Forest Grouse
HABITAT
Conifer forests with shrub understory and areas near creeks and wild berries.
TASTE
Tender, white meat. Similar flavor to chicken. Excellent table fare.
ABUNDANCE
Excellent populations statewide.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license.
Pheasant
HABITAT
On WMA’s, or near agriculture fields, in grassy habitat with sage or cattails.
TASTE
Tender white meat has a similar taste to chicken.
ABUNDANCE
Low to moderate populations statewide.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license, WMA permit if hunting on a Wildlife Management Area or private land stocked by Idaho Fish and Game.
Quail
HABITAT
Dense shrub vegetation at low to adjacent elevations or agriculture fields.
TASTE
Tender, white meat. Similar flavor to chicken. Excellent table fare.
ABUNDANCE
Good populations along rivers and streams with brushy cover below 3,500 feet in elevation.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license.
Turkey
HABITAT
Grassy, forested habitat or shrub habitat with grass or agriculture nearby.
TASTE
Lean white meat breast, and dark meat legs. Similar taste to farm-raised turkey.
ABUNDANCE
The population continues to grow. Found in certain Idaho regions.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license, turkey tag.
Gray Partridge
HABITAT
Grassland in gently rolling terrain, and near a water source.
TASTE
Dark, lean meat with a rich flavor. Excellent table fare.
ABUNDANCE
Moderate populations in certain Idaho regions (Southwestern, Central & Northern Idaho).
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license.
Duck
HABITAT
Ponds, lakes, rivers, grain fields, and freshwater marshes.
TASTE
Rich, dark meat. Good table fare.
ABUNDANCE
Good to excellent populations, statewide.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license, Migratory Bird (HIP) Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp (For hunters age 16 and older).
Goose
HABITAT
Ponds, lakes, rivers, grain fields, and freshwater marshes.
TASTE
Dark meat, with a rich flavor. Good table fare.
ABUNDANCE
Good to Excellent populations, found statewide.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license, Migratory Bird (HIP) Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp (For hunters age 16 or older).
Rabbit
HABITAT
Ample amounts of cover, such as dense sagebrush, juniper thickets, thick forb, and riparian vegetation, as well as forest edge habitats.
TASTE
Juicy, dark meat. Good to excellent table fare.
ABUNDANCE
Moderate populations, statewide.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license.
Elk
HABITAT
Sagebrush-covered deserts, aspen draws above farm fields, high mountain meadows, or thick timbered ridges.
TASTE
Lean, tender meat that tastes similar to beef. Excellent table fare.
ABUNDANCE
Excellent populations.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license and elk tag. Archery permit if hunting in archery only season. Muzzleloader permit if hunting in muzzleloader only season.
Deer
HABITAT
Conifer forests, shrub terrain with aspen stands, sagebrush steppe, grasslands, and adjacent to agricultural lands.
TASTE
Lean rich meat, flavor somewhere between beef and lamb. Good to excellent table fare.
ABUNDANCE
Excellent populations.
LICENSE, TAGS AND PERMITS NEEDED
Valid Idaho hunting license and deer tag. Archery permit if hunting in archery only season. Muzzleloader permit if hunting in muzzleloader only season.