Updated: F&G Commission approves cuts to antlerless deer and antelope hunts to help herds recover

Fish and Game Commissioners in March approved the following changes to deer and pronghorn hunts for 2024. Many of these hunts were also altered in 2023 to help mule deer and pronghorn recover after the harsh 2023-24 winter. 

These changes will be reflected in the 2024 Big Game Seasons and Rules booklet: 

Controlled deer hunts and Landowner Appreciation Permits converted from either sex to antlered only

• Controlled Hunt No. 1070 (Hunt Area 73, 40 tags.)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 1357 (Hunt Area 73, 4 tags.)
• Controlled Hunt No. 1083 (Hunt Area 68A, Unlimited tags.)
• Controlled Hunt No. 1098 (Hunt Area 68, 20 tags)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 1377 (Hunt Area 68, 2 tags)
• Controlled Hunt No. 1099 (Controlled Hunt Area 73A, 20 tags)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 1378 (Hunt Area 73A, 2 tags)
• Controlled Hunt No. 1100 (Controlled Hunt Area 74, 20 tags)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 1379 (Hunt Area 74, 2 tags)

Hunts changed to white-tailed deer only for the 2024 hunting season to assist mule deer recovery

• Controlled Hunt No. 1140 (Hunt Area 68AX, 50 tags, extra antlerless)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 1399 (Hunt Area 68AX, 5 tags, extra antlerless)

Staff recommend the following deer hunts be closed for the 2024 hunting season

• Controlled Hunt No. 1064 (Controlled Hunt Area 60-1, 100 tags, antlerless only)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 1351 (Hunt Area 60-1, 10 tags, antlerless only)
• Controlled Hunt No. 1116 (Hunt Area 73-1X, 50 tags, youth only, extra antlerless)
• Controlled Hunt No. 1141 (Hunt Area 70-1X, 50 tags, extra antlerless)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 1400 (Hunt Area 70-1X, 5 tags, extra antlerless)

Either sex and doe/fawn pronghorn hunts removed for the 2024 hunting season

• Controlled Hunt No. 4022 (Hunt Area 60A-1, 15 tags, either sex)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 4321 (Hunt Area 60A-1, 2 tags, either sex)
• Controlled Hunt No. 4025 (Hunt Area 76-1, 5 tags, either sex)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 4324 (Hunt Area 76-1, 1 tag, either sex)
• Controlled Hunt No. 4027 (Hunt Area 63-2, 10 tags, doe or fawn)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 4326 (Hunt Area 63-2, 1 tag, doe or fawn)
• Controlled Hunt No. 4028 (Hunt Area 63-3, 10 tags, doe or fawn)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 4327 (Hunt Area 63-3, 1 tag, doe or fawn)
• Controlled Hunt No. 4043 (Hunt Area 60A-1, 40 tags, either sex)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 4332 (Hunt Area 60A-1, 4 tags, either sex)
• Controlled Hunt No. 4052 (Hunt Area 61-1, 25 tags, either sex)
• LAP Controlled Hunt No. 4341 (Hunt Area 61-1, 3 tags, either sex)

“We recognize the sensitivity of antlerless mule deer hunts, and have also heard concerns from hunters,” said Toby Boudreau, Fish and Game’s Deer and Elk Coordinator. “Despite a much-needed mild winter this year, we still want to give east Idaho’s mule deer and pronghorn populations some more recovery time.”