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Idaho Elk Moose

Unit 56

Idaho Hunting Guide — Elk, Moose

Unit 56 sits in southeast Idaho north of Pocatello in the Southeast Region. Timbered hills, aspen stringers, and ag interface define elk habitat here. High tag numbers (~408 over three seasons against ~469 applicants) mean this is one of Idaho's highest-odds controlled elk hunts.

Elk Hunting in Unit 56

Unit 56 sits in southeast Idaho north of Pocatello in the Southeast Region. Timbered hills, aspen stringers, and ag interface define elk habitat here. High tag numbers (~408 over three seasons against ~469 applicants) mean this is one of Idaho's highest-odds controlled elk hunts.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 56

We hunt the Portneuf Range timber edges and aspen pockets along Marsh Valley. Ag-timber transitions at dawn produce best.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 56

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%
Archery17%
Unit 56 controlled elk typically runs 20-35% success depending on hunt type and weather.

Elk Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled174174100.0% 0

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine
Pure-random. Unit 56 pulled ~469 applicants against ~408 tags over three seasons — resident odds roughly 85-95%, NR still capped under the 10% quota.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 56 elk a near-guaranteed draw?
For residents it's essentially guaranteed in most hunt codes. Nonresidents still compete under the 10% quota but odds are strong.
Is Unit 56 physically easy for a moose hunt?
By Idaho moose standards, yes. The meadow-willow country allows effective glassing without serious climbs, and the roads put you close to most of the moose habitat.
Can I combo a Unit 56 moose hunt with a Unit 56 elk hunt?
If you hold both tags, yes. The seasons often overlap and the habitat sits right next to each other. Just make sure you have a valid tag for each species before hunting.

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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 Hunt Planner — Unit 56 — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 56 boundary and hunts, Southeast Region structure · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. 2025-2026 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Season dates and weapon by Unit 56 hunt, Quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. IDFG Hunt Statistics — Unit 56 — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Historical elk harvest rates in Unit 56, Hunter days · accessed 2026-04-17
  4. IDFG Hunt Planner — Controlled Hunt Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 56 moose draw odds, Tag counts · accessed 2026-04-17
  5. IDFG — Moose Species Profile — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Southeast Idaho moose distribution · accessed 2026-04-17