20 licensed outfitters guide elk hunts in Southwest Region. Season dates below come from the Idaho wildlife agency; license status comes from the body that issued it.
Idaho elk season dates
| Season Type | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | August 30, 2026 | September 30, 2026 | General archery-only elk season in most zones (A tag in most zones; some zones any-elk, some antlered only). Archery permit required. Beginning in 2026 nonresident general deer and elk tags are issued by random draw. |
| General Rifle | October 10, 2026 | October 24, 2026 | Any-weapon antlered elk season for B tags in the Panhandle, Palouse and Elk City zones shown. Other zones vary: Lolo and Dworshak Oct. 10-Nov. 3; Selway and Middle Fork Oct. 1-31; Salmon and Sawtooth Oct. 15-Nov. 8; McCall Oct. 15-Nov. 3; Weiser River Oct. 25-Nov. 3; Palisades and Tex Creek Oct. 15-21. Check the zone table for your tag. |
| Muzzleloader | November 15, 2026 | December 1, 2026 | Panhandle Zone A tag muzzleloader-only antlered elk season (Units 4, 7 and 9) shown. Muzzleloader seasons vary widely by zone: Dworshak Dec. 2-14; Bannock and Bear River Dec. 1-31 (antlerless); Beaverhead Oct. 15-31 (antlerless); Lemhi Nov. 25-Dec. 9. Muzzleloader permit required. |
2026-2027 seasonVerified against Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2026 Big Game, 2026-2027 Upland Game and Turkey, 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird, and 2025-2026 Moose, Sheep and Goat Seasons and Rules on September 5, 2026.Source: idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/seasons-rules-big-game-20 … Confirm dates in the current regulations before you hunt.
Elk outfitters in Southwest Region
With over 20 years of expertise, we provide guided elk, deer, bear, and lion hunts that showcase the raw beauty and untamed nature of Idaho's backcountry.
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds
Big game hunting outfitter in north central Idaho.
Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds
Idaho Outfitter Guiding Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Lion, & Black Bear Hunts, We also have Trail Rides & Summer Pack Trips in Idaho's West Central Mountains.
Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Wolf
Chamberlain Basin Outfitters
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Wolf
Idaho Elk Hunting, Mule Deer Hunting, Mnt. Lion Hunting, Bear Hunting and more.
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Wolf
We operate the Flying B Ranch on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, and Root Ranch in the Chamberlain Basin. Hunting GMUs 20A-26-27 and a very small piece of 28. We provide access and outfitting services for drop camps, lodge hunts and spike camps. We do not …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Wolf
Full service outfitter offering Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Bear, Lion and Upland Bird hunts in Units 23, 18 and 22.
Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Whitetail Deer
Hells Canyon Outfitters is licensed to hunt in The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, the Nez Perce and Payette National forests. Our Exclusive Outfitting area includes over 300 square miles of some of the best big game hunting territory that North America …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Whitetail Deer · Wolf
Enjoy a true wilderness experience with backcountry adventure in the heart of Idaho’s Frank Church wilderness, with our incredible guides and amazing scenery. We offer full-service 7-day hunts for Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Mule Deer and Bear/Wolf--supported by horse …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Wolf
IDAHO WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS LLC
Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Wolf
Juniper Mountain Outfitters
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Pronghorn · Wolf
Owyhee Mountain Outiffters
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Pronghorn · Upland Birds · Wolf
OWYHEE OUTFITTERS LLC
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Pronghorn · Upland Birds · Wolf
Rugged Ridge is a big game hunting outfit operating in north-central Idaho. Offering elk, mule deer, black bear, and mountain lion back country hunts. Rugged Ridge also offers Rifle and Archery hunts.
Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer
We are located on the iconic Salmon River. For Spring bear hunts, you'll go out on a jet boat every day and sleep at the lodge each night. Our Fall hunts will find you on horseback and a wall tent in the Frank Church Wilderness. Our hunts are all-inclusive. …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Wolf
Sawtooth Wilderness Outfitters is the exclusive licensed outfitter to hunt bear, wolf, lion, deer and elk in an area of over 250 square miles in central Idaho, allowing us to offer hunts for both the first time hunter and the experienced trophy hunter, all in …
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Wolf
Idaho's premier outfitter of the Frank Church Wilderness. Specializing in first class mountain hunting adventures for elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bear, wolf, and bighorn sheep.
Bighorn Sheep · Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mountain Goat · Mountain Lion · Mule Deer · Upland Birds · Wolf
20 licensed outfittersLicense status verified against Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, member directory on September 5, 2026.Source: ioga.org/adventure-finder Confirm an outfitter’s license with the issuing board before you book.
Before you book
- Confirm the outfitter’s license is current — every listing links to the issuing body’s own record.
- Ask which hunt areas they operate in, and whether an elk tag there is draw-only or over the counter.
- All outfitters in Southwest Region
- Idaho elk hunting outfitters
For reference only. This page summarizes agency publications and is not legal advice or an official source; confirm dates, limits and fees with the state wildlife agency before you hunt. Regulations change mid-season. Send a correction if you spot an error. Disclaimer.