Idaho GMU 36
Strategic hunting data, boundary maps, and published IDFG season dates for Game Management Unit 36.
Unit 36 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 36 (GMU 36) is in the Sawtooth Elk Zone. Season records in this guide list Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn Antelope, White-tailed Deer. This unit features high-elevation rugged terrain, requiring physical preparation and optics for cross-canyon spotting. About 96.7% of Unit 36 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 36 records is Apr 15. Each species, tag, weapon, and hunt area has its own dates and restrictions below.
EElk Seasons
- GeneralArcheryGeneral A TagAntlerless or Antlered · Area Units 33, 34, 35 and 36Season Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntlerlessAntlerless · Hunt 2076 · 100 permits · Area 36-1Season Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Outfitter AllocatedAntlerless · Hunt 2181 · 6 permits · Area 36-1Season Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral B TagAntlered · Area Units 33, 34, 35 and 36Season 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
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 1025 · 5 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Outfitter AllocatedAntlered · Hunt 1165 · 1 permitsSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponAntleredSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponAntlerlessSeason Dates
PPronghorn Antelope Seasons
- ControlledArcheryControlled Hunt ArcheryBucks Only · Hunt 4029 · 99999 permits · Area 36-1Season Dates
Harvest Trends & Success
Harvest statistics for Unit 36
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 36 Boundary
Those portions of BLAINE and CUSTER COUNTIES within the Salmon River drainage upstream from and including the Yankee Fork on the north side of the river, and upstream from, and including the Warm Springs, Treon, Cold, and Beaver Creek drainages on the south side of the Salmon River, and including the Marsh Creek drainage of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Sawtooth Zone Context
Central Idaho — Sawtooth Range
The Sawtooth elk zone groups Units 33, 34, 35, and 36. The hunting zone is a regulatory grouping, not a synonym for every recreation destination associated with the Sawtooth name. Use the included unit boundaries to check a planned Stanley-area or forest-road approach.
Choose your staging town after locating the particular unit and trailhead. Check the forecast, elevation, authorized vehicle routes, and any wilderness segment before deciding how far you can travel in a day.
See all units in the Sawtooth ZoneCommon Questions About Unit 36
Where is Idaho GMU 36?
Unit 36 sits in the Sawtooth Elk Zone. The landscape is predominantly mountain/foothill, requiring appropriate gear and preparation.
What species can I hunt in Unit 36?
Unit 36 season records list Black Bear, 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 36?
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 36 mostly public land?
Unit 36 is approximately 96.7% 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 Sawtooth Zone
Before hunting Unit 36
- 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 36. 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.