: Does Idaho require an in-person field day for hunter education?

A: No, Idaho is one of the states where the entire hunter education requirement can be completed online with no field day. Hunters can print their certificate immediately after passing the final exam.

Q: How much does the Idaho hunter education course cost?

A: Idaho's hunter education course costs around $30 for the online option, plus an additional $8.00 IDFG fee. Hunters who already held a license in Idaho or another state may be exempt from retaking the course altogether.