Idaho GMU 15
Strategic hunting data, boundary maps, and published IDFG season dates for Game Management Unit 15.
Unit 15 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 15 (GMU 15) is in the Elk City Elk Zone. Season records in this guide list Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer. This unit features high-elevation rugged terrain, requiring physical preparation and optics for cross-canyon spotting. About 92.8% of Unit 15 is mapped as public land. This is not parcel-level access authorization; verify boundaries, closures, and legal access before entering.
Landscape Analysis
Surface Management
Agency shares from IDFG Hunt Planner; this is not parcel-level access authorization.
2026 season dates, from Idaho Fish and Game
Pulled from the IDFG Hunt Planner API (2026). Idaho re-issues seasons each year and corrects its own systems between editions, so Idaho Fish and Game remains the sole authority for legal dates, tags and restrictions. Confirm before you hunt.
Check the IDFG Hunt PlannerPublished Season Schedule
The earliest opening in our Unit 15 records is Apr 15. Each species, tag, weapon, and hunt area has its own dates and restrictions below.
EElk Seasons
- GeneralArcheryGeneral A TagAntlered · Area Units 15, 16Season Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral B TagAntlered · Area Units 14, 15 and 16Season Dates
WWhite-tailed Deer Seasons
- ControlledArcheryControlled Hunt Extra AntlerlessAntlerless · Hunt 1130 · 100 permits · Area 15-1XSeason Dates
- GeneralArcheryGeneral ArcheryAntlerless or AntleredSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponAntlerless or AntleredSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Extra AntlerlessAntlerless · Hunt 1130 · 100 permits · Area 15-1XSeason Dates
- GeneralArcheryGeneral ArcheryAntlerless or AntleredSeason Dates
BBlack Bear Seasons
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponEither-sexSeason Dates
- GeneralDog TrainingGeneral Any WeaponEither-sexSeason Dates
MMule and White-tailed Deer Seasons
- GeneralArcheryGeneral ArcheryAntlerless or AntleredSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponAntlerless or AntleredSeason Dates
Harvest Trends & Success
Harvest statistics for Unit 15
Seven seasons of hunter counts, harvest totals and success rates, broken out by weapon — straight from Idaho Fish and Game.
Controlled Hunt Draw Odds
Draw odds for every hunt in this unit
Resident and nonresident draw odds, permits offered, and applicant counts for the 2026 Idaho controlled hunt drawings.
Unit 15 Boundary
That portion of IDAHO COUNTY within the following boundary: beginning at Grangeville on State Highway 13, then northeast on State Highway 13 to the South Fork of the Clearwater River, then downstream to the road along Sally Ann Creek, then along the road to the town of Clearwater, then southeast along Forest Service Road 284 to Forest Service Road 464, then east along Forest Service Road 464 to the watershed divide between the South Fork Clearwater and Selway Rivers, then southeast along the divide over Forest Service Trail 835 to Anderson Butte, then south over Forest Service Trail 505 to Black Hawk Mountain and Soda Creek Point to Montana Road (Forest Service Road 468), then west on Montana Road to the Red River Ranger Station-Mackay Bar Road (Forest Service Road 222) then southwest on Red River Ranger Station-Mackay Bar Road to Dixie Summit, then west along the watershed divide between the South Fork Clearwater and Salmon Rivers over the Crooked River-Big Creek Divide, Orogrande Summit and Square Mountain to Moores Guard Station-Adams Ranger Station Road (Forest Service Road 444), then west on Moores Guard Station-Adams Ranger Station Road to Grangeville-Salmon River Road (Forest Service Road 221), then north on Grangeville-Salmon River Road to the point of beginning.
Elk City Zone Context
North-Central Idaho — Clearwater National Forest
The Elk City zone groups Units 14, 15, and 16 in north-central Idaho. Use the unit pages to compare their boundaries and published seasons rather than assuming this zone shares the same tag rules as neighboring Selway or Lolo country.
If staging from Elk City, confirm fuel, supplies, and the current condition of your approach road before departure. Snow, fire closures, and maintenance can change access; a seasonal opening date is not guaranteed.
See all units in the Elk City ZoneCommon Questions About Unit 15
Where is Idaho GMU 15?
Unit 15 sits in the Elk City Elk Zone. The landscape is predominantly rugged mountains, requiring appropriate gear and preparation.
What species can I hunt in Unit 15?
Unit 15 season records list Black Bear, White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Elk. Confirm current dates and weapon legality with Idaho Fish and Game before applying or buying tags.
Are offline maps useful in GMU 15?
Plan for gaps in cell service. Roam Idaho's current web map requires a connection, so download an official offline map or carry a paper map before entering the field.
Is Unit 15 mostly public land?
Unit 15 is approximately 92.8% public (mostly public). Public-land share is not parcel-level access permission; verify ownership boundaries, legal routes, and closures before entering.
Other Units in the Elk City Zone
Before hunting Unit 15
- Compare Idaho season and tag planning information against the specific hunt number and species you intend to pursue.
- Review public-land access and land-manager resources to check entry routes, road restrictions, and closures.
- Use the backcountry hunting preparation guide to plan navigation, weather protection, and the trip back out.
Terrain Breakdown
Included with Roam Pro — $3/month, 7-day free trial.
Land Access
Species associated with Unit 15. Open a guide for habitat, timing, and regulation context.
Field Reminder
Use this page and the connected map for planning, then carry an official offline map and confirm current seasons, closures, and access before heading out.