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Idaho Elk

Unit 24X

Idaho Hunting Guide — Elk

Unit 24X is a controlled elk code in the Middle Fork Salmon country of central Idaho. Elk use the high-country meadows, timber-edge parks, and canyon rim habitat of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness borderlands. We approach 24X as a backcountry elk hunt with limited road access and strong rut-phase calling potential.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 24X

Unit 24X is a controlled elk code in the Middle Fork Salmon country of central Idaho. Elk use the high-country meadows, timber-edge parks, and canyon rim habitat of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness borderlands. We approach 24X as a backcountry elk hunt with limited road access and strong rut-phase calling potential.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 24X

We target the high meadows and timber-edge parks above 6,500 feet. Bulls hold in north-facing timber mid-day and move to meadow edges dawn and dusk. The canyon-rim parks above the Middle Fork drainage hold rut-phase herds in late September.

How to Hunt Unit 24X

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Elk Success Rates

The three-year 24X data shows roughly 50 tags against 110 applicants. Backcountry elk success in 24X runs 30-50% for hunters who invest the backpack commitment. Rifle success is higher than archery — plan a weapon code that fits your approach.

Elk Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled2510025.0% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho's pure-random drawing assigns equal odds annually — no preference points. Nonresidents capped at 10%. With ~110 applicants and ~50 tags over three years, resident odds run 40-50% per year.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 24X inside the Frank Church wilderness?
Portions of 24X fall inside the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, which has no motorized access. Confirm wilderness boundaries before planning stock or foot routes.
Is an outfitter required for 24X?
No — DIY is legal for residents and nonresidents. Many hunters do hire outfitter pack support because of the long approaches; confirm the IDFG nonresident-in-wilderness guide requirements if they apply to your situation.

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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: 24X elk season dates, Controlled-hunt framework, Weapon classes · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. IDFG Hunt Planner — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 24X boundaries, Wilderness access overlay, Hunt-code selector · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. IDFG Controlled Hunt Odds — Elk — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Applicant counts, Tag allocations, Pure-random draw baseline · accessed 2026-04-17