Unit 62A Deer Hunting, Idaho
Idaho hunting unit · 243 sq mi
General season — resident tags over the counter
Residents buy general deer tags over the counter — no draw, no points. Nonresident general tags are allocated by random draw. It also has 6 controlled hunts, drawn by pure random draw with no points — resident odds from good odds to long odds.
What hunting Unit 62A is like
Unit 62A is gentle and rolling country, with the bulk of the ground classed as gentle terrain and only a small sliver of steep slope anywhere in the unit. Elevations run from about 5,200 feet up to nearly 7,900 feet, and cover shifts with that climb: lower country mixes conifer with sagebrush, riparian strips and a bit of aspen and grass, mid elevations lean harder into conifer and sagebrush, and the highest ground is almost all timber. Much of the hunting is foot country and glassing country rather than technical climbing, with the Targhee National Forest anchoring the public ground and its designated wilderness closed to motorized travel.
About 90 percent of the unit's 243 square miles is generally open to public hunting, spread across National Forest, BLM and Idaho state endowment land, though endowment parcels can be posted closed or leased and should never be assumed open without checking. Private land makes up roughly a tenth of the unit and requires written permission. That leaves a hunter with real room to roam, but gentle terrain and heavy public access also mean pressure is a factor worth planning around.
Deer tags here split two ways: a regular deer tag good for mule deer or white-tailed deer under most seasons, and a white-tailed deer tag valid for white-tailed deer only, each running its own archery and any-weapon seasons from late August through early December. Residents buy either general tag over the counter, while nonresidents apply for a specific one of those two tags in a random draw at the time of application. On top of the general framework, several controlled hunts open extra opportunity — some for either sex, some antlerless-only, and one youth-only — each drawn independently with no points involved anywhere in the system.
General-season deer (2026)
The Regular Deer tag is valid for mule deer or white-tailed deer unless a season says otherwise; the White-tailed Deer tag is white-tailed deer only. Residents buy general deer tags over the counter; nonresident general tags are allocated by random draw.
| Season | Dates | Legal deer | Rut phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular deer tag · Archery | August 30 – September 30 | Antlered | Summer Range / Bachelor Pattern, Velvet Shed / Early Fall Transition |
| White-tailed deer tag · Archery | August 30 – September 30 | Antlered or antlerless | Summer Range / Bachelor Pattern, Velvet Shed / Early Fall Transition |
| Regular deer tag · Any weapon | October 10 – October 24 | Antlered | Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase |
| White-tailed deer tag · Any weapon | October 10 – October 31 | Antlered or antlerless | Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase, Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging |
| White-tailed deer tag · Any weapon | November 10 – December 9 | Antlered or antlerless | Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging, Primary Rut, Late Rut / Winter Consolidation |
Regular deer tag · Archery · August 30 – September 30
Archery season opens while bucks are still in velvet and bachelored in small groups through the Summer Range / Bachelor Pattern phase, sliding into the Velvet Shed / Early Fall Transition phase by mid-to-late September. Summer scouting and glassing pay off more than anything else, since deer need little water beyond a seep or passing rainstorm and feed heavily on forbs and browse. Bucks feed into the morning then bed in shade for most of the day, so working shady pockets and north-facing slopes in this gentle, timber-and-sagebrush country can turn up a bedded buck worth a midday stalk; glass again in the evening to pattern one for a morning return. Once velvet sheds, habits hold steady but bucks may bed earlier and stay put until dark, so a buck that seems to vanish is usually still tucked in a nearby draw or crevice. The regular deer tag is valid for an antlered deer only during this stretch.
White-tailed deer tag · Archery · August 30 – September 30
This white-tailed deer archery season runs the same calendar as the regular archery hunt, spanning the Summer Range / Bachelor Pattern phase into the Velvet Shed / Early Fall Transition phase, and rewards the same summer-scouting approach. Bucks bachelor up, feed on forbs and browse, and stick near modest water sources through the gentle lower and mid-elevation country where conifer, sagebrush and riparian strips mix. Glass at first light to locate a buck and mark his bedding cover, then use the midday hours while he's bedded to close the distance, checking shady draws and north slopes when a buck seems to disappear. This tag allows either an antlered or antlerless white-tailed deer, giving more flexibility than the regular archery tag's antlered-only restriction.
Regular deer tag · Any weapon · October 10 – October 24
By the Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase, bucks taken on the any-weapon regular deer tag are harder to catch moving, growing steadily more nocturnal through October while mostly holding near their summer range. Snow is light this time of year, so the hunt is still about covering the gentle, rolling ground and glassing the timber and sagebrush edges where bucks were seen over summer rather than waiting on weather to move deer. This tag permits an antlered deer only, so time spent confirming antlers before a shot matters.
