Idaho GMU 48
Strategic hunting data, boundary maps, and published IDFG season dates for Game Management Unit 48.
Unit 48 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 48 (GMU 48) is in the Smoky - Bennett 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 83.3% of Unit 48 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 48 records is Apr 15. Each species, tag, weapon, and hunt area has its own dates and restrictions below.
EElk Seasons
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntlerlessAntlerless · Hunt 2089 · 25 permits · Area 48-3Season Dates
- GeneralArcheryGeneral A TagAntlerless or Antlered · Area Units 43, 48Season Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 2026 · 20 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 2027 · 150 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntlerlessAntlerless · Hunt 2087 · 175 permits · Area 48-1Season Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntlerlessAntlerless · Hunt 2088 · 150 permits · Area 48-2Season Dates
- ControlledMuzzleloaderControlled Hunt MuzzleloaderAntlerless or Antlered · Hunt 2137 · 75 permitsSeason 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 WeaponAntleredSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 1038 · 10 permitsSeason Dates
Harvest Trends & Success
Harvest statistics for Unit 48
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 48 Boundary
That portion of BLAINE COUNTY within the following boundary: beginning at Ketchum, then south on State Highway 75 to U.S. 20, then west on U.S. 20 then west on U.S. 20 to the County Line Road, then north on County Line Road, to and then northeast on Camp Creek Road, to and then northeast on Croy Creek Road to Kelly Gulch Creek, then up Kelly Gulch Creek to the Big Wood River-Camas Idah Creek-South Fork of the Boise River watershed divide, then north, east, and south around the headwaters of the Big Wood River to Trail Creek Road, then southwest on Trail Creek Road to Ketchum, the point of beginning.
Smoky - Bennett Zone Context
South-Central Idaho — Smoky Mountains
The Smoky-Bennett zone groups Units 43, 44, 45, 48, and 52 in south-central Idaho. This is a separate elk zone from Sawtooth and Pioneer. Use the unit pages to check which boundaries and season records match a Fairfield-area or mountain-road plan.
Consider Fairfield when arranging supplies, according to your route. Check road length, current condition, and legal motorized use before relying on a mountain approach for a day hunt.
See all units in the Smoky - Bennett ZoneCommon Questions About Unit 48
Where is Idaho GMU 48?
Unit 48 sits in the Smoky - Bennett Elk Zone. The landscape is predominantly sage steppe/mountain, requiring appropriate gear and preparation.
What species can I hunt in Unit 48?
Unit 48 season records list Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer. Confirm current dates and weapon legality with Idaho Fish and Game before applying or buying tags.
Are offline maps useful in GMU 48?
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 48 mostly public land?
Unit 48 is approximately 83.3% 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 Smoky - Bennett Zone
Before hunting Unit 48
- 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 48. 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.