Idaho Mule Deer Pronghorn Elk California Bighorn Sheep

Unit 40

Idaho Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Elk, California Bighorn Sheep

Unit 40 mule deer hunts in Idaho are administered by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) through a combination of general and controlled hunts. Controlled hunt tags are issued through the IDFG controlled-hunt draw system. Hunters should review current IDFG season dates, weapon types, and hunt area boundaries before applying.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 40

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 40

Mule deer in Unit 40 use a range of habitats typical of Idaho mountain and forest country. Refer to the IDFG Hunt Planner for public-land access overlays and current habitat information when scouting.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 40

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Check IDFG Hunt Planner harvest statistics for the most recent success rates in Unit 40 by weapon type. Success varies year to year with winter severity, habitat conditions, and hunting pressure.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	225	4,903	4.6%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 40 controlled mule deer tags are awarded through the IDFG draw. Use the IDFG Hunt Planner draw-odds tool to review current resident and nonresident odds by hunt number before selecting hunt choices.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 40

Unit 40 pronghorn hunts in Idaho are administered by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) through a mix of general and controlled hunts. Controlled hunt tags are issued through the IDFG controlled-hunt draw system. Hunters should review current IDFG season dates, weapon types, and hunt area boundaries before applying.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 40

Pronghorn in Unit 40 use a range of habitats typical of Idaho mountain and forest country. Refer to the IDFG Hunt Planner for public-land access overlays and current habitat information when scouting.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 40

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Check IDFG Hunt Planner harvest statistics for the most recent success rates in Unit 40 by weapon type. Success varies year to year with weather, habitat conditions, and hunting pressure.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	68	2,492	2.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 40 controlled pronghorn tags are awarded through the IDFG draw. Use the IDFG Hunt Planner draw-odds tool to review current resident and nonresident odds by hunt number before selecting hunt choices.

Elk Hunting in Unit 40

Unit 40 elk hunts in Idaho are administered by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) through a mix of general and controlled hunts. Controlled hunt tags are issued through the IDFG controlled-hunt draw system. Hunters should review current IDFG season dates, weapon types, and hunt area boundaries before applying.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 40

Elk in Unit 40 use a range of habitats typical of Idaho mountain and forest country. Refer to the IDFG Hunt Planner for public-land access overlays and current habitat information when scouting.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 40

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle56%

Check IDFG Hunt Planner harvest statistics for the most recent success rates in Unit 40 by weapon type. Success varies year to year with weather, habitat conditions, and hunting pressure.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	54	2,043	2.6%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 40 controlled elk tags are awarded through the IDFG draw. Use the IDFG Hunt Planner draw-odds tool to review current resident and nonresident odds by hunt number before selecting hunt choices.

California Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 40

Unit 40 covers the Owyhee Mountains of southwestern Idaho — a high desert landscape of sage-covered plateaus, deeply incised canyons, and rocky rimrock where California bighorn sheep have been reestablished and thrive under IDFG management. The Owyhee country is dramatically different from the alpine Rocky Mountain bighorn habitat in central Idaho — expect canyon and desert terrain, basalt rimrock, and year-round warmer temperatures. Tags are tightly limited and draw odds are low, though slightly more forgiving than RMBS units.

Where to Find California Bighorn Sheep in Unit 40

California bighorn sheep in Unit 40 are concentrated along the rocky canyon systems and rimrock of the Owyhee Mountains. Unlike alpine RMBS, these sheep thrive in desert canyon terrain year-round.

Owyhee Canyon Rimrock

The deeply incised canyons of the Owyhee drainage expose sheer basalt walls and talus slopes that California bighorn use as escape terrain. Glass the canyon rims and faces from above — sheep are often visible on rocky outcrops and open sidehills adjacent to the cliff bands.

Sage Uplands and Rocky Benches

Between canyon systems, the sage-covered uplands and rocky benches provide forage. Sheep move between the canyon security terrain and the open benches to feed on bunchgrass, forbs, and sagebrush. Morning and evening are the best times to catch them in the open.

Water Sources

In the Owyhee desert environment, water is a key concentration point. Sheep regularly use seeps, springs, and stock ponds near rocky terrain — locate water sources on the map and glass the adjacent rimrock and canyon walls.

How to Hunt California Bighorn Sheep in Unit 40

California bighorn hunting in the Owyhee Mountains requires adapting alpine sheep hunting principles to desert canyon country — the animals are just as wary, but the terrain and climate are completely different.

