Best elk hunting units in Idaho
Ranked by 2021–2025 success rate · IDFG harvest statistics
- 31.0%
- Unit 68 ranks #1, 2021–2025
- 15.6%
- statewide elk average
- 86
- units with 100+ hunters a year
These are the Idaho hunting units where elk hunters filled tags most often from 2021 to 2025, ranked from IDFG's harvest statistics. Each rate is total elk harvest divided by total elk hunters across those five seasons, so one unusual year doesn't decide a unit's place.
Idaho sells general elk tags by zone, and each unit belongs to one zone, so the tag you buy decides which units you can hunt. Open each unit's page to see its zone tag, season rules, public land, and terrain. IDFG doesn't split success rates by residency, so nonresidents should read the same list and check the nonresident guide for how tags are sold.
Top 15
| # | Unit | 2021–2025 rate | Latest year | Hunters / yr | 6+ pt bulls | Residents | Nonresidents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unit 68 | 31.0% | 27.2% (2025) | 355 | 46.3% | General season | Draw |
| 2 | Unit 21A | 28.6% | 31.2% (2025) | 673 | 14.7% | General season | Draw |
| 3 | Unit 28 | 27.9% | 30.7% (2025) | 949 | 23.3% | General season | Draw |
| 4 | Unit 14 | 27.6% | 25.7% (2025) | 847 | 21.7% | General season | Draw |
| 5 | Unit 52A | 25.6% | 28.8% (2025) | 362 | 62.1% | General season | Draw |
| 6 | Unit 36A | 25.1% | 19.8% (2025) | 872 | 39.5% | General season | Draw |
| 7 | Unit 37 | 24.5% | 31.9% (2025) | 304 | 51.3% | General season | Draw |
| 8 | Unit 8 | 24.2% | 24.7% (2025) | 1,005 | 21.0% | General season | Draw |
| 9 | Unit 11A | 23.4% | 28.4% (2025) | 263 | 41.1% | General season | Draw |
| 10 | Unit 76 | 22.4% | 21.7% (2025) | 1,113 | 51.2% | General season | Draw |
| 11 | Unit 33 | 22.4% | 20.6% (2025) | 879 | 23.7% | General season | Draw |
| 12 | Unit 32 | 22.2% | 21.2% (2025) | 1,522 | 39.1% | General season | Draw |
| 13 | Unit 36 | 22.1% | 25.1% (2025) | 940 | 27.5% | General season | Draw |
| 14 | Unit 29 | 22.0% | 17.6% (2025) | 651 | 46.0% | General season | Draw |
| 15 | Unit 50 | 21.6% | 21.5% (2025) | 1,424 | 48.1% | General season | Draw |
The top 5
- Unit 68 put 31.0% of elk hunters on an animal across 2021–2025, with 46.3% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents hunt the general season on the Big Desert Zone Elk Tag; nonresidents draw.
- Unit 21A put 28.6% of elk hunters on an animal across 2021–2025, with 14.7% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents hunt the general season on the Salmon Zone Elk Tag; nonresidents draw.
- Unit 28 put 27.9% of elk hunters on an animal across 2021–2025, with 23.3% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents hunt the general season on the Salmon Zone Elk Tag; nonresidents draw.
- Unit 14 put 27.6% of elk hunters on an animal across 2021–2025, with 21.7% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents hunt the general season on the Elk City Zone Elk Tag; nonresidents draw.
- Unit 52A put 25.6% of elk hunters on an animal across 2021–2025, with 62.1% of harvested bulls at 6+ points. Residents hunt the general season on the Big Desert Zone Elk Tag; nonresidents draw.
How we rank
Each rate is total harvest divided by total hunters across 2021–2025, counting only years the state surveyed hunters. A unit needs an average of 100 hunters a year to be listed. Ties go to the unit with more hunters.
Trophy share needs at least two surveyed years with antler-point data; otherwise it shows "—".