Idaho Shooting Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset under Idaho default rule, plus 4 species-specific exceptions.
Idaho Shooting Hours
4 Idaho species (Elk, Deer, Waterfowl, Turkey) carry rules that depart from the statewide default.
Idaho shooting-hours quirks
The ID-specific timing details that the standard half-hour rule doesn't capture
Cross the Salmon River driving north and the clock changes — most of Idaho is Mountain Time, but the panhandle north of the Salmon runs Pacific. Solunar windows that bracket sunrise or sunset shift by an hour in October.
Idaho Shooting Hours Rules
Codified by Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
- Default Shooting Hours
- 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- Species with Special Rules
-
- Elk: 30min before to 30min after
- Deer: 30min before to 30min after
- Waterfowl: 0min before to 0min after
- Turkey: 30min before to 30min after
- Wildlife Agency
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Confirm with Idaho Department of Fish and Game before each hunt — ID reissues regulations annually.
Last verified: January 2026
Run the Idaho shooting hours calculator
The interactive calculator lives on the main tool page. It will pre-load with Idaho (ID) and apply the 30 minutes/30 minutes default rule plus any species exceptions.
Idaho species exceptions
4 species depart from the default rule
| Species | Legal Start | Legal End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default (Most Game) | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | Standard rule |
| Elk | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
| Deer | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
| Waterfowl | Sunrise | Sunset | Sunrise to sunset |
| Turkey | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
Idaho Shooting Hours FAQ
Specific questions about legal hunting times in Idaho.
What are the legal shooting hours in Idaho?
In Idaho, legal shooting hours for most game are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. However, specific species may have different rules - always check the species-specific regulations before hunting.
Do shooting hours vary by species in Idaho?
Yes, Idaho has different shooting hours for certain species. For example: Elk (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset); Deer (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset); Waterfowl (0 min before sunrise to 0 min after sunset). Always verify specific rules for your target species.
Where can I find official Idaho hunting regulations?
Official hunting regulations for Idaho can be found at the state wildlife agency website. Visit the official source for the most up-to-date information on shooting hours, seasons, and bag limits.
Do I need to adjust shooting hours for Daylight Saving Time in Idaho?
No, our calculator automatically accounts for Daylight Saving Time based on your selected date. The times shown are in Idaho's local time zone.
Are there special considerations for hunting in Idaho?
Cross the Salmon River driving north and the clock changes — most of Idaho is Mountain Time, but the panhandle north of the Salmon runs Pacific. Solunar windows that bracket sunrise or sunset shift by an hour in October.
Background reading: how shooting hours are defined · general FAQ.
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