Unit 76 Elk Hunting, Idaho
Idaho hunting unit · Diamond Creek Elk Zone · 1,390 sq mi
General season — resident tags over the counter
Residents buy general elk tags over the counter — no draw, no points. General elk is sold by zone: Unit 76 is in the Diamond Creek Elk Zone, whose A and B tags carry different seasons. 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 very long odds. The zone's A tag and B tag are capped: a limited number, sold first-come, first-served.
What hunting Unit 76 is like
Unit 76 is rolling to moderately steep country, spanning elevations from around 5,800 feet to just under 10,000 feet. The bulk of the ground is gentle to moderate slope, with only a small share classified as steep and none as rugged, which makes for approachable foot-hunting terrain rather than technical mountain hunting. Cover shifts with elevation: sagebrush and riparian bottoms dominate the lower country, sagebrush and conifer mix through the mid elevations, and conifer becomes the majority cover up high alongside sagebrush. Public ground here falls within Caribou National Forest and Targhee National Forest, both of which offer foot access across a range of elevations.
About 54 percent of the unit, roughly 752 square miles, is generally open to public hunting across National Forest, BLM, state endowment, and Wildlife Management Area land, though state endowment parcels can be posted closed or leased and should not be assumed open. Private land makes up close to 44 percent of the unit and requires written permission, and a small unclassified share rounds out the rest. That leaves a real but not overwhelming amount of dependable public ground, so scouting land status before the season matters as much as scouting elk.
Unit 76 sits within the Diamond Creek Elk Zone, which it shares with Unit 66A for general season purposes. Residents buy general elk tags for the zone over the counter with no draw required, while nonresidents apply for either the zone's A tag or B tag through a random draw, choosing which specific tag to apply for at the time of application rather than after being drawn. Both the A and B tags are capped, sold first-come, first-served until they run out. Beyond the general season, several controlled hunts add antlered or antlerless opportunity at different points in the fall and winter, each drawn by pure random chance with no points involved.
General-season elk (2026)
General elk tags are sold by zone. Unit 76 is in the Diamond Creek Elk Zone (Units 66A and 76); a hunter chooses its A tag or its B tag, and each carries its own seasons. The windows below are the ones valid in Unit 76. Residents buy the tag over the counter; nonresident general tags are allocated by random draw.
| Season | Dates | Legal elk | Rut phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| B tag · Archery Valid area: Portion of Unit 76 | August 1 – September 30 | Any elk | Late Summer / Velvet, Pre-Rut Transition, Rut Onset, Primary Rut |
| A tag · Archery Valid area: Units 66A and 76 | August 30 – September 30 | Any elk | Pre-Rut Transition, Rut Onset, Primary Rut |
| B tag · Any weapon Valid area: Portion of Unit 76 | October 1 – October 15 | Antlerless only | Late Rut / Early Post-Rut |
B tag · Archery · August 1 – September 30
Early in this stretch of B tag archery season, bulls are finishing out their velvet and holding close to summer range, moving through the Late Summer and Pre-Rut Transition phases before easing into Rut Onset and Primary Rut by late September. Hunters can work sagebrush and riparian cover at lower elevations early on, then follow elk into the sagebrush-and-conifer mid elevations as the rut phases progress. Sitting water sources or glassing open slopes for a spot-and-stalk works well while bulls are still patterned near summer haunts. Any elk is legal on this tag, and archery-only equipment applies across the full August 1 through September 30 window.
A tag · Archery · August 30 – September 30
This A tag archery season opens right at the Pre-Rut Transition and runs through Rut Onset into Primary Rut, so bulls are shifting off summer patterns and becoming more active through the peak of the September rut by the time the season closes. The same tactics apply as elsewhere in the archery season: sit water in the lower sagebrush and riparian cover early, then glass and stalk through mid-elevation sagebrush and conifer as bulls respond to the rut. This tag covers both Unit 76 and Unit 66A, giving archers more ground to work within the Diamond Creek Zone. Any elk is legal, and only archery gear is permitted from August 30 through September 30.