Canyon Rim Glassing

Post up on canyon rims overlooking the Owyhee drainages and glass the canyon walls, talus slopes, and open benches systematically. The relatively open desert vegetation makes sheep more visible than in timber, but the canyon topography creates visual blind spots — be thorough. Glass for movement as well as shape.

Heat Management

The Owyhee country can be surprisingly warm during early fall sheep seasons — sheep will seek shade and thermal shelter in canyon bottoms during midday. Hunt the active periods of early morning and late afternoon and use the heat of the day to glass from shaded vantage points rather than pushing sheep into escape terrain.

Canyon Approach Tactics

Use the canyon topography to your advantage on stalks — parallel canyon walls provide natural cover and allow hunters to approach from above or below line-of-sight. Wind swirls in canyon environments, so position carefully and be prepared to abandon stalks when thermals shift.

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California Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

California bighorn success rates in Unit 40 are strong — typically 70–85% for tag holders over a full hunt. The desert canyon terrain can make spotting easier than alpine country when conditions are right, and determined hunters put meat on the mountain consistently.

California Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	0	52	0.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 40 California bighorn odds are low — typically 1–3% for residents annually depending on tag quotas. While better than the most coveted RMBS units, this is still effectively a once-in-a-decade draw for most applicants. Non-resident odds are tighter.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping is generally allowed on US Forest Service and BLM land within Unit 40, subject to local rules. Developed campgrounds may also be available near main road corridors.

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Water

Creeks and springs are found in typical Idaho drainages but flows vary by season. Filter or treat all backcountry water.

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Road Conditions

Access is primarily via state highways and US Forest Service or BLM roads. Secondary roads are gravel or native surface and often require high-clearance or 4WD in wet conditions.

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Terrain Difficulty

Idaho mountain and forest terrain with timbered slopes, open ridgelines, and brushy drainages. Plan for steep country and meaningful elevation change off the road system.

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Weather

Fall weather can include cool temperatures, rain, and early snow at elevation. Hunters should plan for changing mountain conditions throughout the season.

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Cell Service

Cell coverage drops off quickly off paved highways. A satellite communicator is recommended for backcountry hunts in Unit 40.

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Permit Notes

Confirm tag, permit, and reporting requirements with IDFG each season. Mandatory harvest reporting applies to many Idaho hunts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a mule deer tag in Idaho Unit 40?

Controlled mule deer tags in Unit 40 are applied for through the IDFG controlled-hunt draw. Review current IDFG Big Game Seasons & Rules and the Hunt Planner for application windows and eligibility.

Where can I see current draw odds for Unit 40 mule deer?

The IDFG Hunt Planner publishes historical draw odds by hunt number for resident and nonresident applicants. Compare recent years before choosing a hunt.

How do I apply for a pronghorn tag in Idaho Unit 40?

Controlled pronghorn tags in Unit 40 are applied for through the IDFG controlled-hunt draw. Review current IDFG Big Game Seasons & Rules and the Hunt Planner for application windows and eligibility.

Where can I see current draw odds for Unit 40 pronghorn?

The IDFG Hunt Planner publishes historical draw odds by hunt number for resident and nonresident applicants. Compare recent years before choosing a hunt.

How do I apply for a elk tag in Idaho Unit 40?

Controlled elk tags in Unit 40 are applied for through the IDFG controlled-hunt draw. Review current IDFG Big Game Seasons & Rules and the Hunt Planner for application windows and eligibility.

Where can I see current draw odds for Unit 40 elk?

The IDFG Hunt Planner publishes historical draw odds by hunt number for resident and nonresident applicants. Compare recent years before choosing a hunt.

What is the difference between California bighorn and Rocky Mountain bighorn in Idaho?

California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) are found in the desert canyon country of southwestern Idaho — the Owyhee, Bruneau, and Snake River areas. Rocky Mountain bighorn (Ovis canadensis canadensis) occupy the alpine mountains of central and northern Idaho. California bighorn are typically slightly smaller but otherwise similar in behavior and hunting challenge.

Is there public land access in Unit 40?

Yes — much of Unit 40's sheep habitat falls on BLM-managed land in the Owyhee Mountains. Access roads from Nampa, Murphy, and Grand View areas reach the unit boundary. Some canyon terrain requires 4WD or high-clearance vehicles.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

IDFG Big Game Hunting — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Statewide big game season framework, Weapon and hunt type overview · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Controlled Hunts — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Controlled hunt application rules, Draw timelines and tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Per-unit season selector, Historical draw odds and harvest stats · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Big Game Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit boundaries, Season structure, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-18