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Idaho
Unit 15.
Planning guide for Game Management Unit 15, with sourced terrain, public-land percentages, published schedules, and links to the connected Pro map.
Boundary Map Locked
Pro includes the interactive GMU map, BLM surface-management context, terrain tools, and current wildfire overlays for Unit 15.
See Pro pricingTerrainRugged Mountains
OwnershipLand breakdown unavailable
Access DifficultySee IDFG
Key SpeciesBlack Bear
Season TypeGeneral & Controlled
ZoneElk City
Unit 15 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 15 (GMU 15) is a premier hunting destination located in the Elk City Elk Zone. Home to Black Bear, Deer, Elk, Gray Wolf, Mountain Lion, White-tailed Deer, this unit features high-elevation rugged terrain, requiring physical preparation and optics for cross-canyon spotting. Public-land breakdown for Unit 15 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 - Nov 3
Deer
Archery • Regular Deer Tag
Archery
Regular Deer Tag
Aug 30 - Sep 30
White-tailed Deer
Any Weapon • White-tailed Deer Tag
Any Weapon
White-tailed Deer Tag
Oct 10 - Nov 20
White-tailed Deer
Archery • White-tailed Deer Tag
Archery
White-tailed Deer Tag
Aug 30 - Sep 30
Elk
Archery • A Tag
Archery
A Tag
Aug 30 - Sep 30
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 30
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
Apr 1 - Nov 14
Gray Wolf
Any Weapon • General
Any Weapon
General
Nov 15 - Mar 31
Gray Wolf
Trapping • General
Trapping
General
Dec 1 - Feb 28
Prepare for the Hunt
Success in Unit 15 requires understanding the rugged mountains 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
Common Questions
Where is Unit 15?
Located in the Elk City Zone with rugged mountains terrain.
Is it public land?
Unit 15 is approximately 92.8% public. See full breakdown below.
Land Ownership
USFS90.06%
Private7.25%
BLM2.4%
State0.28%
Other0.01%
Source: IDFG Hunt Planner · Inside Idaho
Unit 15 Boundary
That portion of IDAHO COUNTY within the following boundary: beginning at Grangeville on State Highway 13, then northeast on State Highway 13 to the South Fork of the Clearwater River, then downstream to the road along Sally Ann Creek, then along the road to the town of Clearwater, then southeast along Forest Service Road 284 to Forest Service Road 464, then east along Forest Service Road 464 to the watershed divide between the South Fork Clearwater and Selway Rivers, then southeast along the divide over Forest Service Trail 835 to Anderson Butte, then south over Forest Service Trail 505 to Black Hawk Mountain and Soda Creek Point to Montana Road (Forest Service Road 468), then west on Montana Road to the Red River Ranger Station-Mackay Bar Road (Forest Service Road 222) then southwest on Red River Ranger Station-Mackay Bar Road to Dixie Summit, then west along the watershed divide between the South Fork Clearwater and Salmon Rivers over the Crooked River-Big Creek Divide, Orogrande Summit and Square Mountain to Moores Guard Station-Adams Ranger Station Road (Forest Service Road 444), then west on Moores Guard Station-Adams Ranger Station Road to Grangeville-Salmon River Road (Forest Service Road 221), then north on Grangeville-Salmon River Road to the point of beginning.
Elk City Zone Context
North-Central Idaho — Clearwater National Forest
Elk City sits at the confluence of historic mining country and dense Clearwater timber. The zone holds a strong general elk population and reasonable road access compared to its wilderness neighbors. The Magruder Corridor and the upper Selway River define its eastern edge.
Elk City itself is the only meaningful supply point. Fuel is limited; bring what you need. Most roads open by late June.
See all units in the Elk City ZonePlanning
Primary Region
Clearwater & Nez Perce
Nearest Supplies
Hunters typically basecamp or resupply in Lewiston, Orofino, Grangeville.
Climate Outlook
Steep, rugged canyons and dense forests. River valleys are mild, high country is severe.
Authorities
Always verify regulations with official government entities before heading into the backcountry.
Explore Elk City Zone Units
Season dates and tag rules sourced from Idaho Fish and Game proclamations. Original IDFG entry for Unit 15: view source.