Idaho Unit 42 Elk Hunting Guide

Idaho Unit 42 sits in the southern part of the state's elk country, spanning elevations from 4,193 to 6,807 feet across 859,257 acres of terrain that is entirely public land. For hunters researching where to spend a limited-entry or general elk tag, Unit 42's 100% public land status makes it one of the more accessible units in Idaho — no fence lines, no locked gates, no negotiating with private landowners for permission. That alone puts it on the radar for DIY hunters who want to hunt hard without worrying about land access.

This unit has produced measurable elk harvest in recent years, with success rates fluctuating from the mid-20s to over 40% depending on the season. Below, we break down what the harvest numbers, terrain, and application data tell hunters considering Unit 42 for an upcoming elk season, using figures tracked by HuntPilot.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 42 Worth Applying For?

Unit 42 presents a straightforward value proposition: 100% public land access paired with a real, functioning elk herd that produces harvestable bulls and cows nearly every year. The unit isn't defined by extreme elevation — topping out under 6,900 feet — which generally means less brutal high-country access than some of Idaho's more mountainous backcountry units, though the terrain still demands physical preparation given the acreage involved.

The harvest data shows a unit that swings year to year but consistently puts elk in hunters' hands. In 2024, 178 hunters harvested 74 elk for a 42% success rate — a strong year by any measure. The following year, 2025, saw success drop to 30% with 169 hunters and 51 harvested. Looking at the four-year window from 2022 through 2025, success rates have ranged from 26% to 42%, which suggests a herd that's stable enough to support consistent harvest but sensitive to conditions that shift year to year (weather, hunter distribution, and elk movement all play a role in these swings).

Trophy production in the surrounding counties has been limited historically, so hunters should not treat Unit 42 as a destination for chasing record-book bulls. It's better framed as an opportunity unit — a place where public land access and a workable success rate combine to give hunters a realistic shot at putting an elk on the ground, rather than a unit built around trophy potential.

For hunters weighing whether to apply, the calculus comes down to priorities. If the goal is guaranteed private-land-free access and a season with a track record of success rates in the high 20s to low 40s percentage range, Unit 42 earns a place on the shortlist. If the goal is specifically hunting for a record-class bull, the data doesn't support that expectation here, and hunters should look elsewhere or adjust their goals accordingly.

Harvest Success Rates

Unit 42's harvest numbers over the past four seasons tell a story of a herd that produces but isn't bulletproof against pressure or conditions:

• 2025: 169 hunters, 51 harvested, 30% success
• 2024: 178 hunters, 74 harvested, 42% success
• 2023: 180 hunters, 62 harvested, 34% success
• 2022: 159 hunters, 41 harvested, 26% success

The four-year average success rate lands right around 33%, with hunter numbers staying relatively stable between 159 and 180 each season. That consistency in hunter turnout, paired with variable harvest totals, suggests the fluctuation is driven more by seasonal conditions and elk distribution than by any dramatic shift in hunting pressure. The 2024 season stands out as the strongest of the four, nearly doubling the harvest total of 2022 with a similar number of hunters afield — a reminder that even in a single unit, year-to-year variance can be significant.

Hunters should treat these numbers as a realistic baseline: roughly one in three hunters in Unit 42 tags an elk in a given year, based on the last four seasons of data. That's a respectable success rate for a public-land elk unit and reflects a huntable, sustainable population rather than a unit riding on a single good year.

Trophy Quality

Trophy record data for the counties overlapping Unit 42 shows a limited history of entries. This doesn't mean big bulls have never come out of the area, but the record-book pedigree here is thin compared to Idaho's more storied trophy units. Hunters heading into Unit 42 should set expectations around a solid, mature bull rather than planning around the chance of a record-class animal. For hunters whose primary goal is trophy potential, this unit's available data doesn't support the investment; for those prioritizing opportunity, access, and a fair shot at filling a tag, the trophy limitation is a secondary concern.

Access & Terrain

Unit 42's defining access feature is its 100% public land status — every acre of the unit's 859,257 total acres is open to hunters without needing to secure private land permission. That's a significant advantage in a state where checkerboarded ownership and private inholdings can complicate hunt planning elsewhere.

