Idaho Elk Moose

Unit 63

Idaho Hunting Guide — Elk, Moose

Elk in Idaho Unit 63 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 63

Where to Find Elk in Unit 63

Elk distribution in Unit 63 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 63 Elk

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle8%

Harvest totals, hunter days, and success percentages for Unit 63 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	568	1,172	48.5%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 63 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 63

Unit 63 covers southeastern Idaho's Bear River Range and Caribou Mountain country near the Bear Lake Plateau — a landscape of dense conifer forest, marshy creek drainages, and high meadow systems that supports a productive moose population. The unit sits at the convergence of Wyoming and Utah borders, giving it a distinctive southeast Idaho character with good moose numbers in the willow-alder drainages of the Caribou National Forest. Tags are tightly controlled and draw odds are competitive.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 63

Moose in Unit 63 concentrate in the riparian and marshy habitats of the Bear River Range and Caribou National Forest interior.

Bear River Range Willow Drainages

The stream drainages flowing through the Bear River Range interior support dense willow and alder corridors that moose feed in year-round. The upper Paris Creek, Georgetown Creek, and Bear River tributaries are the most productive focal areas. Focus on the 6,000–8,000 foot elevation band where willows are thickest.

Bear Lake Plateau Marshes

The elevated plateau country above Bear Lake contains marshy basins and sedge meadows that attract moose through the summer feeding period. Glass these areas with a spotting scope from the few road-accessible high points in late August to locate pre-season bulls.

Caribou Mountain Interior

The Caribou Mountain roadless area to the north supports moose in its remote creek drainages with minimal human pressure. Moose here are exceptionally undisturbed — access requires hiking or horseback but rewards with animals in pristine condition.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 63

Unit 63's southeast Idaho setting is well-suited to both road-accessible hunters and those willing to pack into the more remote Caribou Mountain country.

Willow Drain Calling

Set up calling stations in the Bear River Range willow corridors during the September–October rut. Use cow calls and moderate bull grunts to attract bulls that are actively seeking cows. The willows provide natural cover for your approach; position yourself where you can see an incoming bull while remaining concealed.

Morning Glassing from Bear River Range Roads

Several forest roads in the Bear River Range provide glassing opportunities over the willow-filled drainages below. Glass systematically in the first two hours after dawn when moose are actively feeding before they bed in the timber. Plan stalks using the drainage topography for approach cover.

Pack-In for Caribou Mountain Bulls

Commit to a 3–5 day pack-in to the Caribou Mountain roadless area for the highest-quality experience. Set up a spike camp in the interior and spend each day glassing and still-hunting the remote drainages. These moose have rarely seen a hunter and are comparatively approachable.

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Moose Success Rates

Unit 63 moose success is consistent with Idaho's controlled hunt average of 75–90% for drawn tag holders. The mix of accessible and remote terrain means hunters at all fitness levels can find success — road-based hunters work the Bear River Range drainages while backcountry hunters target the Caribou Mountain interior. The unit's moose population is stable and supports its annual tag quota.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	1	17	5.9%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 63 moose tags are limited — typically 3–6 tags per controlled hunt. Resident draw odds are 3–8% without preference points. The unit's proximity to the Pocatello and Idaho Falls population centers generates competitive application pressure. Building preference points over 6–10 years is the realistic path to drawing this tag.

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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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a elk tag for Idaho Unit 63?

Unit 63 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 63?

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.

What makes Unit 63 a good moose unit in Idaho?

Unit 63 offers a productive combination of accessible Bear River Range drainages and remote Caribou Mountain interior habitat. The moose population is stable, success rates are high, and the unit is realistically reachable from southeast Idaho population centers.

Can I hunt moose in Unit 63 without horses?

Yes — the Bear River Range drainages are accessible on foot from forest roads. A moose pack-out from accessible terrain requires effort but is achievable with a good hunting partner and proper packing equipment.

Does Unit 63 border Wyoming or Utah?

Unit 63 is in the southeast corner of Idaho, near both the Wyoming and Utah state lines. The unit is entirely within Idaho, but the proximity to neighboring states means some hunters may cross boundaries inadvertently — verify your GPS position.

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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: 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
2025 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Controlled hunt structure, Moose tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-18
IDFG Hunt Planner — Controlled Hunt Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Historical draw odds, Applicant and quota counts · accessed 2026-04-18