Loading intel...
Island Park Elk Zone
Idaho GMU 61
Strategic hunting data, boundary maps, and 2026 season dates for Game Management Unit 61.
Updated for 2026 Season
TerrainHigh Desert/Basin
OwnershipLand breakdown unavailable
Access DifficultySee IDFG
Key SpeciesBlack Bear
Season TypeGeneral & Controlled
ZoneIsland Park
Unit 61 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 61 (GMU 61) is a premier hunting destination located in the Island Park Elk Zone. Home to Black Bear, Deer, Elk, Gray Wolf, Mountain Lion, White-tailed Deer, this unit features open sagebrush steppe, where stalking prowess and early morning glassing are critical. Public-land breakdown for Unit 61 is not yet integrated into our database — verify acreage with Idaho Fish and Game's Hunt Planner before scouting.
Application Strategy
PremiumHow to Draw Unit 61
Unlock our detailed application strategy guide, including draw odds analysis, point creep predictions, and underrated seasonal opportunities for Unit 61.
Unlock Full AnalysisDraw Odds
Maps
Tactics
2026 Regular Schedule
Seasons in Unit 61 typically begin in Oct 10.
There are 14 confirmed seasons in Unit 61.
View Full ScheduleHarvest Data Coming Soon
We're currently digitizing 2023-2025 harvest reports and draw odds for Unit 61. Check back shortly for deep-dive analytics.
Data Pipeline Active
Unit 61 Boundary
Those portions of CLARK and FREMONT COUNTIES within the following boundary: beginning at the junction of Old Highway 91 and Interstate 15 (at Spencer), then east to and then east on Spencer-Kilgore Road to Idmon, then east on old (south) Shotgun Valley Road to U.S. 191, then south on U.S. 191 to State Highway 47, then southeast on State Highway 47 to North Hatchery Butte Road, then east on North Hatchery Butte Road to Pineview, then north on Pineview-Island Park Road to Baker Draw-Black Mountain Springs Road, then east on Baker Draw-Black Mountain Springs Road to Fish Creek Road, then south on Fish Creek Road to the North Fork of Partridge Creek, then upstream to the Yellowstone Park boundary, then north along the Yellowstone Park boundary to the Idaho-Montana State line, then west to Monida Pass, then south on Interstate 15 to the point of beginning.
Island Park Zone Context
Eastern Idaho — Yellowstone Plateau
Island Park sits in the Henrys Fork caldera on the western edge of Yellowstone, with rolling lodgepole timber, vast meadow systems, and grizzly-country protocols. Elk move heavily between Yellowstone's western boundary and the Targhee, making this one of Idaho's most pressured but high-density zones during the rut.
Roads stay drivable from June through October. Bear-aware camping, secure food storage, and bear spray are standard. Rexburg, Ashton, and Island Park itself are the practical staging towns.
See all units in the Island Park ZoneCommon Questions About Unit 61
Where is Idaho GMU 61?
Unit 61 sits in the Island Park Elk Zone. The landscape is predominantly high desert/basin, requiring appropriate gear and preparation.
What species can I hunt in Unit 61?
Unit 61 has open seasons for Deer, White-tailed Deer, Elk, Black Bear, Mountain Lion. Confirm season dates and weapon legality with Idaho Fish and Game before applying or buying tags.
Are offline maps useful in GMU 61?
Yes. Cell service is often limited or non-existent in the core hunting areas of Unit 61. Having saved offline maps is critical for safety and staying on legal ground.
Is Unit 61 mostly public land?
Unit 61 is approximately 82.4% public (mostly public). That gives DIY hunters meaningful range for scouting and stalking without trespass risk.
Land Ownership Breakdown
USFS70.88%
Private17.4%
State5.72%
BLM4.98%
Other0.86%
Source: IDFG Hunt Planner · Inside Idaho.
Other Units in the Island Park Zone
Season and regulatory information sourced from Idaho Fish and Game proclamations. Land ownership data compiled from public records. Maps generated by Roam Idaho.
Terrain Breakdown
Key Insight
Predominantly High Desert/Basin
Prepare for steep elevation and spot-and-stalk tactics.
See terrain map
Land Access
Access Intel
Mostly Public
Great for DIY roaming.
Land Ownership Map
Sign in to see public/private breakdown
Species Guides
Hunted in Unit 61. Tap a species for full strategy.
Pro Tip
Save this unit to your dashboard to get offline maps and real-time fire updates.