Bowhunting in the Panhandle: requirements and 2026 archery seasons

To buy an archery permit in Idaho you need a valid hunting license plus proof of an approved bowhunter education course, proof of earlier archery-only licensing, or a signed affidavit.

Deer
In most Panhandle units (1, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7 and 9), archery deer season runs August 30 to September 30, with a second window December 10 to 24 for white-tailed deer. Unit 2 also lists a November 1 to December 1 archery window for white-tailed deer; check the Farragut notes in the rule book. In Unit 8 the season is August 30 to September 30. An archery permit is required.

Elk
On the A tag, archery for antlered elk runs August 30 to September 30 and again December 10 to 16. On the B tag, it runs September 6 to 12. A separate archery hunt for any elk is open September 15 to 21 on or within one mile of private land in Units 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5 and 6.

Farragut
At Farragut State Park and Wildlife Management Area, spring turkey (April 15 to 30) and fall turkey (November 1 to December 1) are archery only and need an archery permit.

The Panhandle tables are hard to read by unit, so check the line for the unit you will hunt in the official brochure.