Idaho Mule Deer Moose

Unit 78

Idaho Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Moose

Idaho Unit 78 mule deer 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

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 78

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 78

Mule deer in this unit inhabit remote backcountry ridges and river breaks typical of the Frank Church / Chamberlain Basin wilderness country. Focus on open ridges with scattered pines, burn-regrowth browse, and river-bottom transition zones. Backpack or float-in access is often required.

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

How to Hunt Unit 78

Plan your hunt around the controlled-hunt season dates and weapon type on your tag. Unit 78 is heavily wilderness — plan for horse packing, backpack hunts, or jet-boat access along the Salmon or Middle Fork. Glass from high points, then stalk into wind once deer are located.

Be prepared for variable weather, remote camps, and long pack-outs.

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Mule Deer 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. Weather, fire activity, and herd dynamics year to year all move success numbers substantially.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	179	761	23.5%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 78 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.

Moose Hunting in Unit 78

Unit 78 is a once-in-a-lifetime moose hunt in Idaho's extreme southeast corner along Bear Lake, covering the Bear River Range up to the Utah line. This country holds a small but well-established moose population that feeds in the aspen-willow draws and cold mountain meadows. The unit sees almost no other moose hunting pressure, and success on drawn tags stays consistently high. We think of it as one of Idaho's most enjoyable OIAL draws because the terrain is manageable and the country is beautiful.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 78

Moose in 78 tuck into the small drainages on the east side of the Bear River Range.

St. Charles Creek

Willow bottoms along St. Charles Creek hold bulls year-round. Glass at dawn from the canyon rims.

Paris Canyon Drainage

Paris Canyon's aspen-willow complex holds rutting bulls from mid-September through mid-October.

Bloomington Canyon

Bloomington Canyon hides transitioning bulls moving between summer and winter range. It's the best backup if St. Charles and Paris are quiet.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 78

Park high, glass long, and move only with purpose.

Canyon-Rim Glassing

Sit on a canyon rim for the first 2 hours of daylight and the last 2 of dusk. Bulls feed in the willow bottoms during those windows.

Aspen Pocket Still-Hunts

Midday bedded bulls hold in aspen pockets. Still-hunt across the wind and be ready for a 50–100 yard shot.

Cow Calling the Rut

Soft cow calls in late September pull responsive bulls out of heavy cover. Keep calling minimal — a bull searching for a cow approaches slowly.

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Moose Success Rates

Unit 78 moose success consistently runs 80–95% year over year. The long season plus the limited tag count give hunters time to wait for a mature bull. Most tags fill within the first week.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	4	72	5.6%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Pure random draw with 10% nonresident quota. Moose is OIAL in Idaho. Unit 78 resident odds typically fall 1–4%; nonresidents face tighter odds within the 10% cap. No points.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for an Idaho Unit 78 mule deer 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 78 an OTC or controlled hunt for mule deer?

Unit 78 mule deer 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.

Is Unit 78 beginner-friendly as a moose hunt?

Yes. Terrain is manageable, the habitat is easy to glass, and the success rate is high. If you draw as a first-time moose hunter, 78 is as approachable as Idaho moose country gets.

What is the Idaho moose OIAL rule?

Once you draw any Idaho moose tag, you are ineligible to apply for any Idaho moose tag again for life.

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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 78 moose season, OIAL rules · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Controlled Hunt Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 78 moose draw odds, Tag counts · accessed 2026-04-17
Caribou-Targhee National Forest — USDA Forest Service — Caribou-Targhee NF · supports: Public land access in Bear River Range, Trailheads · accessed 2026-04-17