Southwest region
Idaho Unit 46 — free Idaho hunting map
Unit 46 is an Idaho Game Management Unit in the Southwest region. Its boundary on HuntTrack comes from Idaho Fish & Game GIS unit data, the same layer already drawn on the live map, alongside USGS PAD-US land ownership, county parcel ownership, Idaho Recreation Trails routes and iNaturalist wildlife sightings.
Scouting Unit 46
Southwest Idaho runs from Boise foothills into the Owyhee canyonlands: high desert, sagebrush benches and basalt rims. Mule deer are the main draw, with pronghorn on the open flats and chukar in the rims. This is spot-and-stalk country — big views, long glassing sessions, and wind that rarely sits still. Water is the pattern-setter: springs, guzzlers and creek pockets concentrate animals, and early-season heat makes first-and-last-light hunts far more productive than midday pushes.
Key species here: Mule deer, Pronghorn, Chukar.
2026 season dates for Unit 46
Idaho runs general deer and elk seasons on over-the-counter tags in most units, alongside controlled (draw) hunts. The statewide 2026 framework below is a starting point — exact dates, weapon restrictions and antler rules vary by unit, so confirm Unit 46 in the IDFG hunt planner before you hunt.
- Archery — deer & elk (general)
- August 30 – September 30, 2026 in most units and elk zones. Archery permit required.
- Any-weapon deer (general)
- Opens October 10, 2026 in most units. Closing dates are unit-specific — commonly October 24, October 31, November 20 or December 1 depending on the unit and species.
- Any-weapon elk (general)
- Opens October 10, 2026 in most of Idaho's 28 elk zones and typically runs through October 24. Zones set their own dates and A/B tag rules — the zone, not just the unit, decides when your tag is valid.
- Controlled hunts
- 2026 controlled-hunt applications ran May 1 – June 5. Draw hunts layer additional dates and quotas on top of the general seasons above.
Season dates spot-checked against IDFG's 2026 Big Game Seasons & Rules on Oct 6, 2026. Regulations can change mid-season — confirm Unit 46 in the IDFG hunt planner before you hunt.
Tags for Unit 46
Idaho's Regular Deer Tag is valid for mule deer or white-tailed deer during general seasons, and a dedicated White-tailed Deer Tag opens additional opportunities in designated units. Nonresident general tags are quota-limited. Check current availability and the exact tag valid in Unit 46 in the IDFG hunt planner.
Always confirm unit boundaries, land status and season rules against Idaho Fish & Game before you hunt.