B tag · Any weapon · October 1 – October 15
By this point in the season the rut has passed its peak and elk are in the Late Rut and Early Post-Rut phase, settling into more subdued patterns after the September breeding activity. This tag is antlerless only, so the hunt is about locating cows and calves rather than chasing bulls; working the sagebrush and riparian lower elevations and the sagebrush-conifer mid elevations where elk concentrate gives the best chance of contact. Early October brings modest snowfall and cooling nights, which can nudge animals to begin shifting off the highest ground. The tag is valid only in the designated portion of Unit 76, and any legal weapon may be used for antlerless elk from October 1 through October 15.
Controlled elk 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 76 is valid only in its own hunt area.
| Season | Dates | Legal elk | Resident draw | Rut phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled hunt 76-1X · Any weapon Extra antlerless tag; Private land only | January 1 – January 15 | Antlerless only | Fair odds | — |
| Controlled hunt 76-1X · Any weapon Extra antlerless tag; Private land only | January 16 – January 31 | Antlerless only | Fair odds | — |
| Controlled hunt 66A-1 · Any weapon Motorized Hunting Rule Applies | October 1 – October 14 | Antlered only | Very long odds | Late Rut / Early Post-Rut |
| Controlled hunt 66A-1 · Any weapon Motorized Hunting Rule Applies | October 15 – October 24 | Antlered only | — | Late Rut / Early Post-Rut, Post-Rut Recovery |
| Controlled hunt 76 · Any weapon Motorized Hunting Rule Applies | October 25 – November 15 | Antlerless only | Good odds | Post-Rut Recovery, Migration Transition |
| Controlled hunt 76-1X · Any weapon Extra antlerless tag; Private land only | December 1 – December 31 | Antlerless only | Long odds | Winter Range |
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 76-1X · Any weapon · January 1 – January 15
This January window is an antlerless-only opportunity restricted to private land, falling outside any of the named rut or seasonal phases tracked for this unit. Success here depends entirely on locating access to private ground where elk are wintering, since the hunt is closed to public land. It carries a resident draw band of Fair odds, so it is not a certainty but also not a long shot. Any weapon may be used on this extra antlerless tag from January 1 through January 15.
Controlled hunt 76-1X · Any weapon · January 16 – January 31
Running back-to-back with the earlier January segment, this hunt is another antlerless-only, private-land-only opportunity with no named phase attached to it in this unit. Hunters who draw need to have private land access already lined up, since public ground is off the table for this hunt. The resident draw odds are rated Fair, putting it in the middle of the pack for difficulty among this unit's controlled hunts. Any weapon is legal for antlerless elk from January 16 through January 31.
Controlled hunt 66A-1 · Any weapon · October 1 – October 14
This early segment of the 66A-1 controlled hunt falls in the Late Rut and Early Post-Rut phase, when bull activity is winding down from its September peak but animals have not yet begun serious migration. The Motorized Hunting Rule applies here, so vehicle access is restricted and foot travel through the rolling to moderately steep terrain and mixed sagebrush-conifer cover becomes the primary way to cover ground. This hunt draws for antlered bulls only, and the resident draw is rated Very long odds, making it one of the harder controlled tags to pull in this unit. Light early-October snowfall can start influencing elk movement toward the tail end of this window.
Controlled hunt 66A-1 · Any weapon · October 15 – October 24
The later segment of the 66A-1 hunt spans both the Late Rut/Early Post-Rut phase and the start of Post-Rut Recovery, meaning bulls are further removed from rut behavior and settling into recovery patterns by the close of the season. The Motorized Hunting Rule remains in effect, so hunters are on foot or using non-motorized means to work the timber and sagebrush mix typical of this unit's mid and upper elevations. This is an antlered-only hunt, and October's modest snowfall and cooling temperatures can help push elk activity as the days progress toward the October 24 close.
