Idaho Black Bear Hunting Units & Draw Odds
89 units
Idaho's black bear draw is straightforward: it's a random system with no points required. As a nonresident, you're competing for a fixed allocation of tags across 89 hunting units statewide. Applications open early May and close in early June each year, with results announced by early July. You'll pay an application fee upfront and a tag fee only if you draw. This page compiles draw data from multiple units so you can see which areas have historically offered the best odds for first-time applicants. Whether you're applying to a specific region or testing several units, understanding the real draw percentages from past years beats guessing.
How the Idaho Draw Works
Draw system
Pure random draw — every applicant has equal odds, no points.
Nonresident allocation: 10% of tags
2026 application window
May 1 – Jun 5(nonresident)
Results: Jul 1
2026 fees (nonresident, regular)
$18 app · $185 license · $231.75 tag
Easiest Black Bear Draws for Nonresidents (2024 Results)
Point levels that drew with certainty, and the best documented zero-point hunts — actual draw results, per hunt.
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
100% at zero points · Hunt 8505, 2nd Draw
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
100% at zero points · Hunt 8505, 2nd Draw
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
100% at zero points · Hunt 8003
20% at zero points · Hunt 8503
| Unit | Drew with certainty at | Best zero-point hunt | Success | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 17 | — | 100%Hunt 8003 | — | 100% |
| Unit 2 | — | 100%('22)Hunt 8003 | — | 19% |
| Unit 21 | — | 100%Hunt 8003 | — | 100% |
| Unit 22 | — | 100%('22)Hunt 8505, 2nd Draw | — | 77% |
| Unit 28 | — | 100%Hunt 8003 | — | 98% |
| Unit 3 | — | 100%Hunt 8003 | — | 61% |
| Unit 31 | — | 100%('22)Hunt 8505, 2nd Draw | — | 52% |
| Unit 32 | — | 100%Hunt 8003 | — | 30% |
| Unit 38 | — | 100%Hunt 8003 | — | 42% |
| Unit 39 | — | 100%Hunt 8003 | — | 81% |
| Unit 6 | — | 100%('22)Hunt 8003 | — | 66% |
| Unit 32A | — | 20%Hunt 8503 | — | 75% |
All Idaho Black Bear Units
Idaho Black Bear Draw FAQ
Do I need points to draw a black bear tag in Idaho?
No. Idaho's black bear draw is random, and points don't factor into it. Every applicant, regardless of how many times they've applied before, has an equal shot in the draw for each unit you apply to.
When do nonresident black bear applications open and close?
In 2026, applications open May 1 and close June 5. Results are posted July 1. Mark those dates in your calendar—missing the deadline means missing that year's draw entirely.
What does it cost to apply for a black bear tag as a nonresident?
You'll pay an application fee upfront, then a separate tag fee only if you draw. Keep both charges in mind when budgeting for multiple applications across states.
Which Idaho black bear units have the best draw odds for nonresidents?
Several units have shown strong drawing odds for zero-point applicants in recent years, including Units 17, 2, 21, 28, and others tracked here. Check the individual unit pages to see which fits your hunt style and schedule.
Plan your Idaho Black Bear hunt — free account, no card. Run the draw simulator at your point level and compare every unit in the state.
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