White-tailed deer tag · Any weapon · October 10 – October 31
Running from October 10 into the end of the month, this white-tailed deer season starts in the Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase, when bucks grow increasingly nocturnal near their summer haunts, and carries into the Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging phase as deer begin drifting toward rutting ground. The productive approach shifts accordingly: early on, still-hunt or glass the same summer cover, then toward month's end start covering the country between summer range and likely rut ground. Either an antlered or antlerless white-tailed deer is legal, which widens the window compared with the regular tag's antlered-only rule.
White-tailed deer tag · Any weapon · November 10 – December 9
Spanning the Early Pre-Rut, Primary Rut and Late Rut / Winter Consolidation phases, this late white-tailed season sits squarely in the rut and is one of the better windows of the year to connect. Early on, deer are still staging along migration routes between summer and rut ground, but by November bucks are actively rutting and accumulating snowfall through November and December can push deer out of the high timber onto lower, more glassable ground. Glassing early and late pays off, fresh snow is worth checking for fresh tracks, and finding does is the surest way to find a buck nearby. Either sex is legal on this tag, and the growing cold and snow load by December favor hunters willing to work the lower elevations.
Controlled deer hunts (2026)
Controlled hunts have a limited number of tags and are drawn by pure random draw — Idaho uses no points, so years of applying do not improve the odds. First choices are drawn before second choices. A hunt marked as covering part of Unit 62A is valid only in its own hunt area.
| Season | Dates | Legal deer | Resident draw | Rut phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled hunt 60-1X · Archery Extra antlerless tag; Archery only, White-tailed deer only | August 30 – September 30 | Antlerless only | Good odds | Summer Range / Bachelor Pattern, Velvet Shed / Early Fall Transition |
| Controlled hunt 60-2 · Any weapon | October 5 – November 8 | Antlered or antlerless | Long odds | Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase, Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging |
| Controlled hunt 60-1 · Any weapon | October 10 – November 30 | See the hunt's rules | — | Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase, Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging, Primary Rut, Late Rut / Winter Consolidation |
| Controlled hunt 60-1X · Any weapon Extra antlerless tag; White-tailed deer only | October 10 – October 31 | Antlerless only | Good odds | Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase, Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging |
| Controlled hunt 60-1 · Any weapon Youth only | October 10 – October 24 | Antlered or antlerless | Youth only | Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase |
| Controlled hunt 60-1 · Any weapon | October 25 – November 15 | Antlerless only | Good odds | Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging, Primary Rut |
| Controlled hunt 60-1X · Any weapon Extra antlerless tag; White-tailed deer only | November 20 – December 19 | Antlerless only | Good odds | Primary Rut, Late Rut / Winter Consolidation |
Resident draw is a band in words from the 2026 first-choice results: good, fair, long or very long odds. It is not a published percentage, and nonresident odds differ. Youth-only hunts are shown without a band.
Controlled hunt 60-1X · Archery · August 30 – September 30
This archery-only controlled hunt for white-tailed deer falls during the Summer Range / Bachelor Pattern and Velvet Shed / Early Fall Transition phases, the same late-summer stretch when deer hold near modest water and feed on forbs and browse in the unit's lower and mid-elevation cover. Because this is an antlerless-only tag, the hunt is about locating groups of deer in that cover and closing the distance with archery gear rather than picking through bucks. Hunt 60-1X draws at good odds for residents as an extra antlerless opportunity layered onto the general archery season.
Controlled hunt 60-2 · Any weapon · October 5 – November 8
Covering October 5 through November 8, this controlled hunt opens during the Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase and runs into the Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging phase, meaning bucks start out nocturnal and holding near summer range before beginning to stage toward rutting ground as the hunt closes. Either sex is legal, so hunters can work the same glassing tactics used elsewhere in the unit — covering the gentle terrain and timber-sagebrush transitions between summer and staging areas. Hunt 60-2 draws at long odds for residents, making it a tougher one to land relative to the unit's other controlled hunts.
Controlled hunt 60-1 · Any weapon · October 10 – November 30
This long any-weapon controlled hunt runs from October 10 through November 30, covering the full arc from the Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase through Early Pre-Rut staging into the Primary Rut and Late Rut / Winter Consolidation phases. Early in the season bucks are nocturnal and tied to summer range, then begin drifting toward rut ground, and by November are fully rutting with snowfall potentially pushing deer down to more glassable elevations; fresh snow is worth checking for tracks, and does often lead to nearby bucks. Legal animals for this hunt follow the hunt's own specific rules rather than a blanket antlered-or-antlerless standard, so those rules should be checked before heading out. The long season length gives hunters a chance to hunt several phases of deer behavior within one tag.
Controlled hunt 60-1X · Any weapon · October 10 – October 31
Running October 10 through October 31, this antlerless-only controlled hunt for white-tailed deer spans the Early Fall Migration / Nocturnal Buck Phase and the start of the Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging phase. Hunters should focus on locating deer in the timber and sagebrush cover of the lower and mid elevations, working the gentle terrain that defines most of the unit. Hunt 60-1X draws at good odds for residents and offers an extra antlerless opportunity for white-tailed deer specifically.
