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Idaho Hunting Laws

Idaho has no minimum caliber for centerfire big game rifles or handguns — any centerfire cartridge is legal — but rimfire firearms and muzzleloading handguns are unlawful for deer, elk, and most other big game. Hunter orange is recommended, not required, for big game.

Rules checked against Idaho Department of Fish and Game regulations, August 30, 2026.

At a Glance

Wildlife Agency
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Regulations Year
2026
Coverage
Verified against primary sources
Verified Rules on File
51
Rules Pending Review
0
Zones With Special Rules
0
Official regulations → Verify with Idaho Department of Fish and Game →

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Sourced Rules

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it.

Rifle and Handgun

1 rule
White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Pronghorn Black Bear

No minimum caliber — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge is legal for big game. Rimfire rifles/handguns and muzzleloading handguns (pistols) are unlawful, except when hunting mountain lion or a trapped gray wolf.

"With any rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun or any muzzleloading handgun, except for mountain lion and trapped gray wolf."

IDAPA 13.01.08.410.01.c · verified Aug 2026

Shotgun

2 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Pronghorn Black Bear

Shotguns used for big game must use slugs or shot no smaller than double-aught (#00) buckshot.

"With any shotgun using any shot smaller than double-aught (#00) buck."

IDAPA 13.01.08.410.01.b · verified Aug 2026

Wild Turkey

Turkey shot may not exceed BB size (lead) or T size (steel). Idaho does not require nontoxic shot for turkey.

"With lead shot exceeding BB size. ... With steel shot exceeding T size."

IDAPA 13.01.09.300.02.a-b · verified Aug 2026

Handgun

1 rule
White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Pronghorn Black Bear

During Short-Range Weapon Only seasons, legal handguns are limited to straight-wall centerfire cartridges.

"Any handgun using straight wall centerfire cartridges."

IDAPA 13.01.08.407.01.e · verified Aug 2026

Muzzleloader

5 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer Pronghorn Mountain Lion

Muzzleloading rifles/muskets must be at least .45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, or mountain lion.

"With a muzzleloading rifle or musket which is less than forty-five (.45) caliber for deer, pronghorn, mountain lion, or gray wolf, or which is less than fifty (.50) caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat..."

IDAPA 13.01.08.410.03.a · verified Aug 2026

Elk Moose Black Bear

Muzzleloading rifles/muskets must be at least .50 caliber for elk, moose, or black bear.

IDAPA 13.01.08.410.03.a · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Pronghorn Black Bear

During Muzzleloader Only seasons, the muzzleloader must use flint, musket cap, or percussion cap ignition — inline actions using 209 shotshell primers are not legal.

"Is equipped only with flint, musket cap, or percussion cap. 209 primers are prohibited."

IDAPA 13.01.08.406.01.f · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Pronghorn Black Bear

During Muzzleloader Only seasons, only open or peep sights are legal — no magnified scopes.

"Is equipped only with open or peep sights."

IDAPA 13.01.08.406.01.c · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Pronghorn Black Bear

During Muzzleloader Only seasons, only a patched round ball or a conical metal/metal-alloy projectile may be loaded (accuracy tips are allowed).

"Is loaded only with a patched round ball or conical metal or metal alloy projectile, except accuracy tips are allowed."

IDAPA 13.01.08.406.01.h · verified Aug 2026

Air Gun

3 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer Pronghorn Mountain Lion

Pre-charged pneumatic airguns must fire at least .35 caliber projectiles for deer, pronghorn, or mountain lion.

"With any airgun using pre-charged pneumatic power to propel a projectile (excluding shot and arrows) with unignited compressed air or gas and projectiles less than thirty-five (0.35) caliber for deer, pronghorn antelo..."

IDAPA 13.01.08.410.02.h · verified Aug 2026

Elk Moose Black Bear

Pre-charged pneumatic airguns must fire at least .45 caliber projectiles for elk, moose, or black bear.

IDAPA 13.01.08.410.02.h · verified Aug 2026

Wild Turkey

Airguns used for turkey must fire at least .30 caliber projectiles (pre-charged pneumatic, unignited compressed air/gas).

"With any airgun using pre-charged pneumatic power to propel a projectile (including shot and arrows) with unignited compressed air or gas and projectiles less than thirty (.30) caliber."

IDAPA 13.01.09.300.02.d · verified Aug 2026

All Weapons

2 rules
Small Game

Hunter orange (36 sq in above the waist) is required only where an Upland Game Bird Permit is required (Department-stocked pheasant sites). Idaho does not require hunter orange for big game hunting — it is recommended only.

"When hunting on locations where an Upland Game Bird Permit is required, without wearing at least thirty-six (36) square inches of visible hunter orange above the waist."

IDAPA 13.01.09.300.01.e · verified Aug 2026

All species

Idaho's hunting rules are silent on suppressors: the big game rule's list of unlawful firearms does not mention them, and neither do the game bird rule or the 2026 big game seasons and rules booklet, so they are not a restricted method for any species. Possession still has to be lawful under federal law and Idaho's weapons statutes. One real catch: the same rule caps a big game firearm at 16 pounds including scope, sling and any other attachments, and a suppressor's weight counts toward that.

Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices

"410. UNLAWFUL METHODS OF TAKE – GENERAL. No person may take big game animals as set forth in this section. 01. Firearms. a. With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling, and/or any other attachments, weig..."

IDAPA 13.01.08.410.01 — no mention of suppressors, silencers or mufflers in Section 410 'Unlawful Methods of Take — General' (read 2026-10-16) · verified Oct 2026

Federal Rules That Apply in Every State

These federal requirements apply in Idaho on top of state law.

Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species. 50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist. 50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules. 50 CFR § 32.2(k)

Sources

IDAPA 13.01.08 — Rules Governing the Taking of Big Game Animals Idaho Department of Fish and Game / Idaho Administrative Code (Office of the Administrative Rules Coordinator) · retrieved October 16, 2026
IDAPA 13.01.09 — Rules Governing Taking of Game Birds and Upland Game Animals Idaho Department of Fish and Game / Idaho Administrative Code · retrieved August 30, 2026

How to Use This Page

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it. Rules marked needs review come from summaries rather than the regulation text, and never produce a green answer in the checker. The checker's energy figures are typical factory loads, so where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, check your own load's rating. This page covers equipment only, not seasons, tags or local ordinances, and it isn't legal advice. The current Idaho Department of Fish and Game regulations are the final word.