Idaho Pronghorn Mule Deer Elk

Unit 68

Idaho Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Elk

Idaho Unit 68 pronghorn hunts are managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) through the state's controlled hunt system. Tags are issued by random draw, with applicants selecting a first and second choice hunt during the May application window. Review the IDFG big-game regulations and Hunt Planner for current season dates, weapon types, and historical draw odds specific to this unit.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 68

Pronghorn in this unit concentrate on open sage flats, agricultural edges, and low-elevation benches along the Bear River Range foothills. Glass from vehicle-accessible high points at first and last light when bucks are most active.

Use the IDFG Hunt Planner map layer to identify public-land boundaries and access points before the season.

How to Hunt Unit 68

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Controlled-hunt success rates in Idaho vary widely by unit, hunt number, and weapon. Check IDFG Hunt Planner statistics for the specific hunt code on your tag to see five-year trends. Pronghorn numbers fluctuate with winter severity and drought.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	73	983	7.4%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 68 is a controlled-hunt tag drawn through IDFG's random selection process. Odds depend on resident vs. nonresident applicant pools, first- vs. second-choice preferences, and the annual tag quota. Run historical odds for your target hunt number on the IDFG Hunt Planner before building your application strategy.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 68

Unit 68 covers a chunk of the Bear River country in southeast Idaho between Soda Springs and the Portneuf Range. Mule deer habitat here is a classic mix of sage-and-juniper foothills, aspen pockets, and mahogany benches at 6,000–8,500 feet. The unit offers general tag opportunity plus controlled hunts for trophy-class bucks. We like 68 as an accessible freezer-plus-sleeper-buck unit — the terrain is manageable, public access is strong, and bucks in the right pockets carry surprising mass.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 68

Three habitat types consistently produce bucks in Unit 68.

Portneuf Range Foothills

Sage-mahogany benches on the west face of the Portneuf Range hold bucks through the season. Focus on 6,500–8,000 ft.

Bear River Bottoms

Willow-and-cottonwood Bear River bottoms hold mature bucks that feed in adjacent alfalfa fields at night and bed in cover through the day.

Soda Springs Hills

The rolling sage-juniper hills around Soda Springs hold scattered bucks and offer excellent public access via BLM ground.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 68

Unit 68 rewards glassers who cover ground.

Mahogany Rim Glass

Set up on a mahogany-edged ridge at first light and glass the sage-bench terrain below. Most bucks feed in the open during dawn before tucking into mahogany pockets.

Field-Edge Evening Hunts

Evening hunts over alfalfa-adjacent cover produce the biggest bucks. Set up on the cover side of the wind and let deer drift into glassable range.

Still-Hunt Mahogany Midday

Mature bucks bed in mahogany pockets on shaded slopes. Still-hunt upwind at a crawl; shots are typically 60–150 yards.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Unit 68 general-tag mule deer success typically runs 20–35%; controlled-hunt portions hit 40–55% with better buck quality. Archery success hovers at 10–15%.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	20	67	29.9%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

General mule deer tags for Unit 68 are available OTC for residents and on a first-come basis for nonresidents subject to the southeast Idaho allocation. Controlled hunts within the unit use pure random draw with a 10% nonresident quota and no points.

Elk Hunting in Unit 68

Idaho GMU 68 covers Sublette country and the Bannock Range south of Pocatello. Elk distribute across aspen-conifer benches, sagebrush flats, and willow drainages. With a 1:1 applicant-to-tag ratio over three years on the 68|elk code, this is a high-probability draw. IDFG uses pure-random drawing with a 10% nonresident quota.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 68

Elk in Unit 68 concentrate on the aspen-conifer slopes of the Bannock Range between 6,000 and 8,500 feet. We glass dark-timber fringes at dawn and dusk and focus on saddles during the rut. The willow drainages hold bulls in snow-driven years when herds drop out of the high country.

How to Hunt Unit 68

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle35%

Archery19%

Unit 68 elk success typically runs 20% to 35% on controlled-hunt codes. The 1:1 applicant-to-tag ratio indicates the hunt fills reliably. Pull the current IDFG harvest summary for specifics.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	123	132	93.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho uses a pure-random drawing. With roughly 170 applicants and 170 tags over three years, resident odds approach 90%+ on this code. Nonresidents face the 10% cap. Pure-random means no points — apply every year.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for an Idaho Unit 68 pronghorn tag?

Apply through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game controlled-hunt application system during the posted May window. Choose a first and second choice hunt on your application.

Is Unit 68 an OTC or controlled hunt for pronghorn?

Unit 68 pronghorn tags are issued through IDFG's controlled-hunt draw rather than sold over the counter. Check the current IDFG big-game seasons and rules for exact hunt codes.

Can I buy a general mule deer tag for Unit 68?

Yes. General mule deer tags are OTC for Idaho residents and available to nonresidents subject to allocation. Some hunts within the unit are controlled — read the current season structure carefully.

When is the best time to hunt Unit 68 mule deer?

Late October through early November produces the best buck activity as bucks begin to move ahead of the rut. Early season also works well for bachelor groups on the high mahogany benches.

How good are the 68|elk draw odds?

With near-1:1 applicants-to-tags over three years, resident odds approach 90% or better. One of the more accessible controlled-hunt elk codes in southeast Idaho.

Is Unit 68 near Utah?

Unit 68 sits near the Idaho-Utah border. Hunters coming from the south should confirm which state's boundary they're inside — GPS overlays are essential.

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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: Season structure, Weapon types, Unit-level regulations · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Controlled Hunts — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Controlled hunt application, Draw timeline, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Historical draw odds, Harvest statistics, Unit selection · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 68 seasons and weapons, Mule deer tag structure · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Per-unit season selector, Public access · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG State of Deer and Elk — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Southeast Idaho mule deer population trends, Fawn:doe ratios · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-2026 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Season dates, Weapon classes, Nonresident 10% quota · accessed 2026-04-17
Caribou-Targhee National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Public-land holdings, Access roads, Dispersed camping · accessed 2026-04-17