Controlled hunt 60-1 · Any weapon · October 25 – November 15
This antlerless-only hunt runs October 25 through November 15, spanning the Early Pre-Rut / Migration Corridor Staging phase into the Primary Rut. As deer begin staging along migration routes and the rut gets underway, antlerless deer can be found concentrating with the general herd, so working the cover between summer range and rut ground in this gentle, rolling country is the practical approach. Hunt 60-1 draws at good odds for residents on this antlerless tag.
Controlled hunt 60-1X · Any weapon · November 20 – December 19
Covering November 20 through December 19, this antlerless-only hunt for white-tailed deer spans the Primary Rut and Late Rut / Winter Consolidation phases, late enough that accumulating snowfall in November and December can push deer down out of the higher timber onto lower, easier-to-reach ground. That lower-elevation concentration is worth using to advantage when still-hunting or glassing for antlerless deer in the cold late-season conditions. Hunt 60-1X draws at good odds for residents as an extra antlerless opportunity to close out the year.
Terrain & elevation
- Elevation
- 5,200–7,900 ft, typically around 6,300 ft
- Slope breakdown
- 76% gentle · 20% moderate · 4% steep · 0% rugged
- Ground you can count on
- ~218 sq mi
- National forests
- Targhee National Forest
Habitat & cover
What grows here, by elevation. Each band adds to 100% on its own — these are shares of that band, not of the unit.
Lower elevations
- Conifer50%
- Sagebrush22%
- Other cover20%
- Riparian4%
- Aspen3%
- Grass and meadow1%
Mid elevations
- Conifer68%
- Sagebrush26%
- Riparian3%
- Aspen2%
- Other cover2%
Higher elevations
- Conifer90%
- Sagebrush6%
- Aspen2%
- Other cover2%
Cover classes from the USGS National Land Cover Database. “Other cover” is the remainder — bare ground, water, agriculture and developed land.
Land & access
About 90% of Unit 62A is public land a hunter can generally count on — National Forest, Idaho state endowment land and BLM.
- National Forest86%
- Idaho state endowment land3%
- BLM<1%
- Unclassified ownership<1%
- Private10%
Idaho state endowment land is generally open to hunting unless posted closed or leased — check the parcel before planning around it.
Fall weather
- August — highs around 79°F, lows around 45°F
- September — highs around 69°F, lows around 37°F
- October — highs around 54°F, lows around 28°F, about 1 in of snowfall
- November — highs around 39°F, lows around 18°F, about 9.8 in of snowfall
- December — highs around 28°F, lows around 10°F, about 22.8 in of snowfall
Unit 62A deer hunting FAQ
Can a resident buy a deer tag for Unit 62A over the counter?
Yes. Residents can buy either the regular deer tag or the white-tailed deer tag over the counter for the general seasons, with no application or draw required. Controlled hunts are separate and still require entering a random draw.
How do nonresidents get a general tag in Unit 62A?
Nonresidents apply for a general tag through a random draw, and they choose the specific tag — either the regular deer tag or the white-tailed deer tag — at the time they apply. The tag is not selected after the draw; it is locked in as part of the application.
How hard are the controlled hunts to draw in Unit 62A?
It varies by hunt. Hunt 60-2 draws at long odds for residents, while the antlerless-focused hunts — 60-1X in its various season windows and the 60-1 antlerless hunt — all draw at good odds for residents.
Which deer tags work in Unit 62A?
The regular deer tag covers mule deer or white-tailed deer in its general seasons unless a specific season restricts it further, while the white-tailed deer tag is valid for white-tailed deer only. Several controlled hunts add antlerless-only or either-sex opportunity on top of those general tags.
Which Unit 62A seasons fall during the rut?
The white-tailed deer tag's November 10 to December 9 any-weapon season, along with controlled hunts 60-1 (both its any-weapon and antlerless windows) and 60-1X's November 20 to December 19 antlerless hunt, all fall during the November rut. Earlier seasons in August, September and early October occur before deer enter rutting behavior.
Data sources & methodology
- Idaho Fish and Game — Idaho Big Game 2026 Seasons & Rules — general and controlled season dates, legal animals and the brochure's unit notes
- Idaho Fish and Game — Idaho Hunt Planner — unit boundaries, the national forests and wilderness areas in each unit, and controlled-hunt drawing results behind the odds bands
- Idaho Fish and Game — 2026 Nonresident General Tags and Tags Allocated to Outfitters — which general elk zone tags are capped
- USGS / MRLC — National Land Cover Database — habitat and cover classes by elevation band
- USGS PAD-US — Protected Areas Database of the United States — land ownership and access
- Daymet daily climate, 1991–2020 (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) — fall weather
- National Interagency Fire Center — wildfire perimeters — recent fires, their size and where they burned
Controlled-hunt draw difficulty is a qualitative band from resident first-choice results, not published odds. Land shares are separate, non-overlapping categories. Confirm current dates and rules in the Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules brochure before you hunt. Unit data last updated September 29, 2026.