Idaho GMU 59A
Strategic hunting data, boundary maps, and published IDFG season dates for Game Management Unit 59A.
Unit 59A Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 59A (GMU 59A) is in the Beaverhead Elk Zone. Season records in this guide list Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn Antelope, White-tailed Deer. This unit features open sagebrush steppe, where stalking prowess and early morning glassing are critical. About 84.4% of Unit 59A 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 99.32%; 0.68% 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 59A records is Apr 15. Each species, tag, weapon, and hunt area has its own dates and restrictions below.
EElk Seasons
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral A TagAntlerless · Area Portion of Units 58, 59 and 59ASeason Dates
- GeneralArcheryGeneral A TagAntlerless or Antlered · Area Units 30, 30A, 58, 59 and 59ASeason Dates
- GeneralMuzzleloaderGeneral A TagAntlerless · Area Units 30, 30A, 58, 59 and 59ASeason Dates
WWhite-tailed Deer Seasons
- GeneralArcheryGeneral ArcheryAntlerless or AntleredSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponAntlerless or AntleredSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponAntlerless 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 ArcheryAntleredSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponAntleredSeason Dates
PPronghorn Antelope Seasons
- ControlledArcheryControlled Hunt ArcheryBucks Only · Hunt 4040 · 99999 permits · Area 59A-1Season Dates
Harvest Trends & Success
Harvest statistics for Unit 59A
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 59A Boundary
Those portions of CLARK, JEFFERSON, and LEMHI COUNTIES within the following boundary: beginning at Bannock Pass (Clark County) on the Idaho-Montana State line, then west along the state line to the watershed divide between Birch and Crooked Creeks, then south along the divide through Reno Point to State Highway 22, then east on State Highway 22 to Medicine Lodge Road, then north on Medicine Lodge Road to the point of beginning.
Beaverhead Zone Context
East-Central Idaho — Continental Divide
The Beaverhead zone groups Units 30, 30A, 58, 59, and 59A in eastern Idaho near the Montana boundary. Compare the included units and legal hunt descriptions when planning travel along the Continental Divide; crossing a state line changes the applicable hunting rules.
Consider Salmon or Leadore when arranging Idaho supplies, according to the route. If using a Montana approach, verify both states' travel, hunting, and game-transport requirements.
See all units in the Beaverhead ZoneCommon Questions About Unit 59A
Where is Idaho GMU 59A?
Unit 59A sits in the Beaverhead Elk Zone. The landscape is predominantly high desert/basin, requiring appropriate gear and preparation.
What species can I hunt in Unit 59A?
Unit 59A season records list Black Bear, Elk, White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer. Confirm current dates and weapon legality with Idaho Fish and Game before applying or buying tags.
Are offline maps useful in GMU 59A?
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 59A mostly public land?
Unit 59A is approximately 84.4% 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 Beaverhead Zone
Before hunting Unit 59A
- 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 59A. 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.