Idaho Pronghorn Mountain Goat

Unit 36-1 (Pioneer Mountains)

Idaho Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Mountain Goat

Unit 36 covers the Lost River valley and Pioneer Mountains foothills in east-central Idaho north of Arco. Pronghorn hold on broad sagebrush benches between the Lost River and Pioneer Ranges, with BLM and scattered state land providing access. The 36-1 hunt is unusual for Idaho — tag numbers equal applicant counts (1,076 applicants, 1,076 tags over three years), meaning every applicant draws. That makes this one of the most drawable pronghorn hunts in the state.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 36-1

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 36-1

Terrain

Unit 36 sits in the wide Big Lost River valley between Arco and Mackay, flanked by the Lost River Range to the east (including Borah Peak at 12,662 ft) and the Pioneer Mountains to the west. Pronghorn range across the sagebrush flats and low benches 5,500-6,500 ft. Key access: Highway 93 corridor, Pass Creek Road, and the Little Lost River valley to the north.

Elevation

5,500-6,800 ft. Pronghorn rarely use ground above 7,000 ft or below 5,200 ft in this unit.

Water

Big Lost River is the primary water source. Pass Creek, Warm Springs Creek, and BLM stock tanks scattered across the valley provide supplemental water. Check BLM water development maps.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 36-1

Glass from elevated pullouts along Highway 93 at dawn and dusk — the broad valley gives 5+ mile glassing shots from any rising ground. Mark pronghorn groups near BLM stock tanks and alfalfa edges, then plan stalks using Big Lost River cottonwood corridors, sage-filled coulees, or gentle swales. This is classic eastern Idaho antelope country — wide, windy, and wide open. Decoy tactics work for archery hunters during the September territorial rut. With tag numbers generous relative to applicants, this hunt suits families, new hunters, or anyone wanting a low-pressure Idaho pronghorn opportunity.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Unit 36-1 rifle pronghorn success averages 60-80% — lower than premium limited-tag units because the generous tag allocation means more hunters on the same herd. Archery success runs 15-30%. Buck quality is average — 12-14 inch class is typical with occasional 15+ inch bucks in less-pressured corners.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	363	363	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho controlled pronghorn hunts use a pure random draw — no points. Unit 36-1 with tag numbers equal to applicant numbers (both around 1,076 over three years) typically draws at 95-100% for both residents and nonresidents. This is effectively a guaranteed draw and one of the most accessible Idaho pronghorn opportunities.

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit 36-1

Idaho GMU 36 covers Sawtooth and Boise NF high country north of Lowman. The 36-1 designation is a controlled-hunt goat season/weapon slot within the unit. Goats are once-in-a-lifetime (OIAL) in Idaho — a successful applicant is permanently removed from the goat pool. IDFG allocates tags pure-random with a 10% nonresident quota.

Where to Find Mountain Goats in Unit 36-1

Goats in Unit 36 hold in the granite cliff bands and alpine basins above 7,500 feet. We glass cliff faces at dawn and dusk — goats bed on narrow ledges and feed on adjacent meadow shelves. Pre-season spotting-scope surveys from ridge points pay off more than random hiking.

How to Hunt Unit 36-1

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Mountain Goat Success Rates

Idaho mountain goat success historically runs 70% to 90% for drawn hunters given low hunter density and concentrated habitat. Pull the current IDFG harvest summary for 36-1-specific numbers.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	2	21	9.5%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Goats are OIAL — draw and harvest a goat, and you're out for life. With roughly 173 applicants and 6 tags over three years, resident odds sit near 2-4%. Nonresidents face the 10% cap on the tiny allocation. Apply every year — pure-random has no point-saving.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

Highway 93 between Arco and Mackay handles any rig excellently. Side roads to BLM and state land are trailer-capable in dry weather.

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Water

Limited — bring drinking water from town. Big Lost River and Pass Creek are reliable but often across private land.

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Road Conditions

Paved Highway 93. BLM two-track roads require high-clearance; become impassable gumbo after rain.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy. Flat-to-rolling sagebrush valley. Few obstacles beyond barbed wire fences and occasional rock outcrops.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate to high — generous tag numbers mean opening weekend sees multiple hunter parties along Highway 93. Pressure drops off mid-week.

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Weather

September 70-85 F highs, 40-55 F nights. Strong afternoon winds (20-35 mph) typical in this valley.

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Cell Service

Good in Arco and Mackay, reasonable along Highway 93. Drops quickly off the paved corridor.

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Nearest Town

Arco (fuel, basic store, lodging) south end; Mackay (fuel, store, lodging) north end. Idaho Falls 70 miles south for full services.

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Permit Notes

Significant private land and checkerboard BLM in the valley — verify boundaries with OnX before every stalk. Mandatory IDFG harvest report within 10 days.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 36-1 really a guaranteed draw?

Essentially yes. Tag numbers have been roughly equal to applicant numbers in recent years, meaning nearly every applicant draws. Verify current-year quotas before counting on it.

Is Unit 36-1 worth applying for given the high tag numbers?

It's a reliable way to get a pronghorn tag in Idaho. Buck quality is average and pressure is real, but for hunters who want consistent opportunity rather than trophy potential, it's a strong choice.

Is Idaho goat once-in-a-lifetime?

Yes. A drawn-and-issued goat tag permanently removes you from the Idaho goat applicant pool.

What's the difference between Unit 36 and Unit 36B goat hunts?

Unit 36 and 36B are separate GMUs with their own controlled-hunt codes. Apply for the specific hunt code that matches the terrain and season you want.

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Sources & Verification

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

2025 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 36 pronghorn seasons, 36-1 hunt dates · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 36-1 applicant and tag history · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Idaho Falls District Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Lost River valley BLM lands · accessed 2026-04-17
Salmon-Challis National Forest — Lost River Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Lost River Range foothill access · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Big Game Hunting — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 36 boundaries, Goat OIAL status, Controlled-hunt codes · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-2026 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Goat season dates, OIAL framework, Nonresident 10% quota · accessed 2026-04-17
Boise National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Public-land access, Trailhead inventory, Road status · accessed 2026-04-17