Idaho GMU 42
Strategic hunting data, boundary maps, and published IDFG season dates for Game Management Unit 42.
Unit 42 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 42 (GMU 42) is in the Owyhee Elk Zone. Season records in this guide list Elk, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer. This unit features open sagebrush steppe, where stalking prowess and early morning glassing are critical. About 95.7% of Unit 42 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 42 records is Aug 30. Each species, tag, weapon, and hunt area has its own dates and restrictions below.
EElk Seasons
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 2018 · 15 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Outfitter AllocatedAntlered · Hunt 2191 · 1 permitsSeason Dates
MMule and White-tailed Deer Seasons
- GeneralArcheryGeneral ArcheryTwo-PointSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponTwo-PointSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 1033 · 50 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Outfitter AllocatedAntlered · Hunt 1170 · 1 permitsSeason Dates
Harvest Trends & Success
Harvest statistics for Unit 42
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 42 Boundary
That portion of OWYHEE COUNTY within the following boundary: beginning on the North Fork of the Owyhee River at the Idaho-Oregon state line, south along the state line to the Idaho-Nevada state line, then east along the state line to the El Paso Natural Gas Pipeline, then north along the pipeline to the watershed divide between Battle and Jacks Creeks, then northwest along the divide between Battle, Shoofly, and Poison Creeks to the Mud Flat-Juniper Mountain Road, then west on Poison Creek-Mud Flat Road to the North Fork of the Owyhee River crossing, then downstream to the point of beginning.
Owyhee Zone Context
Southwest Idaho — Owyhee Canyonlands
The Owyhee zone groups Units 40, 41, and 42 in southwest Idaho. Canyon-and-rim country creates long approaches even where a map shows a short straight-line distance. Compare unit boundaries, road access, and ownership before choosing a remote camp.
Consider Marsing, Bruneau, or Jordan Valley in Oregon when arranging supplies, according to your route. Verify fuel availability, carry drinking water, and check any cross-state travel or game-transport requirements.
See all units in the Owyhee ZoneCommon Questions About Unit 42
Where is Idaho GMU 42?
Unit 42 sits in the Owyhee Elk Zone. The landscape is predominantly high desert/canyon, requiring appropriate gear and preparation.
What species can I hunt in Unit 42?
Unit 42 season records list 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 42?
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 42 mostly public land?
Unit 42 is approximately 95.7% 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 Owyhee Zone
Before hunting Unit 42
- 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 42. 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.