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Idaho Elk Mule Deer

Unit 23

Idaho Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Idaho GMU 23 is in the rugged Salmon River and Middle Fork country, administered by IDFG within the Middle Fork Zone. Elk here are managed under zone-level general tags and specific controlled hunts, with tags allocated via pure-random drawing and a 10% nonresident cap on controlled hunts. Season structure is set in the current Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 23

Idaho GMU 23 is in the rugged Salmon River and Middle Fork country, administered by IDFG within the Middle Fork Zone. Elk here are managed under zone-level general tags and specific controlled hunts, with tags allocated via pure-random drawing and a 10% nonresident cap on controlled hunts. Season structure is set in the current Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 23

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How to Hunt Unit 23

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle18%
Archery17%
Muzzleloader14%

Middle Fork Zone elk success historically runs below statewide averages because of the terrain, but mature-bull percentages are high. Recent IDFG data shows single-digit to low-teens success for general rifle tags. Pull the current IDFG harvest summary for exact figures.

Elk Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled92333.9% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho runs a pure-random drawing — no bonus points. With about 678 applicants over three years for 30 Unit 23 controlled-hunt tags, resident odds are roughly 5-10% and nonresident odds are constrained by the 10% cap. We recheck IDFG's published odds each spring.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 23 mostly wilderness?
Yes. A large share of Unit 23 lies inside the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Motor vehicles are prohibited in the wilderness, so access is by stock, foot, or backcountry airstrip.
How does the Idaho draw work for Unit 23?
Pure-random drawing with no bonus points. Nonresidents are capped at 10% of the tag pool for any controlled hunt.
Can I drive into Unit 23?
No — the Frank Church Wilderness prohibits motor vehicles. Access is by stock, foot, or backcountry airstrip.
Are mature bucks common in Unit 23?
Low hunter density and remote terrain keep buck age structures older than heavily pressured units, though densities are generally lower than roaded country.

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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. IDFG Big Game Hunting — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 23 boundaries, Middle Fork Zone assignment, General tag rules · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. 2025-2026 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Zone tag quotas, Season dates, Weapon classes · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. Salmon-Challis National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Frank Church Wilderness boundary, Road access, Airstrip inventory · accessed 2026-04-17