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Idaho Mule Deer

Unit 15-1X (Clearwater)

Idaho Hunting Guide — Mule Deer

Hunt 15-1X is an extra-tag controlled mule deer hunt in Unit 15 covering the upper Clearwater country on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in north-central Idaho. With roughly 494 three-year applicants for 300 tags, odds are workable. Unit 15 is dominantly whitetail country, but mule deer hold on the higher ridgelines and open south-facing slopes above the heavy timber.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 15-1X

Hunt 15-1X is an extra-tag controlled mule deer hunt in Unit 15 covering the upper Clearwater country on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in north-central Idaho. With roughly 494 three-year applicants for 300 tags, odds are workable. Unit 15 is dominantly whitetail country, but mule deer hold on the higher ridgelines and open south-facing slopes above the heavy timber.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Hunt 15-1X

Mule deer in Unit 15 occupy terrain distinct from the unit's whitetail population — open ridgetops and south-facing slopes above the heavy cedar-fir bottoms.

Higher Ridgelines

Subalpine benches and open ridgetops above 6,000 feet hold scattered mule deer. Access typically requires hiking above road-accessible timber.

Burn Regeneration and Clearcuts

Recent burns and older clearcuts with bitterbrush and ceanothus regrowth attract mule deer to the browse. Glass the edges.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Hunt 15-1X

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Per-hunt success for 15-1X is published in the IDFG Hunt Planner statistics tool. We recommend checking the most recent 3-year average by weapon type — extra tag success varies with season timing and weather.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled10018554.1% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine
Idaho mule deer draws are pure random with no preference or bonus points. Hunt 15-1X with roughly 494 three-year applicants for 300 tags offers workable odds. Nonresidents are capped at 10% of tags.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hunt 15-1X better for whitetails or mule deer?
Hunt 15-1X is a mule deer tag. Unit 15 is dominantly whitetail country in the cedar-fir bottoms, but the higher ridgelines and open south-facing slopes hold mule deer. Plan accordingly — these are distinct habitats.
Is 15-1X an extra tag?
Yes. The -1X designation indicates an extra-tag hunt that hunters can apply for in addition to their primary controlled hunt or general tag. See the IDFG Big Game Seasons & Rules for extra-tag eligibility.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

  1. 2025-2026 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Hunt 15-1X designation, Extra-tag rules, Season dates and weapon types · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. IDFG Hunt Planner — Controlled Hunt Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Hunt 15-1X applicant and tag history · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest — North Fork Ranger District — USDA Forest Service — Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest · supports: Upper Clearwater access, Forest road inventory · accessed 2026-04-17