Idaho’s Popular Hunting Makes It The Top Destination For Hunters

Hunting's popularity in Idaho is due to several factors that make the state a prime destination for hunters. Idaho has a diverse ecosystem and abundant wildlife, including deer, elk, moose, bear, turkey, waterfowl, and more. According to Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho has some of the best elk hunting in the world. Deer are found throughout Idaho, with whitetails located primarily north of the Salmon River, and are generally hunted later in the fall than mule deer.

Another big reason that Idaho is so famous for hunters is its extensive public lands, including national forests, the Bureau of Land Management, and state-owned lands. 

Idaho was the 2nd highest in the country for income made from non-resident hunting licenses, tag, permit, & stamp sales in 2021. 

Idaho also has excellent opportunities for big game hunting like elk and mule dear. The hunting seasons are often relatively long and generous, providing time for hunters to plan their trips and maximize their chances of success. You can't forget its economic impact and the number of outfitter and guide services offering hunting packages and expertise to hunters coming to Idaho.  

Idaho's wildlife management and hunting regulations greatly ensure sustainable hunting practices and healthy wildlife populations. For all those reasons, it's no surprise that 24/7 Wall St. has it as one of the "Most Popular Hunting Destinations." 

Methodology: "Using data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 24/7 Tempo identified the most popular hunting destinations in America and ranked all 50 states on the number of paid hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps they issued to out-of-state visitors in 2021."