Idaho Elk Moose

Unit 29

Idaho Hunting Guide — Elk, Moose

Elk in Idaho Unit 29 are managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Tag numbers, season dates, and weapon structure are set each year in the IDFG big game rules. Applicants should verify current hunt numbers and quotas in the IDFG Hunt Planner before applying.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 29

Where to Find Elk in Unit 29

Elk distribution in Unit 29 follows the mix of timbered drainages, mountain basins, and transition habitat typical of the hunt area. Glassing at first and last light and paying attention to thermals are key. Cross-reference the IDFG Hunt Planner boundary viewer with public-land layers before committing to an access plan.

How to Hunt Unit 29 Elk

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle24%

Archery15%

Muzzleloader8%

Harvest totals, hunter days, and success percentages for Unit 29 elk hunts are published in the IDFG Hunt Planner statistics tool. Results vary by weapon type, season, and year — review the most recent stats before the draw.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	218	916	23.8%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 29 elk tags are allocated through the IDFG controlled hunt draw. Resident and nonresident odds can be reviewed by year and hunt number in the IDFG Hunt Planner. Check multiple weapon seasons before applying — odds can vary significantly between rifle, muzzleloader, and archery hunts.

Moose Hunting in Unit 29

Unit 29 Shiras moose tags in Idaho are once-in-a-lifetime and drawn in IDFG's pure random controlled-hunt system. Drawing ends your Idaho moose eligibility. Recent three-year activity runs ~320 applicants against ~27 tags — long odds, no points to build, but the hunt country is classic Salmon-River mountain territory.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 29

Unit 29 moose hold in willow and alder drainages in the mid-elevation country along the Salmon River breaks. Focus on creek corridors with riparian browse and adjacent lodgepole for bedding.

How to Hunt Unit 29 Moose

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Moose Success Rates

Moose success in Idaho tracks hunter preparation more than animal density. Unit 29 rates in the IDFG Hunt Planner reflect the remoteness — finding the bull is the work; closing is typically straightforward.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	7	84	8.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

OIAL hunt; pure random draw with 10% NR cap. No point system. Three-year applicant pool ~320 against ~27 tags.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

Road conditions vary from paved highways to rough two-track. Verify current access conditions on federal and state land maps before the trip.

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Weather

Elk seasons in Idaho run from late August through December depending on weapon. Prepare for a wide range of conditions including early-season heat, fall rain, and late-season snow.

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Cell Service

Coverage is limited in backcountry terrain. Carry a satellite communicator or downloaded offline maps.

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Nearest Town

Use the IDFG Hunt Planner and mapping tools to identify the closest service town with fuel, lodging, and groceries before the hunt.

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Permit Notes

Tag is issued through the IDFG controlled hunt draw. Confirm hunt number, season dates, and weapon restrictions on your tag before heading out.

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Unlock logistics for Unit 29

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a elk tag for Idaho Unit 29?

Unit 29 elk tags are issued through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game controlled hunt draw. Applications are submitted during the IDFG big game draw window each year.

Where can I verify current season dates and quotas for Unit 29?

Season dates, hunt numbers, and tag quotas are published annually by IDFG and can be looked up in the IDFG Hunt Planner and the current big game rules booklet.

How do nonresidents draw Unit 29 moose?

Through the IDFG pure random controlled-hunt draw, competing for 10% of the tag pool. There are no points, and a drawn tag ends your Idaho moose 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.

IDFG Big Game Hunting — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Species overview, General season structure, Regulations entry point · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Controlled Hunts — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Controlled hunt draw rules, Application deadlines, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Per-unit hunt numbers, Historical draw odds, Harvest statistics · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Controlled Hunt Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 29 moose applicant and quota history, Resident vs NR odds · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-2026 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 29 moose season dates, Quota, Weapon · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Moose, Mountain Goat, and Sheep Hunts — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: OIAL rule, Pure random draw, NR cap · accessed 2026-04-17