Idaho GMU 56
Strategic hunting data, boundary maps, and published IDFG season dates for Game Management Unit 56.
Unit 56 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 56 (GMU 56) is in the South Hills Elk Zone. Season records in this guide list 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 38.8% of Unit 56 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.
Listed agency shares total 89.98%; 10.02% is not itemized in this breakdown.
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 56 records is Aug 15. Each species, tag, weapon, and hunt area has its own dates and restrictions below.
EElk Seasons
- GeneralArcheryGeneral A TagAntlerless or Antlered · Area Units 55, 56 and 57Season Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral B TagAntlerlessSeason Dates
MMule and White-tailed Deer Seasons
- GeneralArcheryGeneral ArcheryAntlerless or AntleredSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponAntleredSeason Dates
PPronghorn Antelope Seasons
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Landowner Permission Required Extra Doe or FawnDoe or Fawn · Hunt 4603 · 50 permits · Area Private land in Units 46, 47, 54, 55, 56 and 57Season Dates
Harvest Trends & Success
Harvest statistics for Unit 56
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 56 Boundary
Those portions of CASSIA, ONEIDA, and POWER COUNTIES within the following boundary: beginning at the Yale Road-Interstate 84 junction, then northwest on Interstate 84 to Interstate 86, then east on Interstate 86 to State Highway 37, then south on State Highway 37 to Holbrook, then south on the HolbrookStone Road to the Idaho-Utah State line, then west on the state line to Interstate 84, then northwest on Interstate 84 to the point of beginning.
South Hills Zone Context
Southern Idaho — South Hills
The South Hills zone groups Units 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, and 57 in southern Idaho. The elk zone includes more than a single recreation destination named South Hills. Compare the included unit boundaries before choosing a Twin Falls-area or other southern Idaho approach.
Choose your fuel and supplies after identifying the unit and route. Confirm current road and weather conditions instead of assuming southern Idaho roads remain passable for longer than mountain routes.
See all units in the South Hills ZoneCommon Questions About Unit 56
Where is Idaho GMU 56?
Unit 56 sits in the South Hills Elk Zone. The landscape is predominantly sage steppe/mountain, requiring appropriate gear and preparation.
What species can I hunt in Unit 56?
Unit 56 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 56?
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 56 mostly public land?
Unit 56 is approximately 38.8% public (mostly private). Public-land share is not parcel-level access permission; verify ownership boundaries, legal routes, and closures before entering.
Other Units in the South Hills Zone
Before hunting Unit 56
- 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 56. 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.