Where is Idaho GMU 1 located?

Idaho GMU 1 is situated in the Panhandle Elk Zone. The terrain is predominantly dense forest.

What animals can you hunt in Unit 1?

Key species in Unit 1 include Deer, White-tailed Deer, Elk, Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Gray Wolf. Always check current regulations for open seasons.

Is Unit 1 beginner friendly?

Yes, the high percentage of public land makes it accessible given the dense forest terrain.

Idaho
Unit 1.

Planning guide for Game Management Unit 1, with sourced terrain, public-land percentages, published schedules, and links to the connected Pro map.

3D topographic map preview for Idaho Hunting Unit

Boundary Map Locked

Pro includes the interactive GMU map, BLM surface-management context, terrain tools, and current wildfire overlays for Unit 1.

See Pro pricing

TerrainDense Forest

OwnershipLand breakdown unavailable

Access DifficultySee IDFG

Key SpeciesBlack Bear

Season TypeGeneral & Controlled

ZonePanhandle

Idaho Game Management Unit 1 (GMU 1) is a premier hunting destination located in the Panhandle Elk Zone. Home to Black Bear, Deer, Elk, Gray Wolf, Mountain Lion, White-tailed Deer, this unit features dense conifer and timber country, where still-hunting and short-range glassing dominate. Public-land breakdown for Unit 1 is not yet integrated into our database — verify acreage with Idaho Fish and Game's Hunt Planner before scouting.

2026 Regular Schedule

Official Regulation Feed

Species

Weapon

Tag

Dates

Deer

Any Weapon • Regular Deer Tag

Any Weapon

Regular Deer Tag

Oct 10 - Oct 31

Deer

Any Weapon • Regular Deer Tag

Any Weapon

Regular Deer Tag

Nov 1 - Nov 14

Deer

Any Weapon • Regular Deer Tag

Any Weapon

Regular Deer Tag

Nov 15 - Dec 1

Deer

Any Weapon • Regular Deer Tag

Any Weapon

Regular Deer Tag

Oct 10 - Dec 1

Deer

Archery • Regular Deer Tag

Archery

Regular Deer Tag

Aug 30 - Sep 30

Deer

Archery • Regular Deer Tag

Archery

Regular Deer Tag

Dec 10 - Dec 24

Deer

Archery • Regular Deer Tag

Archery

Regular Deer Tag

Aug 30 - Sep 30

Deer

Archery • Regular Deer Tag

Archery

Regular Deer Tag

Dec 10 - Dec 24

White-tailed Deer

Any Weapon • White-tailed Deer Tag

Any Weapon

White-tailed Deer Tag

Oct 10 - Dec 1

White-tailed Deer

Archery • White-tailed Deer Tag

Archery

White-tailed Deer Tag

Aug 30 - Sep 30

White-tailed Deer

Archery • White-tailed Deer Tag

Archery

White-tailed Deer Tag

Dec 10 - Dec 24

Elk

Archery • A Tag

Archery

A Tag

Sep 15 - Sep 21

Elk

Archery • A Tag

Archery

A Tag

Aug 30 - Sep 30

Elk

Any Weapon • A Tag

Any Weapon

A Tag

Oct 25 - Oct 29

Elk

Archery • A Tag

Archery

A Tag

Dec 10 - Dec 16

Elk

Muzzleloader • A Tag

Muzzleloader

A Tag

Dec 2 - Dec 8

Elk

Archery • B Tag

Archery

B Tag

Sep 6 - Sep 12

Elk

Any Weapon • B Tag

Any Weapon

B Tag

Oct 10 - Oct 24

Black Bear

Any Weapon • General

Any Weapon

General

Aug 30 - Oct 31

Black Bear

Any Weapon • General

Any Weapon

General

Apr 15 - June 15

Mountain Lion

Any Weapon • General

Any Weapon

General

July 1 - June 30

Gray Wolf

Any Weapon • General

Any Weapon

General

July 1 - June 30

Gray Wolf

Any Weapon • General

Any Weapon

General

July 1 - June 30

Gray Wolf

Trapping • General

Trapping

General

Dec 1 - Feb 28

Prepare for the Hunt

Success in Unit 1 requires understanding the dense forest terrain and public land boundaries. Use Roam Idaho for connected trip planning, then carry an official offline map before leaving service.

GMU Boundary Overlay
BLM Surface-management Context
Current Wildfire Overlay
Slope, Road, and Wind Tools

See Pro pricing

Common Questions

Where is Unit 1?

Located in the Panhandle Zone with dense forest terrain.

Is it public land?

Unit 1 is approximately 70.7% public. See full breakdown below.

Land Ownership

USFS52.24%

Private29.19%

State15.64%

Other2.09%

BLM0.73%

Tribal0.1%

Source: IDFG Hunt Planner · Inside Idaho

Unit 1 Boundary

All of BOUNDARY COUNTY and that portion of BONNER COUNTY north of the Pend Oreille River, Pend Oreille Lake and Clark Fork River.

Source: IDFG 2026 Big Game Seasons & Rules

Panhandle Zone Context

Northern Idaho

The Panhandle covers Idaho's northernmost units — heavy cedar and hemlock forest, abundant whitetail, and a more diverse big-game mix than most of the state. Elk densities here are lower than central Idaho, but tag draws are easier and access is comparatively forgiving.

Wet weather is constant; waterproof boots and rain gear matter more here than almost anywhere in Idaho. Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, and St. Maries are the primary supply points.

See all units in the Panhandle Zone

Planning

Primary Region

Panhandle

Nearest Supplies

Hunters typically basecamp or resupply in Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Coeur d'Alene.

Climate Outlook

Moist, heavy mountainous timber. Expect significant snowfall in late season.

Authorities

Always verify regulations with official government entities before heading into the backcountry.

Idaho Panhandle National Forests IDFG Big Game Regulations Idaho BLM Office

Explore Panhandle Zone Units

Unit 4A Unit 2 Unit 4 Unit 3 Unit 5 Unit 6 View Master Directory

Season dates and tag rules sourced from Idaho Fish and Game proclamations. Original IDFG entry for Unit 1: view source.

Northern Idaho

Wet weather is constant; waterproof boots and rain gear matter more here than almost anywhere in Idaho. Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, and St. Maries are the primary supply points.

See all units in the Panhandle Zone

Idaho Unit 1.

Boundary Map Locked

Unit 1 Overview

2026 Regular Schedule

Prepare for the Hunt

Common Questions

Unit 1 Boundary

Northern Idaho

Planning

Authorities

Explore Panhandle Zone Units

Idaho Unit 1.

Boundary Map Locked

Unit 1 Overview

2026 Regular Schedule

Prepare for the Hunt

Common Questions

Unit 1 Boundary

Northern Idaho

Planning

Authorities

Explore Panhandle Zone Units

Idaho
Unit 1.

Idaho
Unit 1.