Controlled hunt 76 · Any weapon · October 25 – November 15
This late-fall antlerless hunt covers the Post-Rut Recovery phase and stretches into the Migration Transition phase, a period when elk begin moving off summer and rut range toward winter areas. Cow and calf groups can be found working through the conifer and sagebrush cover at mid and upper elevations before shifting lower as the season progresses; the Motorized Hunting Rule applies, so access is on foot or by non-motorized means. October's light snow gives way to heavier November snowfall and colder nights by the second half of this window, which can accelerate elk movement toward lower ground. The tag is antlerless only, with a resident draw rated Good odds, and any weapon is legal from October 25 through November 15.
Controlled hunt 76-1X · Any weapon · December 1 – December 31
This December hunt falls squarely in the Winter Range phase, when elk have settled onto lower-elevation wintering ground for the season. It is an antlerless-only, private-land-only tag, so hunters need permission on private ground where wintering elk concentrate rather than relying on public access. Heavy December snowfall and cold nights typically have elk consolidated at lower elevations by this point, which can make locating groups more predictable even though the hunt itself remains challenging to draw, rated Long odds for residents. Any weapon may be used for antlerless elk from December 1 through December 31.
Terrain & elevation
- Elevation
- 5,800–9,900 ft, typically around 6,800 ft
- Slope breakdown
- 46% gentle · 42% moderate · 12% steep · 0% rugged
- Ground you can count on
- ~752 sq mi
- National forests
- Caribou National Forest and 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
- Other cover41%
- Sagebrush31%
- Riparian25%
- Conifer2%
Mid elevations
- Sagebrush67%
- Conifer24%
- Aspen4%
- Riparian4%
- Other cover1%
- Grass and meadow1%
Higher elevations
- Conifer54%
- Sagebrush39%
- Aspen4%
- Grass and meadow2%
Cover classes from the USGS National Land Cover Database. “Other cover” is the remainder — bare ground, water, agriculture and developed land.
Land & access
About 54% of Unit 76 is public land a hunter can generally count on — National Forest, BLM, Idaho state endowment land and State Wildlife Management Area.
- National Forest43%
- BLM7%
- Idaho state endowment land3%
- State Wildlife Management Area<1%
- Unclassified ownership2%
- Private44%
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 78°F, lows around 46°F
- September — highs around 68°F, lows around 38°F
- October — highs around 54°F, lows around 29°F, about 1.2 in of snowfall
- November — highs around 40°F, lows around 20°F, about 11.1 in of snowfall
- December — highs around 30°F, lows around 12°F, about 20.6 in of snowfall
Unit 76 elk hunting FAQ
Can a resident buy an elk tag for Unit 76 over the counter?
Yes, residents buy general elk tags for the Diamond Creek Elk Zone, which includes Unit 76, over the counter with no draw or application required. They still choose between the zone's A tag or B tag based on which season and weapon they prefer. Both tags are capped and sold first-come, first-served until they run out.
How do nonresidents get a general elk tag for Unit 76?
Nonresidents cannot simply buy a general tag; they must apply through a random draw for the Diamond Creek Elk Zone. When applying, they select a specific tag, either the zone's A tag or B tag, since the tag choice is made at the time of application rather than after the draw. Both tags are limited in number and capped for the season.
How hard are the controlled hunts in Unit 76 to draw?
Difficulty varies widely by hunt. Controlled hunt 76 in late October through mid-November carries Good odds for residents, the January segments of hunt 76-1X are rated Fair odds, the December segment of 76-1X is rated Long odds, and the early October segment of controlled hunt 66A-1 is rated Very long odds.
Which elk zone and tags cover Unit 76?
Unit 76 lies within the Diamond Creek Elk Zone, shared with Unit 66A for general season tags. The zone offers an A tag and a B tag, each with its own season and weapon restrictions, and a hunter must choose one rather than hunting both.
How much of Unit 76 is public land a hunter can count on?
About 54 percent of the unit, roughly 752 square miles, is generally open to public hunting across National Forest, BLM, state endowment, and Wildlife Management Area land. That figure includes Caribou National Forest and Targhee National Forest ground, though state endowment parcels can occasionally be closed or leased. The remaining land is roughly 44 percent private, requiring written permission, plus a small unclassified share.
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.