Idaho Elk Hunting Units & Draw Odds
99 units · 26.9% avg hunter success
Idaho's elk draw is random—no points required. We've tracked 99 units across the state, and five of them show zero-point hunts that drew at 100.0% in recent years, meaning if you drew, you were in. Nonresidents get 10% of the available tags. For 2026, applications open May 1 and close June 5, with results on July 1. The nonresident tag fee is $651.75 plus an $18 application fee. This page breaks down five of Idaho's most accessible units by recent harvest success rates, so you can target where your draw odds are strongest and where tags actually convert to elk.
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 · $651.75 tag
Easiest Elk 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 2053
100% at zero points · Hunt 2054
100% at zero points · Hunt 2051
100% at zero points · Hunt 2122, 2nd Draw
100% at zero points · Hunt 2061
100% at zero points · Hunt 2067
100% at zero points · Hunt 2076
100% at zero points · Hunt 2078
100% at zero points · Hunt 2080
100% at zero points · Hunt 2126
100% at zero points · Hunt 2075
100% at zero points · Hunt 2078
| Unit | Drew with certainty at | Best zero-point hunt | Success | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 11A | — | 100%Hunt 2053 | 15% | 87% |
| Unit 13 | — | 100%Hunt 2054 | 34% | 33% |
| Unit 2 | — | 100%Hunt 2051 | 70% | 19% |
| Unit 22 | — | 100%Hunt 2122, 2nd Draw | 22% | 77% |
| Unit 23 | — | 100%Hunt 2061 | 43% | 76% |
| Unit 24 | — | 100%Hunt 2067 | 12% | 57% |
| Unit 30A | — | 100%Hunt 2076 | 50% | 97% |
| Unit 31 | — | 100%Hunt 2078 | 19% | 52% |
| Unit 36 | — | 100%Hunt 2080 | 27% | 100% |
| Unit 36A | — | 100%Hunt 2126 | 68% | 99% |
| Unit 36B | — | 100%Hunt 2075 | 24% | 95% |
| Unit 37A | — | 100%Hunt 2078 | 15% | 96% |
All Idaho Elk Units
Idaho Elk Draw FAQ
Do I need points to hunt elk in Idaho?
No. Idaho's elk draw is random—there's no point system. You apply without accumulating preference points, and your name either draws or it doesn't.
When do Idaho elk applications open and close for 2026?
Nonresident applications open May 1 and close June 5, 2026. Results are posted July 1. The application fee is $18, and if you draw, the tag fee is $651.75.
What percentage of Idaho elk tags go to nonresidents?
Nonresidents receive 10% of available tags across Idaho's elk draws.
Which Idaho elk units have the best harvest success?
Unit 2 showed 70% harvest success in 2022, and Unit 23 posted 43% in 2024. Both had zero-point hunts available. Unit 13 and Unit 22 followed at 34% and 22% respectively, while Unit 11A came in at 15%.
Plan your Idaho Elk hunt — free account, no card. Run the draw simulator at your point level, see 2022–2024 data, and save units to compare.
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