Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
Mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas, occur in Idaho's mountainous country. Planning a hunt requires checking the current season, allowed methods, identification restrictions, and mandatory harvest check. Tracks or a sighting are useful scouting observations, but they do not establish that an animal may legally be taken.
Units to Research
10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 20A, 21 +10 more
Tag Types
Mountain Lion Tag
Season Overview
Mountain lion dates and hound-use restrictions are listed by unit in the current IDFG big game brochure. Review those ta...
Habitat & Range
Mountain-lion scouting can involve rocky terrain, cover, and travel routes used by deer and elk. Snow tracks can help identify recent activity. No region-level summary establishes current lion abundance or a legal harvest opportunity.
Season Details
Mountain lion dates and hound-use restrictions are listed by unit in the current IDFG big game brochure. Review those tables before hunting. Successful hunters must complete the IDFG in-person harvest check within 10 days of the kill, presenting the skull and hide with evidence of sex attached.
View Official IDFG RegulationsKey Dates & Costs
Exact season windows and tag costs vary by zone and tag type. Verify current dates and resident/non-resident fees directly with IDFG before purchasing.
Hunting Tips
- 1If considering hounds, first check unit and seasonal restrictions and the applicable permit requirements
- 2Look for fresh tracks in snow for spot-and-stalk opportunities
- 3Lions are most active at dawn and dusk
- 4Hunt areas with high deer/elk populations
- 5Glass rocky outcrops and rim edges where lions sun themselves
Recommended Gear
- Flat-shooting rifle (.243, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270, etc.)
- Quality binoculars for glassing
- GPS for backcountry navigation
- Snow tracking skills (or hire a guide with hounds)
Build Your Mountain Lion Hunt Plan
- Match the hunt to your tag. Open the current species rules and check the hunt area, dates, animal restrictions and permitted method. A unit appearing in this guide does not mean every tag is valid there.
- Research a unit before picking a route. Use the unit directory to compare published season records, available boundaries and source links. Check the year and coverage of any harvest or draw figures.
- Verify how you will enter and leave. Review land-access planning, current agency travel maps and closures. Public ownership alone does not establish a legal approach route or motorized access.
- Plan the pack-out and reporting. Decide how you will cool and transport meat, communicate and return if conditions change. Check species-specific harvest reporting and inspection requirements before departure; prepare an equipment list for your actual terrain and weather.
Official Sources for This Guide
The links below support the rules discussed here. Review the current agency publication and any emergency changes for the hunt you choose.