Elevation in the unit ranges from 4,193 feet up to 6,807 feet, a moderate spread that avoids the extreme high-alpine terrain found in some western Idaho or backcountry wilderness units. There is no wilderness designation within Unit 42 (0% wilderness), meaning hunters can access the unit via standard roads and trails without the special permitting or motorized-access restrictions that come with designated wilderness areas. This also means the unit is realistically road- and trail-accessible in a way that heavily wilderness-designated units are not, making it a more approachable option for hunters without pack stock or extensive backcountry experience.

General terrain themes in this part of Idaho tend toward a mix of lower-elevation foothill country and mid-elevation timbered slopes, though hunters should scout specific drainages and access points using current maps rather than relying on generalized descriptions. With the entire unit open to public access, the main planning consideration becomes hunter distribution — popular, easily reached areas will see more pressure, while hunters willing to cover more ground on foot can find pockets with less competition.

How to Apply

Idaho's application system for elk in Unit 42 runs through a controlled hunt draw process, and for 2026 the key dates and fees are as follows:

Nonresident elk applicants (2026):

• Application opens: May 01, 2026
• Application deadline: June 05, 2026
• Results: July 01, 2026
• Application fee: $18
• Tag fee: $652
• License fee (required to apply): $185.00

Resident elk applicants (2026):

• Application opens: May 01, 2026
• Application deadline: June 05, 2026
• Results: July 01, 2026
• Application fee: $6.25 (listed as $6 in application fee schedule)
• Tag fee: $37
• License fee (required to apply): $14.75

Nonresidents should note that Idaho requires hunters to hold a qualifying hunting license before they're eligible to submit a controlled hunt application — this $185.00 license fee is separate from, and in addition to, the $18 application fee and the $652 tag fee due if drawn. Residents face a comparable structure, with a $14.75 license fee required ahead of the $6.25 application fee and $37 tag fee.

Both resident and nonresident applications for 2026 share the same window: applications open May 1 and must be submitted by the June 5 deadline, with results published July 1, 2026. Hunters interested in current draw odds specifically for Unit 42 should consult HuntPilot's Idaho unit pages, as well as the state's published draw odds reports, for the most up-to-date percentages by hunt type and residency.

Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the state wildlife agency website before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the terrain like in Idaho Unit 42? Unit 42 ranges from 4,193 to 6,807 feet in elevation, which is moderate compared to many of Idaho's higher-elevation backcountry elk units. There is no wilderness designation in the unit, meaning access is generally more straightforward via roads and trails rather than requiring extended pack-in trips. The unit covers 859,257 acres, all of which is public land, giving hunters wide latitude to explore different terrain types within the boundary without needing private land permission.

What is harvest success like in Unit 42? Recent harvest data shows success rates of 30% in 2025, 42% in 2024, 34% in 2023, and 26% in 2022, with hunter numbers holding steady in the 159-to-180 range each year. That works out to roughly a one-in-three success rate over the last four seasons, which is a solid, dependable number for a public-land elk unit.

How big are the elk in Unit 42? Trophy record data for the counties overlapping this unit shows a limited history of entries, meaning hunters should not expect this to be a unit known for producing record-class bulls. Mature, huntable bulls are certainly available given the harvest numbers, but hunters chasing trophy-caliber animals specifically should treat Unit 42 as an opportunity unit rather than a trophy destination.

Is Unit 42 worth applying for? For hunters prioritizing public land access and a workable success rate, yes — 100% public land ownership combined with a four-year average success rate around 33% makes this a legitimate option for filling an elk tag. For hunters whose main goal is a shot at a record-book bull, the limited trophy history in the surrounding counties suggests looking at units with a stronger trophy pedigree instead.

How much does it cost to apply for an elk tag in Unit 42? For 2026, nonresident applicants pay an $18 application fee plus a required $185.00 license fee to be eligible to apply, with a $652 tag fee due if drawn. Residents pay a $6.25 application fee plus a $14.75 required license fee, with a $37 tag fee if successful. Both residency categories share a May 1 application open date and a June 5, 2026 deadline, with results released July 1, 2026.