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Idaho
Unit 3.
Planning guide for Game Management Unit 3, 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 3.
See Pro pricingTerrainDense Forest
OwnershipLand breakdown unavailable
Access DifficultySee IDFG
Key SpeciesBlack Bear
Season TypeGeneral & Controlled
ZonePanhandle
Unit 3 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 3 (GMU 3) 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 3 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 3 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
Common Questions
Where is Unit 3?
Located in the Panhandle Zone with dense forest terrain.
Is it public land?
Unit 3 is approximately 57.5% public. See full breakdown below.
Land Ownership
USFS51.94%
Private42.49%
Other2.51%
State2.31%
BLM0.76%
Source: IDFG Hunt Planner · Inside Idaho
Unit 3 Boundary
Those portions of KOOTENAI, SHOSHONE, and BENEWAH COUNTIES within the following boundary: beginning at Mission Point on the St. Joe River and State Highway 3, then northeast on State Highway 3 to Interstate 90, then east on Interstate 90 to Kingston, then north on Forest Highway 9 (North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River Road) to Forest Service Road 209 (Little North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River Road), then northwest along Forest Service Road 209 then north along Forest Road 385 to the watershed divide between the Coeur d'Alene River and Pend Oreille Lake, then northwest along the divide to Bernard Peak, then north to Steamboat Rock on Pend Oreille Lake, then west along the lake shore to the south boundary of Farragut State Park, then west along the boundary to State Highway 54 at the west entrance of Farragut State Park, then west on State Highway 54 to U.S. 95, then south on U.S. 95 to Coeur d'Alene Lake, then southeast along the eastern shoreline of Coeur d'Alene and Round Lakes to the point of beginning.
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 ZonePlanning
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.
Season dates and tag rules sourced from Idaho Fish and Game proclamations. Original IDFG entry for Unit 3: view source.