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Great Odds for Moose in Idaho

Hunters looking for an opportunity to harvest a Shiras moose should consider Idaho this year. While moose permits are by drawing only, Idaho has some of the best nonresident odds in the nation: 10 percent of all nonresidents that applied for a permit for an antlered moose permit were successful in 2006. Even better for the first-time applicant, Idaho does not allow hunters to accrue bonus points. All hunters, resident and nonresident alike, have an equal opportunity at a coveted permit (although nonresident are limited to 10 percent of all permits issued).

Moose permits are not cheap anywhere, but at $1,765.75, Idaho’s Shiras permits are no more expensive than in most other Western states. The catch is that, while the moose permit fee is returned if the applicant is unsuccessful, all applicants are required to also purchase a nonrefundable hunting license ($141.50) to apply for any controlled hunt.

For 2007, Idaho will be adding a new wrinkle for hunters: hunters looking to apply for moose hunts in Panhandle Hunt Areas 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, and 2 (among the most popular in Idaho), may choose among one of six two-week long hunts (dates are 1-14 and 15-28 of each month, September, October, and November) offered in each area. By offering six hunts instead of a single, longer hunt (traditionally from August 30 to November 23), wildlife managers can more evenly spread hunting pressure, and that means more permits, more hunting opportunity, and (for hunters willing to apply for late-season hunts) better odds of drawing a tag.

Most successful moose hunters hunt seven days to find and tag a bull. Overall hunt success is high, averaging about 75 percent annually. Bull moose harvested in Idaho average an antler spread of 36 inches, but some huge bulls come from the state. In 2006, 60 of 594 bulls harvested reported by press time had antler spreads greater than 45 inches, with 13 of those having antler spreads of 50 to 54 inches.

If you are searching for a bighorn sheep permit, Idaho has some additional good news: three new hunt areas will be opened for the first time in 2007. The hunts are for Rocky Mountain bighorns in central Idaho’s Hunt Area 36A (1 permit valid August 30-October 13) and Wilderness Hunt Area 17 (1 permit valid October 13-31), and for California bighorns in south-central Idaho’s Hunt Area 55 (2 permits valid August 30-October 8). Details appear in Idaho’s Trophy Species Brochure, available in March, and on the Department’s Web site. Applications for trophy species (moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat) are accepted by mail during the month of April.--Dale Toweill